partially done compost under soil.

[4390evans]

Ive had to get rid of one of my compost bins and the other is full so Ive put the compost on a spare area I had in the garden. I have covered it with soil after it dried out over a sunny day as it smelt quite funny. Do you think this would be ok to grow on? there is just card and veg waste in there maybe some lawn clippings.

Is there anything I should look out for?
Im wanting to grow chard on that area.

Thanks guys
Jen

[WendyC]

How composted is it? Can you recognise what the materials are? Or is it just a bit lumpy?

[pigletwillie]

Chuck in some bean plants or some of the greedy feeders like courgette and squash, they wont mind the situation. Roots and such probably wont do so well.

[Bill HH]

It is a recognised method of gardening, even if its green, as long as you have some soil/ mpc on the top. Potatoes, would do ok too.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Have you ever smelt the "Out coming's" of a "Silage Pit" on a farm? Maybe not? n Nettle n comfrey feeds stink to High Heaven!

Get it banged on Jen n plant up! "It Be Reet"

[4390evans]

Some of it is noticeable, Ive took out the pineapple top bits as they don't seen to of rotted much. I broke it all up best I could with a spade then put some soil on the top. I just dont want any potatoes growing through in that area as I was hoping to put some other veg there.

Thanks guys

[roitelet]

Way back my Dad used to dig 'the bean trench' in the autumn and over winter throw in all the veg peelings. Come May he just shoveled back the soil and planted the beans. It was the only thing he grew and they were splendid. So part rotted compost should be fine.

[Florence Fennel]

Marvellous site for a pumpkin and beans Jen, then use it for other veg next year

[snakeshack]

Yes bang in a pumpkin or some butternut squash


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[4390evans]

Think the squash is a great Idea, can I just put a few seeds there or should I start them indoors?

Its in full sun so would that be ok?

[snakeshack]

partially done compost under soil.

I usually start mine in pots but no reason why you shouldn't sow direct. Full sun is fine but be aware they will need lots of water and they grow really big ( no ,bigger than what you are thinking even now).Its a good idea to cut the bottom off a plastic drink bottle and bury it top down like a funnel next to the plant so you can water straight to the roots ,also stick a cane in next to the bottle so you can find it in the mass of foliage once it gets going.


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[Two_Sheds]

... as long as you have some soil/ mpc on the top.

So naturally I do it differently


I firmly believe mulch should be on the top, not "dug in" (having tried it both ways over the years).

I turn my daleks when they're full, not when they're "done", so I often have a lot of lumpy stuff still in there. Sometimes I chuck it back in the new bin, often I just leave it on the surface of the soil as a mulch.

Why?
It's less effort, and the weather composts it much quicker than the bin does.

To plant out, I just push the mulch aside and plant into the soil underneath.

[Bill HH]

So naturally I do it differently


I firmly believe mulch should be on the top, not "dug in" (having tried it both ways over the years).

I turn my daleks when they're full, not when they're "done", so I often have a lot of lumpy stuff still in there. Sometimes I chuck it back in the new bin, often I just leave it on the surface of the soil as a mulch.

Why?
It's less effort, and the weather composts it much quicker than the bin does.

To plant out, I just push the mulch aside and plant into the soil underneath.

I do both, when I start off a new raised bed I like a layer deep down to retain moisture , sometimes uncomposted peelings etc but always top beds up/ mulch beds with my own compost when I have it. I have been mulching some parts of my garden that were basically concrete (rock hard clay) in three years the worms have pulled this stuff in and I was amazed how improved it has become.

[Florence Fennel]

Its a good idea to cut the bottom off a plastic drink bottle and bury it top down like a funnel next to the plant so you can water straight to the roots ,also stick a cane in next to the bottle so you can find it in the mass of foliage once it gets going.

Stick the cane through the plastic bottle. It holds the bottle in the soil, prevents it blowing away, and marks where the plant is

[Snadger]

What you have essentially created is a hot bed. The composting proces gives off heat, so use the heat to your advantage by planting heat loving plants.

PS If you have pineapple tops in the compost you may even grow a pineapple!