[MJS]

I started making compost last year and have put all appropriate waste onto it. thing is, I don't know when it's ready to use. What is it supposed to look like when it's ready? I've only ever seen shop bought compost. This one wa started in May and has been added to and regulary turned until November.

[Plot 6B]

Thats exactly what it should look like.
Nice and crumbly with a nice earthy smell.
In saying that mine does not always look like that and I have to sieve the bigger bits out and pop them back onto the compost heap

[MJS]

Thats exactly what it should look like.
Nice and crumbly with a nice earthy smell.
In saying that mine does not always look like that and I have to sieve the bigger bits out and pop them back onto the compost heap

Thanks Nige, mine has a bit to go I think, but it seems to be doing ok.

[compostqueen]

When it gets some sun on it things will speed up. You could poke it with a stick to get some air into it, or turn it a bit if you're feeling strong 

When it's cooked you shouldn't be able to see its constituent parts, except twigs which can get chucked or used to start the bottom of the next bin.

It is lovely stuff once properly "cooked" and won't smell nasty.  It is marvellous stuff and you'll be dead chuffed with yourself

[stompy]

Is it feasibly posibly to create enough compost for an allotment from it's own waste and home waste?

I can only just make enough for the greenhouse borders let alone enough for one of my beds!

How much do you make CQ?

sorry to hijack the thread a little

[MJS]

When it gets some sun on it things will speed up. You could poke it with a stick to get some air into it, or turn it a bit if you're feeling strong 

When it's cooked you shouldn't be able to see its constituent parts, except twigs which can get chucked or used to start the bottom of the next bin.

It is lovely stuff once properly "cooked" and won't smell nasty.  It is marvellous stuff and you'll be dead chuffed with yourself

Thank you

[casper]

 Just read your post and would love to attemp compost. All I know is you need a mix of greens and browns. Are browns like brown paper, teabags, branches etc and greens like old fruit,veg and weeds 
I made something by accident over the winter. It was weeeds and grass thet reduced to soil. It is not compost, but I would love to recycle my household waste, also can you compost straight on the ground or do you have to raise it from the ground like on a pallet? I have a corner that is gravelled and a bit useless and thought this would make a good spot as near back of allotment. PS hope I havent hijacked topic

[bigben]

Is it feasibly posibly to create enough compost for an allotment from it's own waste and home waste?

I can only just make enough for the greenhouse borders let alone enough for one of my beds!

How much do you make CQ?

sorry to hijack the thread a little

Last year I told a couple of neighbours I would get rid of their grass and hedge cuttings for them. I also cut the grass and the leaves that had fallen on the lawn for my next door neighbours who is on her own. It really did "fill out " the compost I had been able to produce but meant I had to either get more compost bins at home or regularly cart stuff to my allotment to compost. So in answer to your question stompy - if your prepared to do the work you could manage it but I doubt you would get enough from just your own stuff unless you have a really big garden.

Casper - your correct on the browns and greens - grass and privet would also count as greens. Paper, cardboard, egg boxes etc would count as browns. You will be ok making compost in your corner but I would suggest getting a compost bin to do it in. This helps keep heat in and rats out. You can just put it on your gravel.

[MJS]

interesting stuff. Though at the moment, i need my egg boxes for chitting my spuds!

[compostqueen]

The compost made from the kitchen waste is great stuff as there's no weed seeds in it  

I make a lot of compost as I have many bins   I seem to attract bins. Folks know I am a keen composter and so gift their unwanted bins to me.  Some people it seems are not interested in making compost, unbelievable as that might seem    I also have a leaf bin and a large pallet bin.  I have bins at home and on the allotment.  You can never have too many    I am always on the look out on Freecycle and have managed to get one so far.

I keep a builders rubble sack on the plot for holding my grass mowings in and add them to the compost bins occasionally, which really causes the contents to get red hot in summer. Site your bin where it will get loads of sun and it will "cook" faster.  I compost everything I can get my hands on, adding comfrey and water occasionally, and give it an occasional prod and stir to get some air into it

[mumofstig]

From my small plot & garden I manage to fill 2 daleks during the course of the year, but by spring and time to spread it....each bin is only about a 1/4full and that doesn't go far at all does it 

[compostqueen]

No it doesn't go far so you have to use it like gold dust    I use it for specific jobs rather than scattering it about.   

[casper]

Hehe so now I need to scrounge bins as well as egg cartons

[compostqueen]

Keep your eyes peeled on Freecycle    Sometimes your local council might have a promotion on whereby you can get a cheap one.

I use black dustbins (complete with lids) too if I can get my hands on them.  I have three at the moment and have drilled holes in just the bases. 

Egg boxes are good for putting into the bottom of the kitchen peely bin as they absorb any excess moisture 

[JayG]

My 100' back garden is surrounded by privet hedges (and some more in the front!) and the clippings form the majority of what goes into my 3 daleks.

On its own it's not the best composting material in the world, but it helps keep me "honest" when it comes to getting the trimmers out as woody clippings take forever to rot down. 

One of the daleks lives near the kitchen and takes all the peelings and whatnot - I'm possibly unnecessarily cautious but I use that compost on areas like the asparagus bed and raspberries just in case some of the kitchen waste was infected with something I wouldn't want to add to my spuds, tomatoes or allium crops (don't grow brassicas, except radishes.)