Growing especially for the compost bin?

[scarey55]

Here's a thought I had whilst composting my overgrown courgettes

Is it worth growing something especially for the compost bin? I know we do it in the form of green manure. I'm not sure if it takes as much out of the soil to grow what goes into the compost bin but I was just musing.

I would be interested to know what your thoughts are.

[Nicos]

My lottie neighbour has about 10 rhubarb plants- he takes a few stems- and the rest goes onto the compost!
As we already have acid soil- I'd have thought that would have made the problem worse...but he's been doing it for 30 years...especially for the compost!

I used to grow comfrey for the compost- and yarrow- but we've got tonnes of the stuff wild over here.
It's taking me a while to remember to give the chooks the manky outer leaves of lettuce/cabbage...and now a perfectly huge marrow which could have been stuffed- along with the other 8 huge ones sitting there looking at me in the kitchen!!!!

[Two_Sheds]

I don't grow plants especially for the compost ... but I do let weeds grow as big as poss before I compost them... definitely compost them before they set seed.
the advantages are:

1) more compost material
2) big weeds shade out smaller weeds, hence fewer weeds overall

the disadvantages are:

1) weeds harbour pests and diseases, esp. slugs
2) weeds compete with plants for light, food, water

You pays your money, and takes your choice !

[Snadger]

I put quite a bit of comfrey on my compost heap as i have far too much just to make tea!

[scarey55]

Thanks everyone, definitely food for thought (or food for the compost heap)

I have comfrey and loads of nettles and they don't take much tlc to grow so I'll keep bunging them in. And, of course, the courgettes. Note to self don't, no really, DON'T plant so many next year.

[rustylady]

I would never sow stuff especially for compost, but like Twosheds I let weeds get fairly big before composting. Even with dandelions and docks I compost the green stuff but discard or burn the tap root.

[rustylady]

And, of course, the courgettes. Note to self don't, no really, DON'T plant so many next year.

Trouble with courgettes is they either don't produce enough or they produce far too much. Last year I didn't get many from four plants, and this year I'm over-run with the b***y things. Going to have to check out THAT book and buy some jars like pigletwillie did !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scarey55]

That's the trouble isn't it. If I don't plant so many next year, I won't get any at all, hey-ho, the joys of gardening

[BumbleB]

I was wondering on a similar subject to this regarding the leaves and side shoots of tomatoe plants. I have been snipping weekly and have a compost bag full of these clippings - would it make a fertiliser tea similar to nettles or comfrey?

[Alice]

In case you missed it BumbleBee, another Grape postsed that tomato leaves chopped up and soaked in water make a good a good tea for killing aphids.

[BumbleB]

In case you missed it BumbleBee, another Grape postsed that tomato leaves chopped up and soaked in water make a good a good tea for killing aphids.

Oh I did !! Where was that? The leaves I have saved have rotted down to a smelly bag that just 'smells' of fertiliser, I just dont know if to use it.

[Sue]

I only grow comfrey for the compost bin but if you cook all your lovely produce you end up with bags of compostable veg and fruit peelings etc. As we are at peak production I get a bag to haul up to the allotment every day.
Always a big plus for me with this growing your own, if you buy ready prepared veg you miss all the extra compostable material. I love the whole idea of everything circling around (expect what's gone in me naturally!) plant small seed, nurture, get huge plant, put excess in compost bin make more soil additive to plant more seeds - magic.

Sue