Garden compost

[nightshade]

I put all my shredded bills etc.into the compost,the theory being they will be good for something in the end
I also put the droppings from my feeders in and mix it about,the range and numbers of worms and sizes has increased dramatically since.
Citrus skins go through my Ryobi mulcher and get crunched into a kind of expanded net that breaks down more readily and are added little and often

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by tufftie

Only with cardboard and grass clippings you have to make sure you only put thin layers between lots of other compost material or you end up with a nasty layer of yuk in the middle of nice finished product.

Quite so. You can get away with sawdust, cat litter, dead squirrels, toenail clippings, whatever ... as long as they're in relatively thin layers.

I don't rotate my compost: I'm talking about a big compost heap - there is more need for care and occasional mixing when using a (relatively) small compost bin. In my case the insects and small furry mammals do the job for me.

The other thing which is critical is to see that the compost doesn't dry out - this can happen in parts, particularly when layers of grass get too thick.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Quite so. You can get away with sawdust, cat litter, dead squirrels, toenail clippings, whatever ... as long as they're in relatively thin layers.

I don't rotate my compost: I'm talking about a big compost heap - there is more need for care and occasional mixing when using a (relatively) small compost bin. In my case the insects and small furry mammals do the job for me.

The other thing which is critical is to see that the compost doesn't dry out - this can happen in parts, particularly when layers of grass get too thick.

Don't put cat or dog poo..or any meat eaters poo...

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Quite so. You can get away with sawdust, cat litter, dead squirrels, toenail clippings, whatever ... as long as they're in relatively thin layers.

I don't rotate my compost: I'm talking about a big compost heap - there is more need for care and occasional mixing when using a (relatively) small compost bin. In my case the insects and small furry mammals do the job for me.

The other thing which is critical is to see that the compost doesn't dry out - this can happen in parts, particularly when layers of grass get too thick.

OY - don't think you can just slip that one in without me noticing it!!! Just you wait until i see you at one of these meets - death by the most dastardly means i can think of at the time - watch out Paul!!!

No I don't mix either - like you insects and mammals do it for me - especially badgers!

[Bouncytigger]

Originally Posted by polygro

Spent a really satisfying morning emptying my two compost bins. Spread the compost around the beds and was pleased about how many worms there were (though not sure that they will survive the badgers' foraging tonight). It always amazes me how such sweet-smelling and friable compost can be produced from kitchen scraps, weeds, grass cuttings, shreddings etc.

One question: am I right not to put orange and lemons into the compost bin and, if so, then why not?

Thanks

Polly

I'm just descovering the delights of composting myself

put loads of cardboard and tea bags in

its just amazing how it all turns out six moths later and the worms!!

where do they all come from?

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Quite so. You can get away with sawdust, cat litter, dead squirrels, toenail clippings, whatever ... as long as they're in relatively thin layers.

Caution should be taken with adding either cat or dog litter to compost or garden soil. Both cats and dogs are frequent carriers of intestinal parasites, the larvae of which are persisent in soil.

The consequences of composting litter are two fold, firstly even for those who regularly worm their pets, the garden soil may become a vector for reinfestation. Scondly and potentially far more catastrophic, serious disease may be transmitted to humans.

In the case of dog to human transmission, the disease of most concern is Toxocariasis, although rare it can have a devastating effect on those affected. In the case of cats the main disease is Toxoplasmosis, although healthy people are generally unaffected, immune suppressed individuals and babies in the womb can be profoundly disabled.

CM

[Bouncytigger]

CAT and DOG litters a NO NO!!

[PeterT18]

Sorry to join this thread so late, but only just stumbled across the site. I have just started composting over the last few weeks and find it very satisfying and am looking forward to seeing the fruits of my labour in early spring (all being well!).
We have a house rabbit who very politely uses a litter when he needs to go to the toilet and I know that rabbit droppings on their own can be added to the compost bin but I was just wondering if there is any benefit in putting the entire contents of the litter tray into the bin as well. We use a cat litter that is paper based, which is supposedly made from old newspapers.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by PeterT18

Sorry to join this thread so late, but only just stumbled across the site. I have just started composting over the last few weeks and find it very satisfying and am looking forward to seeing the fruits of my labour in early spring (all being well!).
We have a house rabbit who very politely uses a litter when he needs to go to the toilet and I know that rabbit droppings on their own can be added to the compost bin but I was just wondering if there is any benefit in putting the entire contents of the litter tray into the bin as well. We use a cat litter that is paper based, which is supposedly made from old newspapers.

Peter, no need to apologise - the only problem might be that you don't get a response, but threads are frequently reactivated months, or even years after the last post. Anyway I hope you find much more on WAB that is of interest.

Re: the rabbit litter, paper is eminently compostable, although where it is of useable quality it is better to recycle it than compost it. In this case the litter should break down fine, although you may need to add a month or two to the process to ensure having a usable product.

The only reservation I would have is over the potential for disease/parasite persistence in the compost and then garden soil that might affect your rabbit if it has access to those parts of the garden where you have spread the compost. I know nothing about Rabbit health so can't offer advice on how serious the problem might be.

CM

[Blackdogjnr]

I've noticed recently that our local -shudder- Starbucks has taken to packaging up spent coffee grounds for customers to take for free.

I am pleasantly suprised by this move and the coffee goes great on the compost heap!