[allstars_princess]

Hello all.  I am thinking of using this years compost heap to grow some veggies in next year.  It is made up of garden waste, chicken poo (lots), pigeon poo (a little) and some horse manure. It is about a metre square.  I turned it all over at the weekend and the stuff seems to be turning into great compost already.  I have already built another bin for next season and was wondering:

1. Has anyone done this before and did it work?

2. Which veggies would you recommend?

3. Will the poo be too strong for any plants?

Thanks.

[Novice]

Can't really help I'm afraid, I tried courgettes in my pile of old horse muck, and they grew a bit but didn't really produce any courgettes, (but the 4 plants in the beds gave me hundreds !!!)

[Kate and her Ducks]

I've heard that pumpkins are good but never tried it.

[compostqueen]

courgettes and squashes should work.  Outdoor cues too     Strawbs don't mind fresh poo so will grow fine in a year old stuff. You could always pile it into a bin or container as I find that blackbirds throw the stuff everywhere, or was I just unlucky.  I grew loads of courgettes, this year and last, in the bags which the poo was delivered in. I rolled the bags down to neaten them up and planted a courgette or squash in each, where they stood as I couldn't be bothered to move them. I have a bad hip so only do what I'm capable of. It was so successful though I saw no reason not to do it again      They grow well in the dalek compost bins or dustbins too.  the compost tends to slump so I'd add more and firm it down before planting, even then you might need to top up as the muck or compo tends to keep rotting down

[poppies]

Hi we did this  on 3 year old chicken manure, we planted pumpkins butternut squash, turks turbins, marrows and courgettes, and they went mad - i'm sure people used to hide when they saw me coming with more marrows and courgettes, the squashes we have stored for the winter, also the brassicas in the next bed are bigger one side which i think must be caused by the run off as we are on a slight slope  - so i think its well worth a try.

[sheridal]

We did this unintentionally, saw a big leaved plant growing in the compost heap and it turned out to be butternut squash (obviously I must have thrown some seeds on with the rest of the kitchen waste) They are not as advanced as the BNS in the veggie plot, but they are about 3" long.

[Big Jen]

I grew spaghetti and butternut squashes in mine and have had a fantastic harvest so will definately try it again next year.
BJ

[lincspoacher]

Apparently, piles of  Kangaroo Manure are superb for germinating bamboo seeds.

[Lemon]

Apparently, piles of  Kangaroo Manure are superb for germinating bamboo seeds.

right......thanks....... :shock:   I was wondering what to do with all the kangaroo poo I have here   :?