calnetalk.com

pimpdriver · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:04 pm Post subject: how to rejuvenate my compost heap

Hi,

Last year I just kept putting grass cuttings into our compost bin (we had no other plants).

Now the bottom 12 inches is green slime.

Can I "rescue it"???

If so, how.......

Take the plastic bin off, shred up cardboard, then layer it???

Top Dog · Site Moderator Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 2113 Status:

Add hay/straw to the mix.If you know someone who has a rabbit use the dirty bedding.
Grass is a activator and speeds the rotting process up.
Small hedge trimmings will also help.
If you can not lay your hands on these then add a small bag of compost to the mix ,then carry on composting as normall.
_________________
Regards
Top Dog.
Help us help you.Tell your friends/workmate/family of this forum.
Any forum is as good as its members.
Make this the best discussion forum.

pimpdriver · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject:

Angel · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:49 pm Post subject:

you can also add scrunched up newspaper to the bin this aerates the grass cuttings, I also put all my shredded paper in as well :)

GTB · Bushton Bushwacker Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2206 Status:

You need to take out this slime material and mix it back into the compost bin with other courser materials such as the ones described above.
_________________

Geddi · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:56 am Post subject:

Essentially, you've had anaerobic composting occuring which can produce all manner of yucky biproducts. In order to get nice fluffy compost we all know and love so well, you need to get air into the mix, as Angel says.

Grass mowings makes great compost but doesn't like plastic bins. If you have a tree in a quiet corner of your garden, simply tip the grass mowings around the bole of that, or hide them behind if there's room. This could also attract slow worms, which east slugs, as well as creating a warm patch for mushrooms to grow from, so is an added bonus x 2.

Good compost comes from mixing an equalish blend of course/soft and dry/wet mixtures. Layering can help or regular turning of the whole.
_________________
Democracy is dead.

pimpdriver · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:55 pm Post subject:

I have done the following:

taken the plastic bin off

put the green slime into two wheelbarrows

drilled loads of 40mm holes in the plastic bin

put the slime back in, layered wih straw, cardboard and shredded paper.

It is now a lot healthier, however there are LOADS of fruit flies, and I get attacked whenever I put something in it.

Are fruit flies good or bad?

Steve

GTB · Bushton Bushwacker Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2206 Status:

Martin Peck is your man on this subject I would imagine. :thumbr:
_________________

Angel · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject:

Fruit flies in your bin are not uncommon and are completely harmless, an easy way to discourage them is by covering all fruit and veg waste with a layer of soil, grass cuttings or shredded cardboard :)

Local lass · Calnetalk Oracle Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 4792 Status:

there fine pimp mine has lots in and is good for it.also any worms you get in your garden chuck them in.
dont understand why you drilled the holes in the bin though.