[Growster...]

It'll soon be time to hoik out the brassicas as they're nearly finished. (Brussels, kale, PSB)

There's some club root in the occasional spot, but mostly they're keeping well behaved. The club rooted stuff will be sent off somewhere nasty, but the healthy roots and stems will get composted.

My question is though, how does one get the stems composted because they're as hard as nails, and if they were at home, I'd shred them, but there's no power down at the Patch!

What do others do please? I don't mind having another heap going, but surely they'll rot down in a year won't they? Its so long since we grew them last time (1988), I've totally forgotten...

[DD.]

Chuck 'em in yer bean trench!

[mumofstig]

snap 

[savbo]

I seem to remember someone recommending a few whacks with a club(root? ) hammer before they go in the compost

[Growster...]

Oh great - thanks DD, Mum and Sav! I was going to start a trench when the ground warmed up, and they'll be perfect for that! I also have some other old woody stuff left over from the previous tenant, and that can go in as well!

Funny when the answer's staring you in the face...;0)

[Spana]

I give mine to the chickens.  They have a lovely time pecking out the softer middle  from hard stems and clear up everything from stuff like broccoli.

[sunshineband]

I give mine to the chickens.  They have a lovely time pecking out the softer middle  from hard stems and clear up everything from stuff like broccoli.

Mine go to chickens too, albeit not my own ones 

[Growster...]

I give mine to the chickens.  They have a lovely time pecking out the softer middle  from hard stems and clear up everything from stuff like broccoli.

Interesting that Spana and KC! I asked some chook-meisters further down the plots if they would like some carrots which had been flied, and they said that their chickens needed their carrots cooked, as they stuck in their throats!

Apart from asking Mrs Growster if she'd mind me cooking up three dozen great big stalks (instant removal of friendship and love etc), I rather like the idea of burying them with all the harder stuff for this coming year's beans!

Stendsterreason I spose...

[totalnovice]

I use a nice sharpe spade and chop them up - not only do they compsot quicker but my arms get a great work out!
 

[Growster...]

I use a nice sharpe spade and chop them up - not only do they compsot quicker but my arms get a great work out!
 

I had to saw some of them Totes!

Clearly you are fitter and stronger than me...;0)

[Spana]

]

 I asked some chook-meisters further down the plots if they would like some carrots which had been flied, and they said that their chickens needed their carrots cooked, as they stuck in their throats!

Mine wont touch raw carrots either, but eat them cooked.  Brassica stems must be different, they are eaten raw easily

[Headgardener22]

I use a nice sharpe spade and chop them up - not only do they compsot quicker but my arms get a great work out!
 

I had to saw some of them Totes!

Clearly you are fitter and stronger than me...;0)

Use a bigger spade or an axe!

[Growster...]

I use a nice sharpe spade and chop them up - not only do they compsot quicker but my arms get a great work out!
 

I had to saw some of them Totes!

Clearly you are fitter and stronger than me...;0)

Use a bigger spade or an axe!

Ha ha ha Head!

I've just bent my spade - it is a bit thin after all this time, and the axe is really a beast...

I like the idea of giving them a good burial, and chucking in a load more old stuff as well!

[gobs]

It'll soon be time to hoik out the brassicas as they're nearly finished. (Brussels, kale, PSB)

There's some club root in the occasional spot, but mostly they're keeping well behaved. The club rooted stuff will be sent off somewhere nasty, but the healthy roots and stems will get composted.

My question is though, how does one get the stems composted because they're as hard as nails, and if they were at home, I'd shred them, but there's no power down at the Patch!

What do others do please? I don't mind having another heap going, but surely they'll rot down in a year won't they? Its so long since we grew them last time (1988), I've totally forgotten...

In my opinion, you do not keep any. Even do not have club root, for you will do, if you do. Burn or other get rid of.

[leeks r us]

Im with Gobs on that one I always burn brassica stalks best place for em!