Composting Discussion.

[StringfellowParticipant]

Great update, always helps me keep on Track 🙂

With the new method of compost making that you are trying, I guess that both the cover on the top and a pallet for drainage at the bottom help to keep excess water out, which in turn helps to keep the heap aerobic?

Also, After gathering all materials did you add them in layers or mix them outside the heap and then fork them in?

It will interesting and exciting for you to see the result come the end of July; and also for us! Things looking good at Homeacres already.

[charlesModerator]

Tris, yes its all about having maximum air, by minimising free water. However, ingredients need to be moist…! We added in shallow layers 3 inches or so, then the heap was soon turned anyway.
Yes watch this space! And enjoy the warmth.

[StringfellowParticipant]

Hi Charles. I turned a recently built heap yesterday, containing green waste, wood ash, nettles and grass clippings, and lots of horse muck with bedding etc. These ingredients came together over a period of around three weeks. As I turned the heap lots of steam and fumes came off the contents; it did not feel good to inhale this stuff! Is there any health risk here? I’d read about possible risk of farmers lung and wondered if a simple mouth and nose mask might be an idea…

Would really appreciate your opinion here. Hope all is going well.

[charlesModerator]

Tris I think you are referring to an acid, ammonia smell which is from your ingredients being mostly green, and the manure too. I don’t think there is a health risk from it.
The farmers’ lung you mention is from mouldy old straw which smalls acrid and has harmful spores if inhaled, so avoid any of that.
Next time I would look to add more bedding and less actual manure.

[StringfellowParticipant]

Many thanks, I’ll see if I can buy a bale of hay/ straw to add in future as the manure is lacking a bit there, as you mention. It’s tricky having the time to obtain everything in one go.

I hilled up my spuds with the contents of a mature heap recently too and that should help to secure a good crop and leave a lovely fertile bed ready for some brassicas that I have just sown…..busy, busy!

Thanks again.

[al28lilyParticipant]

Hi there

I have just added something to the another post re brassicas and as a compost addict I thought I would contribute here.

I love the idea of using farmyard manure but don’t know if there is any available around where we live. I believe the allotments used to have deliveries but these stopped a few years ago. If anyone in the area around North East London /Essex knows of any local suppliers I would be really appreciative of the contact details.

We have access to unlimited supplies of horse manure as there are local stables so that’s not a problem. Collection is an issue for our older members. If anyone knows of a stables/farm willing to deliver we would be interested. We have a communal area where we could have a heap which we can age.

We are near enough for London Waste to deliver but our gates are not wider enough for their lorry to enter the site. Does anyone know whether it is legal/possible to have a delivery to the roadside? Our site entrance is opposite the local school and if legally allowed I would like to suggest a delivery to the roadside during school holidays. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Other posts mention using coffee grounds in the compost. We have used them like that – they are a good starter. We use them as a mulch as I read somewhere that they contain something which inhibits seed germination and they provide more nitrogen than they take to rot down. We don’t sow into them and in the areas we use them there are less weeds and really encourage the brandling worms too.

I will ask a couple of questions later re bokashi and Ridan digesters………

[MPGParticipant]

Charles, our next project will be a composting toilet and I’ve been doing a bit of research online. Is yours built to your own design or did you find it elsewhere?

[charlesModerator]

Mine is a 6x8ft garden shed fitted out by Dave Readman of Cotna Farm in Cornwall. If you google Cotna it will come up and you can message him, he’s a bit of an expert!

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