putting bagged compost in a heap

[bikermike]

Hello

after my diligent acquisition of compost, I now have more than I can easily store indoors. Every so often the outdoor stuff gets savaged by passing wildlife.

If I were to empty the bags into my compost heap, apart from being able to pretend I make the most amazing compost, would there be any issues?

ie if it is open to the elephants, will it have nutrients washed out etc? It shouldn't be there for more than a week or two, and will be sitting with a mix of nearly-ready compost, coffee grounds and rotted woodchip.

[SarrissUK]

Yeah, tip it in there if you don't have room to store it anywhere. I'd find a bit tub for it and keep it outdoors I think and save it for seed sowing.

[Jimny14]

If left open to the elements I reckon it would have the nutrients washed out as quickly as your topsoil in your garden unless I'm missing something.
If you want to cover it up, put it on the compost heap but it sounds a bit like you're doing a job twice to me if it's only going to be there a couple of weeks.

[bikermike]

It's more jobs if the local wildlife rip open the bags and distribute it around...

[Bren In Pots]

If you have a spare dustbin you could also store it in that.

[greenishfing]

What sort of wildlife do you have attacking it? I did read the bit about

"ie if it is open to the elephants"

It did worry me!

Depending on the wildlife could you wrap the bags in chicken wire?

[bikermike]

A homage to Terry Pratchett (the fifth elephant)...

I think as the general consensus is that it is a bad idea, i will take the least worst path and put the bags of soil conditioner on the heap to make space for the bagged compost. Although with a fair wind i may get to make the next beds this weekend and avoid the problem.

I may still tip a bag over the top of the heap to give everyone compost envy...