Help! Need to move compost, but when?

[somerset_gooner]

Hi

I need to replace & repair my compost bins but need advice on when the best time of year to do this is.

I avoided last summer because we have Grass Snakes in the garden & I am sure that they nest there. Am I likely to disturb hybernating creatures if I do it now? There are also plenty of Slow Worms and a family of mice often spotted there in the summer. An Adder was also seen in the garden last summer. Pond is close by so there could be frogs & toads living there too!?

I would hate to stick my fork through anything!

Thanks for your help.

Mark

[Paul mabbott]

There's never a good time - probably the best time would be in spring (real spring when everything has warmed up and any hibernators have moved away.
You talk about bins in the plural - if you're in doubt and a hurry then I'd do them one at a time, carefully! That way anything hiding away can be shifted into another bin?

[blackey]

HI Mark ,Pauls right in one way never a good time , but if you are concerned about hibinating wildlife mid april after a few warm days is a good time but be carefull and keep watchfull eye out .all best Blackey

[wyevilla]

The other time you could plump for is September. by then reptile eggs have hatched and its still too early for hibernation. I moved mine this year and it was fine. I used a large garden fork and moved it scoop by scoop. There were about a dozen or so Slow Worms of varying sizes but they are quite good at dodging the tines.

[somerset_gooner]

Thanks for your helpful suggestions. Unfortunatly I can't wait until September so I will have go in Spring. Perhaps a good job for working off easter egg excesses!

[wyevilla]

Well, best of luck. Keep your eyes peeled for anything interesting!

[somerset_gooner]

Just thought those of you who offered advice (thanks) would like an update - compost succesfully emptied, repaired & put back over easter weekend. Some lovely Slow Worms but nothing more exciting.

[nightshade]

A bit too late but I would suggest making a small creche compost area
to place any finds in before you start

[kaz]

We have a huge compost/muck heap with the shavings from 3 stables. We grew marrows and pumpkins over the heap last year and then a friend cleared the heap with his tractor and lots of journeys with his trailer.

[nightshade]

Hi Kaz ,now that is what I call a compost heap,growing melons like that
was very popular with the Victorian gardeners

[kaz]

We got the idea when we visited a cider farm in Hereford and they were growing marrows on their compost.