Compost mixture questions
Everything you want to know about making good compost, but were afraid to ask!
Are there any homemade options for a compost activator?
A compost activator can be purchased, but there are also some DIY options. Both Comfrey & nettles are very rich in nitrogen. Adding the leaves to the heap will speed it up, but for a bigger hit use liquid.
These liquids can be used as plant feed as well
Comfrey Liquid
Steep 3kg (6lb 12oz) comfrey leaves in 45 litres (12 gal) of water
Cover with a lid
Use undiluted after four weeks
Nettle Liquid
Steep 1kg (2lb 4oz) leaves in 10 litres (2¼ gal) of water
Cover with a lid
Use after two weeks, diluted one part nettle liquid in 10 parts water
These liquids can be used as plant feed as well
Comfrey Liquid
Steep 3kg (6lb 12oz) comfrey leaves in 45 litres (12 gal) of water
Cover with a lid
Use undiluted after four weeks
Nettle Liquid
Steep 1kg (2lb 4oz) leaves in 10 litres (2¼ gal) of water
Cover with a lid
Use after two weeks, diluted one part nettle liquid in 10 parts water
What are compost activators?
A compost activator is a substance that can encourage the faster breakdown of material in a compost bin. It can be anything that is rich in nitrogen.
Can I compost walnut leaves?
It is not recommended to compost walnut (especially black walnut) leaves as they contain chemicals, which slow the growth of other plants. Beware also of siting a walnut tree close to growing plants as the roots of this tree give off chemicals onto the surrounding soil, which retard the growth of other plants.
Can I compost London Plane Tree leaves?
It is not recommended to compost these leaves as they take a LONG time to break down.
Can oak leaves be used to make leaf mould?
Yes. Oak leaves tend to be fairly tough so will take two to three years to rot into really good leaf mould. To aid the process, chop the leaves as small as possible using a garden vacuum or lawn mower.
Our compost looks like it has all turned to mush. What can we do?
Most likely, all the fruit and vegetable peels that have been added have not been properly balanced out with fibrous materials. It is important to remember that when adding a lot of fruit and veg to compost bins, it should be balanced out by some fibrous materials. Add paper towels, torn up cardboard boxes, cardboard egg boxes, toilet roll centres, and paper junk mail.
Can I put mushrooms in the bin, such as mushrooms found growing in the lawn?
Yes, the trick is to pick the mushrooms early to stop them from sporing. Fungus is a natural part of the decomposition process so there is no reason not to put mushrooms in the bin.
Can I compost evergreen shrubs (laurel, privet & yew etc)?
Although poisonous when growing, plants such as privet can be composted. The toxins present will break down during the composting process.
Care should be taken when shredding these materials. They must be shredded outside or in a very well ventilated area. Wear gloves and stand upwind whilst shredding.
Large quantities of evergreen clippings (laurel & yew etc) are best composted separately rather than adding to an existing compost bin. Heap them up and water well, mixing in some 'green' material such as grass clippings to speed up the composting process. Leave the heap for 6-12 months, after which the material can be used as a mulch around established trees and shrubs.
Care should be taken when shredding these materials. They must be shredded outside or in a very well ventilated area. Wear gloves and stand upwind whilst shredding.
Large quantities of evergreen clippings (laurel & yew etc) are best composted separately rather than adding to an existing compost bin. Heap them up and water well, mixing in some 'green' material such as grass clippings to speed up the composting process. Leave the heap for 6-12 months, after which the material can be used as a mulch around established trees and shrubs.
Can I compost rose prunings and leaves?
It is not recommended to compost this matter as some rose diseases (especially black spot) can lie dormant in the compost. These diseases are not killed during the degradation process, and then could re-infect your roses when the compost is used.
Is it OK to put citrus peel in my compost?
Fruit peelings, cores & pulp are ideal for composting as they contain essential nutrients. Citrus may take longer to break down than most, so try chopping or breaking it into smaller pieces & ensuring it goes onto the compost with a good balance of other fruit/veg scraps, garden waste such as grass clippings or young weeds and maybe even some manure or vegetarian pet bedding where available.
Can apples infected with codling moth be composted?
Yes, but make sure the apples are rotted in a hot heap; this will kill off any larvae within the apples. To ensure the correct conditions, mix the rotting apples with plenty of grass and other “greens”.
Can I put rhubarb tops in the compost?
Yes. Though they are poisonous if eaten, the toxins are broken down during the rotting process, leaving no trace when the compost is ready for use.
Can I put weeds in my compost bin?
Most weeds can go into your compost bin. Avoid perennial weeds- usually those that survive for longer than a year with a fleshy storage root, for example dandelions and bindweed. Also avoid weeds that have gone to seed as the seed will not be killed off in most heaps/bins. You can add them; it just means that you may have more weed seedlings to hoe off after you initially use the compost on your garden.
What can I do with all my grass clippings?
On their own, grass clippings will compress easily, pushing out valuable air and often turning slimy. By all means keep a separate pile (to heat up & dry out in the sun), but add them gradually to a compost heap as and when other materials become available…perhaps sprinkle a layer before & after you add a bucketful of scraps from your kitchen.
Mix with autumn leaves and put in a separate container with plenty of holes to make a rich leaf mould that can be used as a weed suppressing and moisture retaining mulch or a soil improver. This can also be done by layering thin layers of grass with cardboard sheets between.
Leave short mowings on the lawn. They will soon break down and recycle into the soil to feed the grass, reducing the need for buying fertilisers.
Mowings make good short-term, moisture retaining mulch for fruit, vegetables and other plants.
Laying the mowings over old newspapers will control weeds for a few months.
Many councils now collect green waste- you could put some out for the collection
Mix with autumn leaves and put in a separate container with plenty of holes to make a rich leaf mould that can be used as a weed suppressing and moisture retaining mulch or a soil improver. This can also be done by layering thin layers of grass with cardboard sheets between.
Leave short mowings on the lawn. They will soon break down and recycle into the soil to feed the grass, reducing the need for buying fertilisers.
Mowings make good short-term, moisture retaining mulch for fruit, vegetables and other plants.
Laying the mowings over old newspapers will control weeds for a few months.
Many councils now collect green waste- you could put some out for the collection
How long does it take to produce compost?
Generally speaking it will take between 6 months and a year. Enthusiasts will get compost far quicker than this but they put in more time and effort, e.g. turning the heap/ bin contents regularly.
Can tea bags be composted?
Tea leaves will always be of value to the compost heap. In few cases the bag itself may not break down fully - some can contain plastic/coatings – but these are easily picked out of the finished compost and put in the waste bin. Despite the fact that tea bags have often come into contact with milk (and dairy products are not recommended for the compost) simultaneous contact with boiling water would mean this is not cause for concern. Composting them at home and using the resulting compost on your own garden, will not be harmful in any way.
What can I put in my compost bin?
Anything that has once lived, but which is not meat/fish/diary and has not been cooked can be put in your compost bin.
Will I need to add worms?
We always recommend you site your bin/heap directly on the earth where possible, so that worms and other organisms can easily make their way up into the rotting material. Placing your bin on the soil will also aid aeration & drainage – both vital to successful composting. If the conditions are appealing those worms are bound to want to get stuck in!
In addition you may want to start a new bin/heap off by adding a layer/sprinkling of compost from a previous heap (full of beneficial micro-organisms & insects).
In addition you may want to start a new bin/heap off by adding a layer/sprinkling of compost from a previous heap (full of beneficial micro-organisms & insects).
