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Compost Heap

Hanner FforddHanner Ffordd Posts: 1
in Problem solving

I know you're not supposed to have too many grass cuttings, but I did and now have large amounts of mush. Can I still turn it into something usable?

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Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,887

    I agree with everything pansyface  has said, but as the leaves are now starting to fall, mix in some of these as well. 

    Devon.
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,697
    Apparently it helps to pee on the heap but I read somewhere that only applies to blokes.
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    Grass turns to mush like that because it is lacking in oxygen. If you have an open heap, then turning it when adding the extra material as suggested will help it decompose.

  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,352
    Ceres wrote (see)
    Apparently it helps to pee on the heap but I read somewhere that only applies to blokes.

    I think that might only be because they have a built in hosepipe!!! - it's ok I'm going....image

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • LesleyKLesleyK Posts: 4,029

    Topbird image

    I have a large compost bin and find it very difficult to turn the contents so I always add some paper/card and eggboxes.  It must help a bit but wondered if there is a tool that would help to mix it.  I tend to only allow two boxes of lawn clippings at a time.

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Topbird wrote (see)
    Ceres wrote (see)
    Apparently it helps to pee on the heap but I read somewhere that only applies to blokes.

    I think that might only be because they have a built in hosepipe!!! - it's ok I'm going....image

    That is because womens pee is much to acid for the compost heap, mens isnt.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    LesleyK. One of the pieces of advice given somewhere else is to insert a long bar into the heap and make a series of holes in the compost. This supposedly allows air into the grass cuttings to help them rot down. Never had any trouble with grass cuttings (and with 1'4 of an acre of grass we get plenty) so I have never needed to try this out.

  • LesleyKLesleyK Posts: 4,029

    Thanks Berghill - I'll be out there doing it as soon as the wind dies down.  (wimp that I am)image

  • No expertNo expert Posts: 415

    Mix in some topsoil or spent compost from pots to the grass cuttings. Grass tends to compact and squeeze out the air from the heap. Add anything that holds in more air and the heap will be fine. Turn it on a regular basis too.

     

  • Matty2Matty2 Posts: 4,817

    I also add shredded paper, keeps a bit more air in it. Also pour beer/cider on it -  -learnt that on this forum- sometimes son comes in and falls asleep before he's finished his 

     

    There is a tool for dalek type bins

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_14?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=compost%20turner&sprefix=compost+turner%2Caps%2C271

    I have one as I'm not very tall and it saves me falling in!!

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