Forum home› Fruit & veg
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

can i put these in my compost bin?

Jason CookJason Cook Posts: 139
in Fruit & veg
Hi, I just pruned my rosehip, honey suckle and a fire tree. Ive got quote a pile of cuttings. Is it ok to put it all in the compost bin? The rosehip has the green seed pods on. Thanks Jason

Posts

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    Yes Jason it is. The fir tree will provide the brown material, the rest will rot down over time.

  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    The fir tree will take a very long time to compost. I have mentioned elsewhere I think on this forum about putting some Yew branches in a large compost heap and 17/18 years later they still had not composted, just turned brownimage. I would take the fir cuttings to the local re-cycling centre and chop up the rest for compost. Perhaps add some scrunched up sheets of newspaper to help achieve 50% browns and 50% greens.

  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    If you cant do any of the above, dig a hole somewhere that wont be in your way and bury it, chopping it up will be beneficial, will take yonks to break down, but not a problem if its out of the way.

    We had to take down 4 very large conifers, anything that could be shredded was, smelled amazing! But that was 4 or so years ago and the ground is still pretty fibrous.

    It burns sooo well, but dosent always go down well with the neighbours image
  • Jason CookJason Cook Posts: 139
    Thanks everyone, i cut it up a bit a put it in the composter. Sounds like there are mixed experiences but fingers crossed. If its not breaking down after a few months maybe ill try and borrow/hire a shredder.



    Thanks again.
  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    Experience shows that, even in a hot compost heap, woody prunings don't break down very well.  I'd heap them all up in a neglected corner and ..er... neglect it for a couple of years.  It'll all slowly rot and in the meantime provide a habitat for all sorts of interesting creepy-crawlies.

    Rose hips should be fine, especially if they're nowhere near mature.

  • Woodgreen wonderboyWoodgreen wonderboy Posts: 2,322

    Anything that is a bit woody can be cut up small with pruners, it only takes a minute or two. This will hasten the rotting down process a bit, and in any case small bits don't really cause you any problem if they are slow rotters.image

  • Jason CookJason Cook Posts: 139
    There was quite a lot of it to be honest. Maybe i should get the mezzaluna out and try that!



    If its going to take years ill just put it in the garden waste bin, it would be a shame not to try though.
Sign In or Register to comment.