Unhealthy Compost Bins.

**Mr Bones** · 15-09-2019, 05:44 AM

I agree about lifting the tops and mixing, it'll get some air into it and also allow you to see what's in there. Don't worry about adding red worms, they usually find compost bins by themselves.

**mcdood** · 15-09-2019, 06:06 AM

Stands a chance there is not enough brown in there and it's too wet. I too would lift aerate and mix in plenty of cardboard/paper.

**woodsmithsbakery** · 15-09-2019, 08:05 AM

Thank you I have plenty of brown material. and soon, Dried Green Material, I guess not to add this at this time.

**SarrissUK** · 15-09-2019, 04:04 PM

Yeah I wouldn't add in more green material until you've added more paper/brown and let that settle for a bit. Try to add the same amount of each every time you add to the compost bin

**MyWifesBrassicas** · 15-09-2019, 07:20 PM

I agree, smelly usually means too wet, too much nitrogenous material (green material) and little/no oxygen.
Anaerobic bacteria produce foul smells, give it a turn and add carbon material and things should improve

**woodsmithsbakery** · 15-09-2019, 08:54 PM

Is all Cardboard okay or certain type, by which; Shiny printed cardboard (Cereal Box) or mat finish like egg trays?

**MyWifesBrassicas** · 15-09-2019, 08:59 PM

Brown cardboard is best.
Other than that, use what you have, anything used for food usually uses veg dye, so essentially safe.
Avoid plastic coated cardboard and remove staples and sellotape from anything you add.
scrunch it up to create air pockets, it'll break down soon enough.

Egg boxes are great

**muck lover** · 15-09-2019, 09:00 PM

I’d go for dull cardboard rather than the shiny stuff. Like egg boxes or packing paper (thanks Amazon) or even autumn leaves. Shredded fine hedge prunings as well would get a bit of air into it. And then wait...

**SarrissUK** · 15-09-2019, 09:42 PM

I save all my paper that I get, everything from all paper that I get through the post that isn't something I need to save, to receipts, tissue, waste paper at work, twigs of all sizes (the large ones take longer to decompose, but I just keep chucking them back in if I find them). I have a recycling box in the kitchen for all the smaller bits, and keep one paper bag at a time that I put bigger pieces into, such as cereal boxes.

I also collect a tub of coffee grounds from the restaurant at work, that I stick in (they count as green, I believe - how odd!). And of course, any spare manure gets chucked in too, to add to the heat

**SarrissUK** · 15-09-2019, 09:44 PM

I use a huge amount of cardboard on the allotment, but I get that from the local farm shop. They're happy for me to take it away

And I have been known to pick up neighbours' recycling on recycling day lol With their consent, of course lol

**quanglewangle** · 16-09-2019, 12:10 PM

Originally posted by SarrissUK View Post

... I also collect a tub of coffee grounds from the restaurant at work, that I stick in (they count as green, I believe - how odd!). And of course, any spare manure gets chucked in too, to add to the heat

Do some research before using coffee grounds. Caffeine is a growth inhibitor. See this article: Applying spent coffee grounds directly to urban agriculture soils greatly reduces plant growth online at https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...18866716300103

Edit: and this one with pictures: https://www.sgaonline.org.au/using-c...in-the-garden/

**woodsmithsbakery** · 16-09-2019, 05:21 PM

Thank you thats great help.

**Logunner** · 16-09-2019, 07:48 PM

Originally posted by quanglewangle View Post

Do some research before using coffee grounds. Caffeine is a growth inhibitor. See this article: Applying spent coffee grounds directly to urban agriculture soils greatly reduces plant growth online at https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...18866716300103

Edit: and this one with pictures: https://www.sgaonline.org.au/using-c...in-the-garden/

Probably hundreds of ‘scientific’ papers on the cons of using used coffee grounds, and just as many for the pros.... only by carrying out your own tests can you make a decision.

50/50 MPC & UCG = great carrots
Well rotted horse manure & UCG = great spud harvest in raised beds and courgettes, but useless for spinach, butternut squash and pumpkin.
2” thick layer is great weed suppressent but 6 months later the beans are going great guns

**SarrissUK** · 16-09-2019, 09:45 PM

Originally posted by quanglewangle View Post

Do some research before using coffee grounds. Caffeine is a growth inhibitor. See this article: Applying spent coffee grounds directly to urban agriculture soils greatly reduces plant growth online at https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...18866716300103

Edit: and this one with pictures: https://www.sgaonline.org.au/using-c...in-the-garden/

I have researched them, and I don't use coffee grounds as mulch. It all goes into the compost heaps. I can't say I've noticed a difference in how long it takes for the stuff to break down since adding coffee - I don't measure, not in time or in heat.

The article mentions nitrogen drawdown if the grounds are used as mulch and I can absolutely believe that. I think it's what part of my allotment has suffered with in the areas where I used not entirely rotted horse manure. Things were slow to take off, and only did better once I added more fertiliser, which kind of proves that whilst things are breaking down, it makes nitrogen unavailable to plants that are growing in it. So yeah, we're on the same page!

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