Think I might have ruined my compost!

[IndigoElectron]

I got 2 new daleks a few months ago, and in my eagerness to compost everything, I think I might have added some things I wasn't supposed to :-( Namely lots of dried up ivy, and several weeds/unwanted plants, including their roots. Some of the roots were very thick and brown, with white inside. Some of them were long, thin and orange, like skinny carrots. I don't know if anyone can identify them from that description! I think there was some mint in there too. I have put lots of kitchen scraps in too, but I definitely think there are more browns than greens.

I know it's cold, but I looked in the bottom of the bin today and it doesn't look like much is happening, apart from a load of flies. I did put some liquid accelerator on a while back. It probably doesn't help they are sitting on paving and in the shade, but there was nowhere else to put them. They do have a base plate to help the worms get in.

I did so much reading up before I started but now I worry I have ruined my compost through my carelessness! Is there anything I can do to save it? I'm not in a rush for it to turn to compost, but want it to eventually :-)

Thanks!

[RaptorUK]

You could leave it to rot down for at least 3 months then empty and sort it . . . it sounds like you have added some perennial weed roots, maybe docks, they may well grow but will be easily sorted and removed later.

[IndigoElectron]

That's a relief! Thank you.

[Jeanied]

I agree with Raptor - you can pull any roots which are still growing out when you turn out the compost bin. Not sure why you have flies - the daleks may be a bit too wet. Shove a garden fork in and give it a good turn around every so often and it should all be ready to use in a few months.

[IndigoElectron]

I thought the flies were normal but then read this:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...bin_74626.html

So I'll try to wrap the fruit and veg peelings up in future.

[KittyColdNose]

Don't panic. I had loads of white worms in mine last year and figured it was too acidic. Sorted by adding more brown and giving it a good mix. Go and have a search on the forum, there are loads of helpful posts to do with compost.

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks Kitty, I'll have a look. And I like your signature :-)

[KittyColdNose]

I can't remember who said it but it pretty much sums up my early gardening attempts.

[Two_Sheds]

lots of dried up ivy

I put ivy in my daleks every year, fresh green cuttings, and it's never re-rooted

I definitely think there are more browns than greens.

you haven't mentioned any browns in your post, so what are you adding? newspaper?

I know it's cold, but I looked in the bottom of the bin today and it doesn't look like much is happening,

It won't be, it's far too cold for much activity. Don't panic Mr Mainwaring

[IndigoElectron]

Ah, that is where I'm going wrong - I thought the dried up ivy was an example of a 'brown' because it was dried up. And I thought I had done my research so well! I have been putting newspaper, toilet rolls, brown paper bags and egg boxes in there, but probably not enough, maybe that explains the flies.

I will try not to panic :-)

[seasprout]

Don't worry too much.. It'll all rot down eventually.

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks Seasprout. I'll go out and give it a good mix this weekend, and add some more browns.

[rustylady]

"I got 2 new daleks a few months ago" - quote taken from your first post on this thread Indigo.

I hope you're only filling one of them and not adding bits to both. It's much better to fill one right to the top before starting on the second.

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks Rustylady. I am filling one of them, although I did put some of the dried up ivy in the second one, because I didn't want to put too much in the first.