compost

[windowsillqueen]

jacob, do you just compost the grass with nothing else? How come when I try that, I end up with a smelly mess?

Me too...

[jacob marley]

jacob, do you just compost the grass with nothing else? How come when I try that, I end up with a smelly mess?

yes that is most of what i use but i seal the compost bin up as much as i can i have six bin's side by side they just reach from one side of the plot to the othe self made out of pallet wood 54 inch's wide and 42 inch's to the back and 40 inch's deep with the wood as close together no gap's for the air to get in or out .
And on the top i put some board's that just fill the space and put weight's on top to keep the pressure on that way it keep's the heat in .
True it do's come out wet but so do's Cow Pig and Sheep muck but it incorporates well with the soil .
I went down the plot this morning to do some rotovating for some one else and when i got there the the Grass man had left me a load of Grass mowing's .
I allways use a 80 litre dust bin for moving the cuttings on to the bin's this morning's load was 18 dust bin's that took until coffee time then did the rotovating after .
If i am lucky and happen to be there when he come's the mowing's are in dobby bag's on his trailor and the two of us can manage them onto the bin's..jacob

[Jillyreeves]

Sorry if these are a dumb question, but I am new to gardening and certainly I have never composted before, but I am keen to get started.

1. What is the best way to ensure Rats do not get into the bin
2. Why cant you compost shop bought potato scraps
3. My cats litter tray is filled with biodegradable wood chips, can I add this and there poo to the compost

This is all that comes to mind right now but I may have other idiot questions later

[jacob marley]

Hi the best way i know to keep rat's out of the bin is to have a strong well made bin and have it planted on slab's or concrete .
I do not see a problem with composting scrap's from shop bought potato's if they are that bad what are people eating them for without dying .
There should be no problem with cat litter i will compost anything that has lived apart from animals or humans..jacob

[womble]

I use strong wire mesh under my bins to keep out rats.
Shop bought potatoes can apparently bring in disease, I compost them.
I don't compost cat litter tray contents, it's a tiny amount and I don't feel at all bad chucking it in the bin. It is advised by almost everyone not to compost it.

[cwipnip]

the reason that you dont put potato peelings in is beause if it is remotely near any light any eyes on the skin will grow into a potato plant, which will then produce potatoes, good if all your other crop fails but bad cause you can then spread small potatoes all over you plot