Compost

[Jelliebabe]

We have a compost heap that has been there since we moved into our house (four years ago) being complete gardening novices all we have done is add grass to it! Not really sure of what to do with it now. I tried to dig through it a year or so ago but was not prepared for the size of the worms!!! (EEK made me run back up the garden!) I have prepared him indoors and after a pep-talk re snake sized worms we are preparing to go it another go! Any advice, or should we throw it all out and start again...

thanks!

[ann-the-nan]

Compost

No, don't throw it out. The bigger, fatter and more red your worms are, the better the compost. As it has been there so long, you will find the compost that other grapes will kill for. When you have found it and spread it where you want to, top up the unused part with shredded news paper or ripped up egg boxes. I'm sure other grapes will give you loads of advice.

[danmon_81]

get into the middle of the heap (might be warm) and get what you find on the beds...leave the rest (outside, un composted bits) to carry on de-composing....like ann said get you kitchen (uncooked) scraps in there and you'll get the same again in 10 months! Should be nice, dark, hummus material

[Jelliebabe]

I swear they look like snakes so the compost must be amazing! HUUUUUUGE! <<Gulps>> I will try and be better at putting different sorts of stuff in there!

[womble]

If it's got big worms in it, the hot composting will only be a distant memory and your compost is very ready to use.

I'm a bit suprised you are scared of worms, rats I'll agree with you, but worms? Anyway, they won't hurt you and your garden needs them.

[BFG]

Of course grass snakes and slow worms love compost heaps.. What sort of size are we talking about?

Either way, none of them will hurt you. They're all gardeners friends.

[womble]

Of course grass snakes and slow worms love compost heaps.. What sort of size are we talking about?

Either way, none of them will hurt you. They're all gardeners friends.

But, if your big "worm" has diamonds on it, back away

[Maddie106]

But, if your big "worm" has diamonds on it, back away

Yes beware Jellie....could be serious adders or EVEN rattlesnakes in there! ( Did I read an article in the papers about snakes in Buckinghamshire compost bins???)
Your post really made me laugh!!

Only kidding..you are just going to have very well-fed FAT worms. Your compost is worm heaven!
Whilst they may look alarming , they are brilliant for the soil. Try to use a fork to get your compost out, so you damage as few worms as possible. Be strong in the "sisterhood of gardeners" and don't wimp -out over a few worms!!
I have to confess that sorting the compost bin is a job I hate, but not because of the worms. It needs a lot of organisation ( I can do THAT!)....but I end up with aching muscles from digging it out and shifting the bl**dy stuff about!
My OH sees gardening as a gentle pastime, like "Stepford(?) wives"....in a long dress and fetching wide-brimmed hat!!

Throw some fertiliser around your established plants ( I use rose fertilizer for my fruit trees and bushes and gro-more for most over things) Wait till we have had some rain, then use your commpost as a mulch in the borders.

My chickens are on a mission to eat ALL the worms in my garden, but I've used them as a labour saving device this spring! I piled MASSES off home made compost around the fruit trees and bushes. My 3 ladies have spread it all over the fruit plot in their search for worms.

If most of what you put in the compost bin is grass mowings (NEVER put them in the bin if you've used a selective weedkiller on the lawn), then put in some scrumpled up newspaper every so often as well, to prevent getting a compacted bin that won't rot very well. Alternatively, get 2/3 chickens!
Mine eat the grass mowings and the stuff I put on the compost bin from mucking them out makes it rot down at record speed.
Happy Gardening!

[Jelliebabe]

Hey! Normal worms I'm okay with and will have a little chat with them and just move out of my way with the end of my gardening fork, but these, well even my husband backed off! Thanks for the advice guys!

[Two_Sheds]

I'd be surprised if you'd get anything from a heap of just grass cuttings except black stinky sludge (that's what I inherited with this house).

I had to keep turning the heaps and mixing them with shredded newspaper. Horrible.

You may well have a slow worm nest in your heap: they love them. They are protected, so you can't kill or injure them (not that you would). Slow Worm (Lacerta Vivipara)

[Jelliebabe]

I'm going to take a pic I think! With a ruler beside!

[Jeanied]

I have slow worms in my compost heap too, Jelliebabe - here is a link with a picture
Slow-worm - Anguis fragilis
Although I scream like heck when I find them (renowned across the lottie site - 'she's off again' type remarks) I am soo proud of them as well because they are a protected species. They also come in very handy in slug and snail control. You can tell you have them if you find a little pile of empty snail shells. I get a fellow lottie holder to move them away gently for me. Usually placed in the new compost heap!

[taff]

I was scared s**tless when I first saw slow worms in the compost,they were massive and scary.

Yesterday I moved a long pot off the wall, there were about 8 under there, a foot and a half long, thick as a fat spring onion.So I picked one up and wrapped it round my wrist to wear as a bracelet for a bit [they love the warmth and will stay there]

That'll be you in a few months time.

[Jelliebabe]

Thanks Jeanied! Thats them! I've definately seen what I thought was a small snake in the garden once or twice before! WOW Will have to try and move them gently!

[StephenH]

The slow-worm or blind-worm, so called because it's not slow, nor blind, nor a worm.

I saw my first when I was about 10. Scared the wotsit out of me.