[strider84]

Hi all,

I've been added to my compost heap since July last year when I started it afresh.

The heap has had a lot of grass cuttings due to our very large lawn but I did try and turn it as much as possible I did feared towards the end of last year that the heap would have to much green in it and would just be a slimey smelly horrible mess.

However on turning it this week it just appears black and twiggy no compost as such the heap has remained uncovered but gets sun for most of the day.

Just wondering firstly whether its just a case of it not quite being broken down enough and would it be worth adding any of it to my veg patch yet?

Thanks

Matt

[mumofstig]

If it isn't slimy and smelly then you can use it - when you spread it just rake off anything that's too twiggy and put it back in the bottom of the new heap 

[Trillium]

Sounds like you need to add more greens and water and some manure to the heap to get it cooking. Once the cooking starts, it'll break down everything.

[strider84]

I'd be suprised if it needs more greens or water its been left uncovered since last summer and we've had the wettest winter on record. Last summer whilst mowing I was putting 100 metre x 100 metre of lawn clippings on the pile weekly.

There are some clumps of grass in some places amongst the compost but this is to be expected as it wasn't turned from late summer.

Anyway I will use what I can and add the stuff that isn't broken down back to the pile Many thanks

[jezza]

 hi i make compost from 2500 square yard lawn weekly it gets nettletops comfrey and comfrey on it ,its started in a 10 by 6 foot bin then turned into a 6by 4 foot bin then finished in a 4 by 4 foot bin then left for a year just emptied last years 11 big barrow loads   jezza