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Something to shred kitchen waste

katar8394119katar8394119 Posts: 1
in Tools and techniques
Hi All,

Was just wondering if anyone has ideas on shredding a mix of green kitchen waste and garden waste into smaller pieces. We have a smallish garden here and produce enough green kitchen waste to turn it into very nice compost every spring. Problem is I've mixed it with some garden twigs and what not and would rather not wait 3 years for them do decompose and use the compost this spring. Its not the end of the world and it can certainly be used as is but if I can somehow shred it, I'm sure it would work much better for this and future compost piles. Does such a thing exist in a price range that can be justified for a smallish garden or should I just try running my mower over it a few times and hope for the best?

Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Welcome to the forum. I would probably just pull out the twigs.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I use an alko shredder. The current one i bought for £30 off ebay with a local seller.  I put all prunings through plus any kitchen waste I have when I run it.  It makes lovely fine compost.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    I use a compost riddler or soil sieve after composting, if I want it fine, and chuck the twigs and bits back in the compost bin to help aerate the next load. 
    I personally wouldn't want it too fine before composting...
  • Mrs-B3-Southampton,-HantsMrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants Posts: 732
    My mum did have a spell of cutting everything into pieces no longer than 2 inches  with her secateurs. However because she had Alzeimers she'd thought the council directive meant 2 inches long instead of 2 inches in diameter for larger items.
    Southampton 
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    StephenSouthwest said:
    I use a compost riddler or soil sieve after composting, if I want it fine, and chuck the twigs and bits back in the compost bin to help aerate the next load. 
    I personally wouldn't want it too fine before composting...

    Unless you have storage space for a shredder, then this is probably your best bet. Some shredders aren't happy about thin twigs or extra leafy waste, or anything that is too dry.
  • micearguersmicearguers Posts: 646
    I use a wormery ... kitchen waste + cardboard / newspaper + occasional garden waste (e.g. when deadheading I always imagine that to be a rich source of nutrients) + indeed twigs + hair and nail clippings ... it all disappears.
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