Compost

[Dianne1234567]

Is this a good time to empty the contents of your compost bin (obviously stuff that is ready) or is it better to wait until spring? Can anyone help?

[weekendwellies]

Personally, I would say, if you need it and its ready then use it. I am sure you will continue to add to it through the winter, so you will have more ready by spring.

[rustylady]

Been digging my heap (wood framed) out today and spreading it round the borders at home. Need to empty the heap so I can start another one after minor repairs. Haven't done the lottie ones yet.

[Dianne1234567]

Decided to do mine at the weekend weather dependent.

[Snadger]

Decided to do mine at the weekend weather dependent.

Sounds like a job for me as well this weekend!

[solway cropper]

I'll have to leave mine till spring cos I've just spread some lime on the bare bits. There are several thousand acres of peat moss just 2 or 3 fields north of us so the ground is a bit acid. Might have to dig stuff out from the bottom of the daleks and bag it up so I can squash down the rest and add more over the coming months.

[Edwardo82]

I completely turned my big bins and think I need to leave them just a little bit longer before adding them to the lottie, so spring will be a good time I think.

Will dig it all in with some leaf mulch.

[OllieMartin]

Is there any bed or plants that you concentrate the compost on, or do you grapes tend to just spread it across all growing areas?

[Bigmallly]

Is there any bed or plants that you concentrate the compost on, or do you grapes tend to just spread it across all growing areas?

Mine goes where it is needed. Why do you ask Ollie as now I'm intrigued.

[OllieMartin]

Mine goes where it is needed. Why do you ask Ollie as now I'm intrigued.

Just wondered if I should be spreading it for any plants in particular (E.g. Beans or Potatoes), or do you just dig it into the soil in all the beds.
I mean, I've got a few bags of mushroom compost that I think the 'tatties will benefit from, and I'm guessing decomposing compost will make the soil too loose for brassicas, so was planning on concentrating on the legumes and root veg. Just wasn't sure if there was anything that benefits most from compost.

[chriscross1966]

Potatos and mushroom compost is generally to be avoided... the lime in mushroom compost encourages scab

[Glutton4...]

I'm planning on putting all my spent veg plants in my empty compost bin, then turn out the full one into the top of it. The empty one can then be started again, and hopefully, come the spring, the full one will all be ready to use.

[Jeanied]

I like to leave mine over winter, tucked up warm - the compost worms seem to enjoy it too. And it means the goodness doesn't get washed out over the winter, which it would do if I had it spread out on the beds. I use my compost in spring when I need to clear out ready for the new material to go in the bin.

[OllieMartin]

Potatos and mushroom compost is generally to be avoided... the lime in mushroom compost encourages scab

Thanks for that.

[zazen999]

We did ours a few weeks back, with the lottie one being done by stealth as we empty and finish the sides of the beds.

But, we don't leave our beds open all winter, if there is any left with nothing planted, it gets a cardboard mulch with compost over the top - and it all gets dug in next spring.