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Think I might have ruined my compost!

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  • #1

    Think I might have ruined my compost!

    I got 2 new daleks a few months ago, and in my eagerness to compost everything, I think I might have added some things I wasn't supposed to :-( Namely lots of dried up ivy, and several weeds/unwanted plants, including their roots. Some of the roots were very thick and brown, with white inside. Some of them were long, thin and orange, like skinny carrots. I don't know if anyone can identify them from that description! I think there was some mint in there too. I have put lots of kitchen scraps in too, but I definitely think there are more browns than greens.

    I know it's cold, but I looked in the bottom of the bin today and it doesn't look like much is happening, apart from a load of flies. I did put some liquid accelerator on a while back. It probably doesn't help they are sitting on paving and in the shade, but there was nowhere else to put them. They do have a base plate to help the worms get in.

    I did so much reading up before I started but now I worry I have ruined my compost through my carelessness! Is there anything I can do to save it? I'm not in a rush for it to turn to compost, but want it to eventually :-)

    Thanks!
    Last edited by IndigoElectron; 09-02-2014, 06:02 PM.
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  • #2
    You could leave it to rot down for at least 3 months then empty and sort it . . . it sounds like you have added some perennial weed roots, maybe docks, they may well grow but will be easily sorted and removed later.
    My allotment in pictures

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    • #3
      That's a relief! Thank you.

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      • #4
        I agree with Raptor - you can pull any roots which are still growing out when you turn out the compost bin. Not sure why you have flies - the daleks may be a bit too wet. Shove a garden fork in and give it a good turn around every so often and it should all be ready to use in a few months.
        Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?

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        • #5
          I thought the flies were normal but then read this:

          http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...bin_74626.html

          So I'll try to wrap the fruit and veg peelings up in future.

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          • #6
            Don't panic. I had loads of white worms in mine last year and figured it was too acidic. Sorted by adding more brown and giving it a good mix. Go and have a search on the forum, there are loads of helpful posts to do with compost.
            When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it.
            If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

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            • #7
              Thanks Kitty, I'll have a look. And I like your signature :-)

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              • #8


                I can't remember who said it but it pretty much sums up my early gardening attempts.
                When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it.
                If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by IndigoElectron View Post
                  lots of dried up ivy
                  I put ivy in my daleks every year, fresh green cuttings, and it's never re-rooted

                  Originally posted by IndigoElectron View Post
                  I definitely think there are more browns than greens.
                  you haven't mentioned any browns in your post, so what are you adding? newspaper?

                  Originally posted by IndigoElectron View Post
                  I know it's cold, but I looked in the bottom of the bin today and it doesn't look like much is happening,
                  It won't be, it's far too cold for much activity. Don't panic Mr Mainwaring
                  All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                  • #10
                    Ah, that is where I'm going wrong - I thought the dried up ivy was an example of a 'brown' because it was dried up. And I thought I had done my research so well! I have been putting newspaper, toilet rolls, brown paper bags and egg boxes in there, but probably not enough, maybe that explains the flies.

                    I will try not to panic :-)

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                    • #11
                      Don't worry too much.. It'll all rot down eventually.
                      Blogging at..... www.thecynicalgardener.wordpress.com

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                      • #12
                        Thanks Seasprout. I'll go out and give it a good mix this weekend, and add some more browns.

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                        • #13
                          "I got 2 new daleks a few months ago" - quote taken from your first post on this thread Indigo.

                          I hope you're only filling one of them and not adding bits to both. It's much better to fill one right to the top before starting on the second.

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                          • #14
                            Thanks Rustylady. I am filling one of them, although I did put some of the dried up ivy in the second one, because I didn't want to put too much in the first.

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