heavy clay soil/compost bin

[flossie]

2 years ago I had new fencing all round the garden. This left me with several large piles of heavy clay soil where they dug out for posts. Can I add small amounts of the sub soil to my bin to break it down? Will my compost improve the heavy soil or will the clay stuff spoil my compost? I want my compost for adding to bought compost for growing veg in containers.
Also, I know that lots of you add animal bedding to your bins? As I haven't any would a handful of chicken pellet manure thrown in the bin improve the compost or would it be a waste of time and money?

[Two_Sheds]

Is it subsoil?
Or is it clay top soil?
If it's top soil, spread it around your garden. Sub soil should stay under the ground, so dig a hole and bury it.

Chicken pellets are for feeding plants ... if you want to activate your compost to make it rot quicker, add nettles, comfrey or urine (yes, your own).

[womble]

if you want to activate your compost to make it rot quicker, add nettles, comfrey or urine (yes, your own).

ewwwww


LOL

Don't add too much though, I've found a compost bin only really needs some when you want it to ..go! And then stop putting it in, otherwise it will get too wet.

Then you start putting it on other things, woody waste, leaf piles and using it fertilising plants.
Be sure to tell anyone that visits btw, stops them eating your home grown stuff.

[flossie]

Tried the own urine thing but gave up after falling off the bin twice

Can I put in the pieces of turf that are left from edging?
I also have a couple of seed trays of clover that I grew for animal feed last year. Shall I put them in?
Thanks.

Sorry, another question - I have heard that don't put in pots and beetroot because of wire worm. I've read on here about potatoes but what about the beet please.

[Two_Sheds]

I have heard that don't put in pots and beetroot because of wire worm.

eh?

I've read that 3 times and still don't getcha

[flossie]

I have heard that you shouldn't put potatoes and beetroot in the compost bin because you get wire worm. I haven't a clue what wire worm is but obviously it's not good.

[Two_Sheds]

here's an article about wireworm: Wireworm

You don't put spuds in the compost unless you want them to grow there!

Beetroot is fine in the compost (but why aren't you eating it? lol )

[flossie]

Thanks for the link about the wire worm and the advice.
I haven't grown beetroot yet, I'm ordering my compost today and baby beets will be the first thing on my list. I was just asking about the beetroot wire worm thing out of curiosity. I have read different opinions on why not to compost potato but not about beetroot.
My thanks again.

[Flummery]

Hi Flossie - you can put turf in the compost bin - but I put it in upside down. Deters it from thinking it can still grow! I have one bin full of turf from removing a grass path last spring. It's now a lovely loam. I had to remember to water it in the summer when it got very dry - it did have a lid on - not much else in the garden was dry!

Good luck with the composting - it's a great free resource, home compost!

[womble]

Depends what is in your turf.
When I first dug my veg patch (all those years ago ) I read all about stacking turf up, covering it and coming out a year or so later as beautiful loam. You can imagine my happy anticipation when I took off the black plastic with a flourish.......... and saw a mess of lumpy bits of clay and couch grass roots...
You live and learn