Compost advice please

[8875june]

I have a double allotment which has a Poly tunnel and 12 beds which add up to over 150 sq meters, plus several fruit trees and bushes. When I took it over last Christmas it hadn't been used for nearly two years. It was very over grown and a mass of weeds. The soil is very dry and stoney but not sandy. This year I cleared and planted 9 of the beds. I want to try and improve the soil and give it some nutrients. I first looked into buying rotted farmyard manure, which worked out very expensive. My allotment neighbour ( also a novice gardener) suggested planting green manure. Does anyone on here use this?
I have found one called GRAZING RYE, it's for all soil types, it can be planted now and dug in early spring. If I plant this would it be sufficient compost for the soil.
Do you know if this green manure can be planted around gooseberry/ blackcurrant bushes and amongst rhubarb

[Bren In Pots]

June I can't help with your question instead here's some older threads about green manure, hope thye help :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...how_87116.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ave_88104.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ure_82187.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...dig_68158.html

[Scarlet]

That's a whole lot of digging you will have to do come Spring! They will need to be dug in wh n you have the other beds to clear and a million and one other jobs to do ( in my opinion) unless you are retired and have lots of time on your hands!

I think good mulches are the way to go. Loads of cardboard, newspaper, leaves, well rotted manure if you can get hold of it. Layer it up and leave it. It will be much easier to plant up come Spring. Adding to your soil is a slow process, just keep mulching. Card, newspapers will keep the weeds down too, I add lots of chopped grass during the cutting months.

[nickdub]

The rye helps with soil structure and conserves nutrients so they don't get washed out over winter but doesn't add any.Green manures which add nutrients include field beans which can be sown now and lupins, usually Spring sown.


I'd probably compromise by covering some of the plot with cardboard and compost etc and sowing some with crops putting them in places depending on what you plan to do with the ground next year. If you have any clear plastic sheets like old poly-carbonate ones, they are good for covering areas which have been mulched so warming the soil in the spring for early sowing.

[Cadalot]

Informative advice can be found at

Green Manures - Uses & Types of Green Manures

and

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=373

[8875june]

Thank you all for your links and advice. I would prefer to use rotted manure and mulch but I have been composting grass cuttings, vegetable waste etc since January, which may be useable next year. I also intend to collect as many leaves in my area come autumn, my problem is the vast area to cover. When I have googled to buy rotted manure all I get are 50L bags which will cover 2 square metres, which I think you can dig in before planting in the spring. I need a lorry load from a farm or stables. I will read up and the info you guys have given me and plant some green manure, some Mulch and some of the rotted in bags. Thank you all for your help.

[8875june]

Please can someone tell me if I can compost grapevine leaves ? Tomato Plants? Apart from Rhubarb and potatoe leaves is there anything else I can't compost?

[Mr Bones]

I do, in fact I compost all that you've mentioned including the rhubarb and spud leaves. I don't compost tomatoes (the seeds will grow next year), weed/plant seeds for the same reason, pernicious weed roots (nettles, couch grass, bindweed etc.) and very woody stuff like two inch thick kale stems. They will compost but it takes ages. Always a good idea to cut stuff up into small pieces if you can as it helps speed up the process.

[fishpond]

Please can someone tell me if I can compost grapevine leaves ? Tomato Plants? Apart from Rhubarb and potato leaves, is there anything else I can't compost?

Whoever told you that was missing out on some compost.

The only greenstuff that doesn't go in my bins are old bramble canes, bindweed & a few other tenacious weeds.
Most of the household paper and cardboard waste also goes in.

[8875june]

I thought Rhubbarb leaves and Potato leaves were poisonous ... is this not true

I have googled it ... Rhibbarb leaves are poisonous!

[Martin H]

Yes, those leaves are poisonous to eat, as are many other garden plants. But it doesn't affect the compost, nor does it affect edible plants grown in the compost thus made.

[8875june]

Thank you Martin H for telling me this I have a very large Rhubbarb bed that I need to clear as it has got out of hand, if I chop up the roots can I compost them too?

[bario1]

Rhubarb roots are almost indestructible, and are more likely to turn your compost into Rhubarb than the other way round! Bin them, burn them or drown them.

[veggiechicken]

...........or give them to your plot neighbours.

[fishpond]

Whoever told you that was missing out on some compost.

The only greenstuff that doesn't go in my bins are old bramble canes, bindweed & a few other tenacious weeds.
Most of the household paper and cardboard waste also goes in.

Sorry, meant to type Raspberry/Blackberry/Bramble canes.

Drown or burn the rhubarb roots then put in the compost bin(s)
You do not need to dig in compost/manure, I would advise not to. Just lay it on the ground up to 4" thick and let the worms do the work, this way the soil bacteria doesn't get destroyed, the soil structure does not get destroyed, and you do not get a bad back.
If you can afford to put a 2"layer of compost/manure on a small patch (say 5ft by 5ft)in the next few weeks, plant with something in the spring and compare with the rest of the allotment later in the year---the difference will be very noticeable.
Everything that has lived once (with the exception of a few tenacious weeds---the average compost bin for a normal house hold doesn't generate enough heat for long enough to kill the stuff off) can be composted, just be aware that meat/fish etc will attract vermin.
It is a slow process, as the more you grow the more you can compost, therefore the more you can grow, and the soil improves its water and nutrient holding capability all the time___so less time spent watering and more time to drink tea and plan your next project.
Just remember it is not a race, it all takes time.