[fatbelly]

Hi,
I have a dalek nearly full of black gold, or to put it another way composted material that has been rotting down for over 12 months and is ready to put on the plot.

I was told this weekend that i shouldn't put the compost on my plot in the autumn because if i do the winter rains will wash out all the goodness and that I should put it on the plot next spring.

Which is correct?

Thanks.

[Knight Family]

I understood you do both. but I could be very much wrong!

[Cleo]

The rain will wash it away if you put it on top....

s'why you dig it in

This autumn and in spring if possible.

[DIGGER]

I have been waiting for the forum experts to answer this one as I can see the logic in the question.
I was under the impression that compost will enhance the soil and replace whats been taken out of it at any time of the year dug in or laid on top for the worms to take down.
My compost bins need emptying so on it will go.

[Ice]

I put a Dalek full of black gold on my veg plot this morning.  The worms will take it in.  As for the rain washing it out, well unless it rains sideways I can't see that happening.

[compostqueen]

I think text books say add it in spring but I'd certainly use some now if planting out winter onions, garlic and shallots

You can plonk the stuff on empty beds as a winter mulch to keep your beds in good condition, as you would manure. It really depends if you have enough.  If not I'd be more stingy with it and use it in the immediate planting area when planting or sowing

[Ice]

I've got two Daleks full, nah na na na na.   I never thought I could get so excited about compost as I did today when I saw how good it was.  Can't believe all those veggies, cardboard and tea bags etc could turn into that. :shock:   Marvelous stuff.

[peapod]

I put a Dalek full of black gold on my veg plot this morning.  The worms will take it in.  As for the rain washing it out, well unless it rains sideways I can't see that happening.

Fully agreed, Ive laid my horse muck (not fully rotted) on top of a bed this week, and the worms can do the work for me, Ill dig over in spring before I plant. All the leaching of the nutrients from rainfall can only go down!
(ok so there might be bit of loss through evaporation but not enough to matter Im sure:-) )

[Ice]

Only the H2O will evaporate.  Sorry, I don't know how to write that formula properly on here.

[peapod]

Only the H2O will evaporate.

Then Im happy  

[compostqueen]

It sure is     Lovely stuff, all crumbly and gorgeous.  you can sieve it if you need it to sow seeds in it       I've started the makings of my next binful.  Piles of pumpkin and courgette foliage piled on the plot waiting for it to slump down so I can get more in the bin

[Ice]

I found grass clippings a problem as they caused a slimy layer that absolutely stank.  But hopefully, with turning it a bit more that will not be a problem next time.

[Knight Family]

Well I think I'm going to create 2 / 3 more bins over the next couple of weeks, the only trouble will be finding some pallets.

[lincspoacher]

Only the H2O will evaporate.  

No, the free nitrogen in the compost will wash out over winter.

Put simply, the nutrients in fertilisers come in two forms, free and fixed. Fixed nitrogen's, for example, have to be involved in a chemical process with the plant at molecular level for the plant to absorb them, otherwise they stay put. Free nitrogen's can interact with rainwater and break down that way, so effectively are washed out by rain. Same applies to Phosphorus and Potassium salts.

best strategy is dig it over, dig the compost in, and then cover it with a plastic sheet till next spring. You'll be able to root iron rods in it then.

[peapod]

dammit, does that mean digging it in? id better warn OH then :-)

No, the free nitrogen in the compost will wash out over winter.

but can i ask LP? wash out where? they can only go downwards to my way of thinking!