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Composting question

andrewnewtonandrewnewton Posts: 155
in Tools and techniques
My compost heap had not rotted down and I identified this as having too much brown material - mainly shrub shreddings. I added grass clippings last week and gave it a good mix and I know it's starting to work as it's heating up.
I now understand the need for the right mix but have also read that air aids the process. My question is each time I add the lawn clippings I'll I speed up the process if I give the heap a good turn to add air or will I be slowing it down by cooling 

Any advice much appreciated
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Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Grass needs to be mixed in well to do its stuff but you can insulate the heap with cardboard to keep the heat up. If the heap is in the sun then mix it on a sunny day and don't be afraid to have a wee in there to add heat. If you have nettles or comfrey add that in too to speed things up.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    I shred every bit of paper that comes into the house, except the very shiny stuff, and keep it in a big bag so when I mow the lawn I can mix it in with the grass.
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    I shred newspapers into mine......
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    A bit like fire composting requires 3 main elements nitrogen (greens), carbon (browns) and oxygen. Grass clippings are the highest nitrogen source your likely to put in as such you must turn this pretty regularly to mix oxygen in. The oxygen feeds all the bacteria and fungus organisms which break the material down. If you add don't turn the grass it will go very slimy and honk, you also need to add some carbon to soak up the excess water. Cardboard makes an excellent brown. Be very aware composting can lead to madness and addiction you find that you can't leave heap alone 🤣🤣
  • PurpleRosePurpleRose Posts: 538
    Hi

    I am newish to composting. I had a compost bin given to me just short of 18 months ago and this spring got my first batch of compost.

    I will echo the above about getting the balance right. I did not at first as i had a smelly, slimy mix in my bin after a few weeks. After going back to the drawing board and doing more research I realised that there is an science to it and getting the balance right is important. Sniff your compost heap every now and again. It should not smell strongly and smell like under growth. 

    I agree with @Wilderbeast about composting becoming quite addictive. I have actually passed this enthusiasm onto others who have started composting and we will chat about our heaps at every given opportunity, much to the despair of others around us 🤣🤣🤣

     I source compost ingredients from all over. For example, I have dishes near the kettles at work and everyone is under strict instructions to put used tea bags in them and I collect them up at the end of the day.  Just remember to empty the tea bags of the leaves before adding as some of the bags do my break down. The part shredded card which now replaces bubble wrap in parcels I cut up as this is the perfect size when chopped and added. Friends and colleagues know about my composting and do offer things to be added very regularly.


  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I put my shredded prunings in a separate smaller bin. When I have a batch of grass clippings for the main bin I get out some shreddings to mix in. The shredded stuff does start to rot down slowly on its own, particularly if it's wet, but that's not a problem.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • andrewnewtonandrewnewton Posts: 155
    JennyJ said:
    I put my shredded prunings in a separate smaller bin. When I have a batch of grass clippings for the main bin I get out some shreddings to mix in. The shredded stuff does start to rot down slowly on its own, particularly if it's wet, but that's not a problem.
    I've still got a large heap of shredded stuff from last year when I cut back an overgrown lilac hedge
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    I wouldn't turn every time I added grass, normally, I normally layer it with cardboard each time. But if you have too much brown, incorporating the grass clippings each time is going to help. Heat wise, it is generated by the process of decomposition, so on balance, getting more greens into the mix each time will be the quickest way to get it done now. 

    Good luck, like others I've found composting a bit of an addiction, never stop learning about it!
  • rmillerfamily5rmillerfamily5 Posts: 39
    I recently cut down some low growing branches from conifer trees in my garden.
    Can I add these to my compost bins?
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    I think I enjoy the composting more than the growing!  I have a handy space behind my garage which I call Compost Corner.  I had a bit of trellis erected to screen it off and planted a honeysuckle to cover it.  Compost Corner contains a comfrey plantation, two dalek bins; one to fill, one to rot; a leaf mould stack; a turf stack - still being added to as I'm renovating my front lawn; and two plastic dustbins which the previous occupants left behind.  These are full of cardboard, to which I add a daily dose of freshly-voided urine.  I got this idea from a fascinating little book called Liquid Gold - the Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants.  The resulting pulp makes a good autumn mulch, and it doesn't smell.
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