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For those of you that are looking for cheap compost; want to use peat free or just like a challenge.
I am starting now to make next spring's compost.
It uses the hot composting method.
What I am doing, and this is my second pile:
Put aside a 2m square space
Make a pile 1 meter square of choppings; try to alternate between layers of greens and browns; soaking with water after each level.
Once you get to about 1-1.5 m high, cover with either tarp or I am using a big piece of cardboard.
After 4 days, turn the pile onto the other 1m square space; trying to get the middle bits [which will start looking black] onto the outside and the outside bits on the inside.
Turn as often as you can, I am doing it twice a week at the moment.
In about 15-20 turnings, you will have compost. Useable, sieveable compost.
Pop it into bags or containers, and let any weed seeds germinate and then mix it up to keep letting them germinate over winter.
When putting your compost mix together at the start, try to incorporate things that are going to add nutrients to your compost. I am chopping down all the comfrey that is still growing and putting it as a layer of it's own. Also nettles, and any remaining green manures that have been growing. And any straw and horse manure that the neighbour has been leaving at the end of the plot.
I think this is a better method than just chucking everything into a dalek or compost bin as it gets random weed seeds all germinated by the spring; and gives a nice rich compost mix that hasn't sat there losing nutrients all winter in the rain/bad weather. And no ants or wasps nests as it is turned so often.
Remember the more you chop at the start and the more you turn, the faster you get compost.
I made my last batch June/July this year and I got useable compost in 31 days. I am now using it for plants that will be sold in Sept. I tested it and the pH was 7.3, and the nutrient levels were 'high'. Which is awesome!
I am starting now to make next spring's compost.
It uses the hot composting method.
What I am doing, and this is my second pile:
Put aside a 2m square space
Make a pile 1 meter square of choppings; try to alternate between layers of greens and browns; soaking with water after each level.
Once you get to about 1-1.5 m high, cover with either tarp or I am using a big piece of cardboard.
After 4 days, turn the pile onto the other 1m square space; trying to get the middle bits [which will start looking black] onto the outside and the outside bits on the inside.
Turn as often as you can, I am doing it twice a week at the moment.
In about 15-20 turnings, you will have compost. Useable, sieveable compost.
Pop it into bags or containers, and let any weed seeds germinate and then mix it up to keep letting them germinate over winter.
When putting your compost mix together at the start, try to incorporate things that are going to add nutrients to your compost. I am chopping down all the comfrey that is still growing and putting it as a layer of it's own. Also nettles, and any remaining green manures that have been growing. And any straw and horse manure that the neighbour has been leaving at the end of the plot.
I think this is a better method than just chucking everything into a dalek or compost bin as it gets random weed seeds all germinated by the spring; and gives a nice rich compost mix that hasn't sat there losing nutrients all winter in the rain/bad weather. And no ants or wasps nests as it is turned so often.
Remember the more you chop at the start and the more you turn, the faster you get compost.
I made my last batch June/July this year and I got useable compost in 31 days. I am now using it for plants that will be sold in Sept. I tested it and the pH was 7.3, and the nutrient levels were 'high'. Which is awesome!
I'll give it a go!!
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