Compost-so proud

[Suky]

This year most of my tomatoes in pots have been planted into cheap growbag compost but I have run out. Only having half a bag of Arthur Bowers MPC and several (ahem, well 5 or 6) more tomatoes to plant up I decided to sieve some of the home made compost from last years bin.
Wow, such lovely crumbly black stuff, the only difference from the MPC apart from cost is that mine is full of wiggly worms. I have never had much luck with compost, usually too wet or dry but I now have a double, state of the art, pallet bin and it works.

[Liza]

Well done you, its worth its weight in gold, cos you made it ! You remember that when you are eating your toms

[hamsterqueen]

I know just how you feel, topped up my raised bed for the courgettes today, 5 buckets of beautiful compost..

i rushed in to tell the rest of the family who were singularly unimpressed.......

[Liza]

I know just how you feel, topped up my raised bed for the courgettes today, 5 buckets of beautiful compost..

i rushed in to tell the rest of the family who were singularly unimpressed.......

Never mind, cos we are !

[Snadger]

Very well done you!

[Wren]

Yes, very well done. Getting a decent grade and turnover o compost in a compost bin is not as easy as some may think. Good job

[Two_Sheds]

Good for you. I always tip mine out before it's properly 'done'

[Currysniffa]

Well done! mine is dry at the bottom think I'm going to turn it..

[rogesse]

My pallet compost 'pile' always seems to work better than the dalek I was given by the council (better air circulation?)

Well done you, a good compost is always a joy but attack it gently - i had to relocate several toads and a big pile of field mushroom (relocated to stomach)

[FionaH]

Well done you!

[Suky]

Thank you all ******** Takes a bow******
Hamsterqueen, my family weren't impressed either, that's why I had to brag on here. Rogesse, I had to relocate a field mouse (eek) but no toads, unless they are at the bottom.
I put some of the success down to the pointy tool (probably called a compost turner )that you push into the compost and as you pull it out 2 flaps open at the point and pull the compost up to the top. Much easier than a fork although It does get moved up a bin and turned completely at least once in a year.

[coreopsis]

Well done,hope your plants will appreciate and reward you
sometimes you can find your garden more rewarding than your family

[Jimmy]

I have a big pallet based compost bin flanked on each side by black daleks.
I regulary rotate the stuff.
Usually the bottom third is ready so I can use that.

Most of my tubs and big pots get two thirds home made topped off with a third clean shop based stuff.
I don't bother sieving my home made stuff but it looks a bit "mucky" for the top of pots.

Don't want to offend the eyes of "her who must be obeyed".

Any remaining goes on the various beds.

Saves me a fortune

Jimmy

[chris]

I just started my compost the other day. Chucked in a few veg peeling/fruit peelings etc - noticed that now they're covered in ants, and surrounded by some white stuff - looks like small grains of semolina or similar around the outside of anything that's on the soil?

Presuming it's ok, and the ants will jump ship when I add more stuff and it heats up

[Suky]

Ant eggs probably, ants do their bit to break it all down too but they go away when the heap is hot and moist enough. Sounds like bad 'compost porn'