another compost question!

[vicki]

My new compost bin is filling up quite nicely now - I have been putting the used hay/droppings from the guinea pig cage in - can I chuck in the wood-shavings and newspaper from the cage as well? I wasn't sure if the wood-shavings would rot down properly or not?
Can anyone help?

[andrewo]

They will but can take longer depending on size, they will rot eventually and won't cause any harm. Newspaper has to be shredded though.

[smallblueplanet]

tacking onto the end of this thread - can you compost dock? was worried that they might grow from leaf bits???

[2910fredw]

i find if you keep a good mix in the compost most(sensible) things will rot.
Did you know card board is very good if you don't put too much in at once

[valmarg]

SBP, when it comes to perennial weeds such as dock and dandelion, don't put them anywhere near your compost bin. As the song says 'They will survive'.

I remember an old Gardeners World programme, when the great Geoff Hamilton was presenting. He had nailed a dock plant above the door if his shed, and left it there to dry for several years. Just as a matter of interest/curiosity. he took it down and planted it. It grew!!

Annual weeds, yes - perennial weeds NO.