I think the coir used in hanging basket liners may have been treated with something. If it has not rotted, chop it up a bit, wet it and throw it back in again.
Coir will take forever to break down - that's why it's used for hanging basket liners and the like, you can use it over and over. I haven't used it in years, but being an inert, once used, it can be washed and used again and again (in theory). It won't add anything nutrient-wise, but it will help make your compost more friable.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Hi, I'm looking for advice on my home-made compost.
I've been composting kitchen waste (uncooked veg, peelings, coffee grinds, etc) and garden waste for about two years in a plastic composter. Because I do not have much 'brown' materials, I added torn up cardboards too. I stopped adding new materials and left it to 'cook' since last summer and gave it occasional stirs. I also added generous amount of chicken manure pallets as I read somewhere it accelerates breaking down process.
However, I found the cardboard pieces are not broken down much (also they were pushed into the sides of the composter and didn't get mixed in), although there were a lot of fine dark stuff, which I am hoping is the compost.
Is the compost made mainly from green materials bad for the plants? Is there any way to balance its nutrients from the lack of brown materials? My garden is still new/young and full of herbaceous perennials, and I find tearing cardboard boxes a hard work to be honest and they do not seem to break down easily.
If it is wet enough, the cardboard will break down, unless you use the coloured shiny sort. If you do not have a lot of compostable material, a worm bin may be a better option than a large compost bin. If you use newspaper strips instead of cardboard, it would be easier. You only need it to stop all green stuff from going slimy. for instance, if you only have grass cuttings, it ends up as a slimy mess. Mixing ripped up paper in there keeps air spaces in and it doesn't go slimy.
A little cardboard is ok so long as it's not too dry, but vegetables and other green stuff is better.. just don't put too many grass clippings in at one time or you'll end up with green slime or hay
SammyM , if you have any old compost from pots , grow bags etc . you you could put that in as well , I do in my compost bins at the allotment , also personally found cardboard takes to long so no longer put it bins
Posts
I think the coir used in hanging basket liners may have been treated with something. If it has not rotted, chop it up a bit, wet it and throw it back in again.
Coir will take forever to break down - that's why it's used for hanging basket liners and the like, you can use it over and over.
I haven't used it in years, but being an inert, once used, it can be washed and used again and again (in theory). It won't add anything nutrient-wise, but it will help make your compost more friable.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I put it in the fire bin , now gone
I just assumed it would rot down , you live and learn
That's the attitude
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Hi, I'm looking for advice on my home-made compost.
I've been composting kitchen waste (uncooked veg, peelings, coffee grinds, etc) and garden waste for about two years in a plastic composter. Because I do not have much 'brown' materials, I added torn up cardboards too. I stopped adding new materials and left it to 'cook' since last summer and gave it occasional stirs. I also added generous amount of chicken manure pallets as I read somewhere it accelerates breaking down process.
However, I found the cardboard pieces are not broken down much (also they were pushed into the sides of the composter and didn't get mixed in), although there were a lot of fine dark stuff, which I am hoping is the compost.
Is the compost made mainly from green materials bad for the plants? Is there any way to balance its nutrients from the lack of brown materials? My garden is still new/young and full of herbaceous perennials, and I find tearing cardboard boxes a hard work to be honest and they do not seem to break down easily.
Your advice would be very much appreciated.
If it is wet enough, the cardboard will break down, unless you use the coloured shiny sort. If you do not have a lot of compostable material, a worm bin may be a better option than a large compost bin. If you use newspaper strips instead of cardboard, it would be easier. You only need it to stop all green stuff from going slimy. for instance, if you only have grass cuttings, it ends up as a slimy mess. Mixing ripped up paper in there keeps air spaces in and it doesn't go slimy.
A little cardboard is ok so long as it's not too dry, but vegetables and other green stuff is better.. just don't put too many grass clippings in at one time or you'll end up with green slime or hay
Last edited: 02 May 2017 20:43:54
Thank you both for your advice. I'll start tearing up newspaper from now on. I managed not to let it turn slimy - having a small lawn helps, I guess.
SammyM , if you have any old compost from pots , grow bags etc . you you could put that in as well , I do in my compost bins at the allotment , also personally found cardboard takes to long so no longer put it bins
best of luck ?
Thanks GWRS, good to know it's not only me who has found cardboard rather tough.