How can you forget compost bins?
By seaburngirl
13 comments
When we first moved to this village 1987, I had 2 interlocking tannalised compost bins. 20 years ago we moved to a bigger house and they were put at the far end of the garden, in the back corner of the garden. I used them regularly and got good compost from them. Then about 16 yrs ago we bought 4 rectangular ‘dalek’ types and they went down the side of garage near to the house. All 4 bins got regular use from kitchen peelings to garden waste. I regularly turned them and used the compost.
But the other 2 lay forgotten and unloved apart from the odd grass box that OH chucked on. OH also put fallen twigs/branches that came from the beech tree. Next to them was a log pile from several trees that had to be felled.
This autumn I decided to do some tidying up at the back corner. There is evidence of hedgehogs using the log pile so I wont do anything with its reconstruction until late spring.
Lots of fungal activity in evidence too and the tannalised panels just crumbled away when handled, so fully rotten. Lots of insect activity too so this will also encourage the wildlife in looking for food.
I started pulling the ivy off and there were my ‘old friends’, slowly rotting away but almost full of brown gold. This is being dug out and spread on the borders.
Tomorrow [weather and back permitting] I am tackling some of the couch grass in the front garden and then I will spread some of this compost onto it and leave it to the worms to take down.
19 Dec, 2016
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Comments
I would bag it up and keep it to insert in a 2" gap round shrubs in tubs without disturbing the roots. This is easily done with a trowel in dry weather. Particularly Clematis. They need food too. I use my Gerbil compost for this, alternate years.
20 Dec, 2016
Treasure for your garden. Have a happy Christmas.
20 Dec, 2016
What a good find. It will be well received by your garden :)
Actually you have reminded me of 3 refuse bins I used for making compost in the old garden. After coming here they were put to one side and have been there for many years, just waiting for me to do something with them. I'll have to get round to it in the spring :)
20 Dec, 2016
Start making the list now Hywel !
20 Dec, 2016
Spreading your own compost on the garden.....priceless! A lovely job, one of my favourite jobs in the garden!
20 Dec, 2016
There's never enough to go round is there - a wonderful discovery!
21 Dec, 2016
Wonderful find .. take it easy we don't want you spraining something before Christmas day ....
22 Dec, 2016
A treasure trove of compost,what a great discovery,Sue..love the thought of those hedgehogs keeping snug over winter,and all the insect life..I hope you have a very Happy Christmas with your family xx
22 Dec, 2016
I did some digging and so far 'touch wood' back has been ok. yesterday was a marathon baking day and today we have had friends over so I've not been outside except for feeding the birds and fish.
I'm not Sue but I don't mind :o)) the hedgehogs certainly make good use of the garden. Plenty of slugs to go round. :o)
22 Dec, 2016
Oh dear,Sbg..sorry..I was thinking it was Lincslass ! and your names are nothing like each others ! I don't even drink ,so I can't blame it on that :o) It's good the hedgehogs are well catered for ...
22 Dec, 2016
oh dont worry Bloomer I didn't take offence, I often get peoples names wrong on this site haha
23 Dec, 2016
Cheers ,Sbg :o))
23 Dec, 2016
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Oh what a wonderful discovery! Don't work too hard tomorrow. A very Merry Christmas and Happy 2017 to you and all your family.
19 Dec, 2016