Compost help please!

[mrbadexample]

I think what I have learnt from this is to use 'oss muck very sparingly, or keep it separate. To break up anything large or woody to speed up the process, and to give it a blast with my Mantis at least once a month, depending on how much is going in it.

Oh, and build another one, of course.

[Two_Sheds]

cauli & kale stems ... hammered them to break them up (

They're tough aren't they? I now leave them out all year in a heap under the ivy. Let the weather do its worst, then put them in the compost heap when they're 'nearly there'

Sweetcorn stems I leave out all winter, and by spring there's very little left and it chops up easily

[mrbadexample]

They're tough aren't they? I now leave them out all year in a heap under the ivy. Let the weather do its worst, then put them in the compost heap when they're 'nearly there'

Damn. I haven't got any ivy.

I think the fact that it was walking-stick kale should have given me a hint that they might be quite tough.

There was quite a bit of stuff in there that needed chopping, though. Next time I'll do it as it goes in.

[zazen999]

I do chop up as much as possible before it goes into the composter - it really speeds things up. I got into the habit when I was putting stuff into the wormery.....again it speeds things up.

[mrbadexample]

I've stuck my grubby mitt in the middle today, and am pleased to report it is warming up a bit.