Quick return compost making

[Patsy]

Did anyone listen to Gardeners Question Time last Sunday 14th December? A chap called Andrew Davenport was discussing a way of making fantastic compost in just 4 weeks in the summer by using an accelorator of powdered herbs and honey. He's evidently wriiten a book on it and there were supposed to be details on the BBC gardening website about it but I can't find out anything. I've emailed the BBC but doubt I'll get a reply. Anybody know anything about it please?

[FionaH]

Try this for the book
Quick Return Compost Making / Andrew E Davenport

[snuffer]

I have never understood the need for 'quick compost'. I make a huge ammount of compost but it takes a full year to get the really good stuff. Once it is made, it is used throughout the plot as and when needed. There is always plenty to last until the next batch is ready the following year. Addmitedly, this system means that for the first year there is no compost and any that is needed must be bought in but it is only for that first year. After that there is more than enough every year.

If you have the room let your compost making take its time. No need for fancy ingredients or techniques just plenty of plant material, a good mixing when moving from one bin to the next and time. Works every time.

[Two_Sheds]

" the remarkable story of Quick Return (QR) compost ...Using the flowers and leaves of six common herbs and honey as a powerful activator, the QR method produced nutrient-rich compost made from vegetative waste. The remarkable thing was that this compost could be made in a matter of weeks."

I bet the main ingredient is Comfrey.
I infer from the paragraph above that this isn't garden waste compost made quicker ~ it is a separate compost made only from the magical 6 herbs.

[Snadger]

Mine is quick return compost............straight from the chooks bums and spread thinly around my brassicas to give them a lift!

[Patsy]

The intention to make as quick a compost as possible is to replace the manure I would normally use and which our allotments will no longer allow on site after the contamination issue. As I have a large plot with VERY clay soil I need to dig in as much organic stuff as possible or I shall have to resort to just throwing a few pots with the stuff! Thanks FionaH for the link.

[Snadger]

Here's a question??????? If you need to compost material to add it to the land.............how come you just dig green manure into the soil without composting?

[Two_Sheds]

It is a big job to try and spread manure/compost on your whole plot.
With a bad back, I just can't do it.
Instead, I just put my rotted compost into the planting hole ~ that way the plants are getting the compost just where they need it, and I'm not killing myself hefting loads of it about.
Over the years, you'll improve the soil no end ~ it doesn't all have to be done at once.

[BrideXIII]

well even if it is quick return, honey is pretty expensive and with the bee shortage etc etc........ i think i'll stick to the old way and wait.