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Using homemade compost

trowel and errortrowel and error Posts: 15
in Problem solving
Can you dig into the soil homemade compost that is not quite ready yet? I need it to improve the soil for some new shrubs. The compost is quite moist and not completely broken down, it was started last autumn. Also, I want the compost to go into the garden as I need the bin to start another heap!
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  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I think it'll be OK. I've used not-quite-done compost  for soil improvement when it was still a bit twiggy and it was fine. I wouldn't use it for mixing into potting compost though. You could maybe pick out any big twigs/sticks/unidentified lumps as you come across them and put them back in with the new stuff.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • trowel and errortrowel and error Posts: 15
    I am concerned on whether or not the compost, when in contact with the new shrub roots, would kill the plants.  Usually I throw my compost (well rotted or not)
    over the top of the soil and the worms do the rest.


  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Your own homemade compost will not kill your plants, only if you have any lumps of pure horse poo, then I would move it from the trunks of the plants, but if you haven’t, no problem. By next Spring you won’t see any lumps of bits, the worms and the weather will sort it out. 
    Just chuck it on, I can never understand why people try to sieve it! 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • PurpleRosePurpleRose Posts: 538
    I put som round my rose bushes last spring which was not fully rotted. I would say about 75%-80%. Any clumps that had not rotted or bits I threw back into the top of the bin. It was ok. It did the job. The Rose's liked it.

    I had no horse manure in it though. My compost was kitchen scraps and garden clippings
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's only fresh manure which is a problem round plants. Home made compost is a great soil conditioner.
    The only drawback is if there are weed seedlings in it, as most home composting systems aren't hot enough to kill those off.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • English_girl_in_FranceEnglish_girl_in_France Posts: 108
    @Fairygirl can you put weeds into your compost bin? I have been and now I'm worried I wont be able to use it? They are on top so I could just take them out. Pic below of the ones I pulled out today and didn't put in there... 
  • English_girl_in_FranceEnglish_girl_in_France Posts: 108

  • English_girl_in_FranceEnglish_girl_in_France Posts: 108
    And also I have read that you can put newspapers and brown bags in compost, but is it actually good to do this? 
    @trowel and error sorry to hijack your post! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't put any weeds in, and I certainly wouldn't put pernicious weeds like dandelions in it, even after being left to dry out. If I was hoeing off annuals they would be ok, but I don't do much of that.
    My climate will be somewhat different to yours though. It might get hot enough where you are to ensure they're killed off. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • cornellycornelly Posts: 970
    This last week I placed last years home made compost onto the bed that will grow potatoes next year, leaving it for the worms to draw down into the soil, it will be dug over hopefully end next month before the frosts begin, then the frost can break down the tilth for me, 
    I compost most green material from the garden and green material from the kitchen ensuring nothing cooked is placed on the compost heap.
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