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'Disused compost bin

GrassyKnollGrassyKnoll Posts: 95
in Problem solving
There is an old abandoned compost bin in a shared garden next to my own. I have lived here for 3 years and I've never seen it being used. I opened it today and it is half-full, but the 'compost' doesn't really look like anything you'd want to put on your garden. 

I want to start making use of it, rather than just putting all my leaves and grass cuttings etc, in the council bin. So, where would you start with this? It looks like it needs something. Don't know whether to ditch the contents and start again, although that seems counter-productive in some way.

First pic is looking inside from the top. The other two, I just pulled a bit of the contents out of the door so you could see what it's like.

For the record, it is in a shared garden and I'm more than happy for other folk to use it if I manage to get it going. I just thought it should be used. It's there and there's plenty of stuff that can go in it.


Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    that has been too dry to decompose properly. It needs aerating and watering and putting back. OR, you could just dig it into your garden and let the worms do the job over winter.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    It has potential. I would start by wetting it, mixing it with an equal volume of grass cuttings, and chucking it all back in again.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Seems a shame to waste it. As suggested above l would mix it up with fresh stuff, make sure it's damp. Have a word with the others who share the garden and make them aware of it, it should soon fill up !
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    It looks mainly grass cuttings and leaves and very dry.  As suggested above you need to add some water and give it a good mix.  We also add cardboard, veg peelings and plant prunings to our compost heap. Good luck with making it viable - it is very satisfying to spread your own compost on your garden.
  • GrassyKnollGrassyKnoll Posts: 95
    Cheers, everyone. I'll try and revive it and report back. 
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    A dose or two of freshly voided urine adds nitrates, which helps boost the population of friendly bacteria.
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