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Old turf ... compost or not?

hiacedrifterhiacedrifter Posts: 119
in Problem solving
I'm digging up old turf to lay some fresh turf. Can I put sods of turf in the compost bin? Or a separate pile somewhere? It seems silly to drive it to the tip!
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  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    A separate pile, grass side down, leave for at least a year, break it  up seive it, mix with a little leaf mould. Hey presto potting compost!
    AB Still learning

  • hiacedrifterhiacedrifter Posts: 119
    Thank you. I'm doing it with a spade, and may be clumps of meadow grass, but I will do my best to follow your grass down instructions. Does it need to be sunny spot? I have some great spots behind my garage, but in shade all day. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I would put it out of sight as it will take quite a while to rot down. Some say you need a sunny spot, but l don't think it really matters that much as others say to cover it with old compost bags !
    You might find this helpful  :)
    http://rachel-the-gardener.blogspot.com/2021/06/how-to-make-loam-stack.html
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    A shady spot would be best.
    It's a great way to make loam.
    As above, put the first layer grass side down, the next layer grass side up, next layer grass side down etc.
    Try and make it like laying bricks so you get a well-bonded heap.
    In a year(ish) you'll have some very good (and hard to come by) loam

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    I've had to get 'rid' of some turf; I laid the clumps upside down at the bottom of a raised bed; at the bottom of potato grow bags; and at the bottom of large containers. I even made a 'hollowed out clump' using upside down sods to make the 'walls', in the middle of the clump I've added soil and planted some 'Pink Fur Apple' potatoes. They're growing really well and loving being topped every now and again with grass clippings. Time will tell if the effort was worth it, but at least the turf would have broken down by the end of the year.
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I do as @Pete.8 describes. It takes a while though.  :)

    I used a lot for my raised beds. I made one border on the boundary, which involved stripping off the existing turf, and used all for the bases of the raised ones. It helps with water retention, as raised beds drain more rapidly. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    Composted turf was the traditional material used to make JI type composts. Stacked for up to two years. It may need watering as breakdown will stop if it dries out. Ideally you would cover it with polythene.
  • hiacedrifterhiacedrifter Posts: 119
    thanks everyone. i will pile the sods up and see what happens. nothing to lose! 
  • MrMowMrMow Posts: 160
    Just a different take on it, if you have not used any chemicals or fertilisers on it for a while it will be full of fungi and Bacteria.  
    I never knew retirement would be so busy. :smile:




  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    MrMow said:
    Just a different take on it, if you have not used any chemicals or fertilisers on it for a while it will be full of fungi and Bacteria.  

    Hopefully...
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