Privet on compost heap?

[alldigging]

I've always put privet on my compost heap. One of the old timers says it's too acidic to put on a compost heap.

I'd assume if it was then a sprinkling of lime would sort out the resultant compost if it was...


I just hate throwing green waste away.

[zazen999]

If you've always done it with no issues, why are you listening to an old timer?

Alot of what people say is just what they have read, and who is to say they were right?

[alldigging]

Don't worry - I'm not going to stop doing it!

I heard someone else repeat what he'd say and it riled me a bit (clearly chocolate deficient at the moment) - as he is listened to as if he knows what he is talking about all the time.

I've got a pH meter somewhere - just wondering now how much fun I could have blending up samples of plant materials to find out what pH they are.

If I was making a pile of just privet cuttings then I'd expect issues - just cos it'd be a mono-compost - and they rarely work.

I might just smile and nod and carry on as I am. I suspect that's the easiest option.

[Aberdeenplotter]

, why are you listening to an old timer?

S,cos we've been there and done that and got the tea shirt to prove it . Seriously though, I've always composted privet with no problems. Everything in moderation and a good mix of materials in the compost bin will result in good compost.

[zazen999]

S,cos we've been there and done that and got the tea shirt to prove it . Seriously though, I've always composted privet with no problems. Everything in moderation and a good mix of materials in the compost bin will result in good compost.

Precisely!

[Two_Sheds]

I compost citrus peels too, no problems

[Ranger Smith]

Privet plants have a high pH? I've never heard of such a thing. But it's not like a I know the pH of ANY living plant. Usually, you hear about the pH REQUIREMENTS of a living plant. I really wouldn't worry about the pH of your compost pile, unless you're draining car batteries into it. Worrying about the pH of a compost pile is somewhat putting the cart before the horse, as the objective of the pile is merely to break down and re-use stuff. The ph analysis would come after you've incorporated your compost into a soil you want to grow in.

[Ranger Smith]

If Privet was known to have an extremely low pH, then imagine what you could do with it. You could grow all your blueberries and rhododendrons with Privet mulch.

Don't worry - I'm not going to stop doing it!

I heard someone else repeat what he'd say and it riled me a bit (clearly chocolate deficient at the moment) - as he is listened to as if he knows what he is talking about all the time.

I've got a pH meter somewhere - just wondering now how much fun I could have blending up samples of plant materials to find out what pH they are.


If I was making a pile of just privet cuttings then I'd expect issues - just cos it'd be a mono-compost - and they rarely work.

I might just smile and nod and carry on as I am. I suspect that's the easiest option.

[arpoet]

When i had my lottie its was enclosed by privet that i cut every spring. At this time all my darleks were empty and all the clippings went into the bottom of each followed by hosmuck then topped up as the summer progessed all the other stuff we all add. In the autumn each was turned and left to over winter, then spread in the spring and the process started again. Never had a problem.
Roger

[Aberdeenplotter]

The ph analysis would come after you've incorporated your compost into a soil you want to grow in.

Only if you wanted to incorporate it into soil. Some folks mulch blueberries and other plants which don't like lime with naturally occurring ericaceous materials without mixing with the soil. In any event, compost goes through natural pH changes, including an acidic stage while the pile is active.

[Ranger Smith]

Please forgive my ignorance, but, "darlek", is a new word to me. What does it mean? ? Now, "hosmuck", that sounds like horse doodle. : )

When i had my lottie its was enclosed by privet that i cut every spring. At this time all my darleks were empty and all the clippings went into the bottom of each followed by hosmuck then topped up as the summer progessed all the other stuff we all add. In the autumn each was turned and left to over winter, then spread in the spring and the process started again. Never had a problem.
Roger

[veggiechicken]

We use a strange version of the Queen's English at times

This Compost bin is what we call a Darlek/Dalek because of its resemblance to a Dalek in Dr Who

And Hosmuck is horse manure

[Ranger Smith]

Well thank you very much. Now, both of those things look very evil and orwellian. I wouldn't want to use either one. : (

We use a strange version of the Queen's English at times

This Compost bin is what we call a Darlek/Dalek because of its resemblance to a Dalek in Dr Who

And Hosmuck is horse manure

[Two_Sheds]

I wouldn't want to use either one.

I love my daleks (I have 9)

They are terrific at making compost, IF you work around their quirks

[Aberdeenplotter]

They breeding TS? if so, they will make you a fortune