What can I plant on compost heap?

[Demeter]

We have an open mesh compost bin which is full but which has not yet rotted down and we don't want to touch it until next year...

So I've heard a lot of talk about planting things in compost heaps and wondered - can we plant in a compost bin while we wait for stuff to rot down or does it have to be rotted already for this to work? And I was also wondering whether the fact that it is "new" and therefore - we hope! - going to be hot would be a problem or a benefit.

If we can do this, any tips or ideas for what to plant would be much appreciated. The things I've got going which are potential candidates at the mo are: courgettes, melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, okra and (I think) butternut squash. Would any of those work? Or even flowers? The site of the bin has dappled shade for the first part of the day, full sun throughout the afternoon and evening.

Thank you!

[Alice]

Your courgettes and squash should do well Demeter.
As for flowers, I know the conventional wisdom says nasturiums prefer poor ground, but the best nasturtiums I ever had were growing on top of the compst heap.
See what others think.

[mrs baggins]

yes reckon the squash will do well. I read somewhere that you can effectively just plant them into manure so reckon compost heap is about the same!

[Paulottie]

Yeah, Go with the pumpkin. It is quite an old idea that works well. I grew a monster like this one year. Hate to disagree with Alice but I'd avoid nasturtiums as they will seed on the heap and you'll have them everywhere next year.

[kernowyon]

i have grown and am currently growing the halloween pumpkins from the top of the heap, as the leaves get bigger they also shade the heap helping it retain moisture.

[Two_Sheds]

I grew Butternut on my heap in '05, but they didn't do as well as the ones planted in the ordinary soil ~ too much leaf, not enough fruit.

[Madasafish]

I grew tomatoes last year. Slugs were a major problem. (we have zillions from the surrounding fields).

I made a hollow on the top and added potting compost mixed with crushed eggshells and woodash. They were outdoor tomatoes (sub arctic) and grew OK but our summer was cool and wet so it was not a success...

[Vegetarian Fox]

My grandad always grew courgettes on the top on his 1 yr old heap to great success

[Demeter]

Thanks everyone - I think I'll stick one of the pumpkins on there as they are so space-hungry it seems the most efficient thing to do with it! I'll give them some finished compost to get them going and see what I can come up with slug-wise.

Now - what can I interplant with me sweetcorn... the courgettes?

[percy charlie]

in my percy thrower book he recommends growing marrows as you never see them for sale in the supermarket maybe something different to try

[Paulottie]

Percy Thrower!...takes me back!

Always come back to a marrow or two after my summer holidays! I think smaller the better and few of them is good with marrows. I enjoy the occasional stuffed marrow but to be frank...They are tough fibrous tasteless things!

You might try the cukes with the sweetcorn, but If your going with the courgettes keep them toward the edge so you can pick them ( unless you like marrows!)

[heebiejeebie]

cool! I'm going to put a halloween pumpkin on mine. Is it too late to plant from seed? Should I buy a plant from the GC?

[Paulottie]

No I don't think it is too late to sow in 4" pots. Harden off when you have two proper leaves. Cut off all but one fruit for a monster one.

[gojiberry]

Potatoes would be my choice, you will get a bigger than normal crop. the leaves will shade the heap and conserve moisture, and the potatoes tend to be nice and clean. One of my heaps is currently planted up with potatoes. The thing with courgettes on top of a heap tends to be the wind and the damage it can cause. Plant your courgettes on a bit of a hollow.

Ian

gojilottie updated 27 May 08

[Rich75]

spuds should do fine.. best crop i ever had was when i stuck them in a 3 months old pile of stable yard manure.. they went nuts and the spuds all came out nice and clean