Composting Observations 2023
Spring Shrub Prunings –
We took a Compost Bin 1.20m (w) x 1.20m (d) x 90cm (h) Slatted. Started filling on 1st February and it was full to capacity by 21st February.
Material going in was shredded shrub prunings from roses, hypericums, lonicera, buddleia, hydrangea, potentilla, viburnums, etc. and un-shred-able material such as dead hydrangea and buddleia flowers.
Our method was to put in a 15cm (6″) layer of material, stump it down, sprinkle on some Garotta compost maker, then add a light sprinkling of water, till the compost bin was filled to the full 90cm height.
We rested an insulating cover on the material, so the top layer didn’t dry out. And placed a lid on top of the compost bin to prevent too much rainfall getting in.
When the top layer appeared dry, we removed the insulating cover and lid to let rainfall in.
During November we decided to empty the compost bin and use the contents as a mulch on a shrub and flower border.
What we found when we came to emptying the compost bin was that whilst all the material was unrecognisable from its original state – it had composted; the top layer was a light brown shredded stick like material. The next layer was dark brown compost and shredded material. The bottom layer was good compost. The original material put in had composted down from 90cm height to 45cm.
In conclusion – whilst all the material was suitable for the purpose we intended as a mulch on a border, we would have liked a more even consistency of finished material.
Next time we intend to mix the material after a few months by emptying the compost bin and putting the material back in.
We also found that a neighbouring beech tree had started to send its thin fibrous roots into the mix. To use the compost bin in the same location we intend to put down a fine porous ground sheet.
Overall success!
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COMPOST BINS – Grass to compost in 21 days!
Equipment: Start with one 27 cu.ft (0.73 cu.m) Compost Bin with Lid, Aerating-Base, Biotal or Garotta Compost Maker, Compost Aerator, Moisture Meter, Thermometer and Insulation Cover.
Procedure: Fill the Compost Bin entirely with green grass. Add 10ml of Biotal compost maker to a 10ltr watering can and water in. Cover the contents with the removeable insulating material. After allowing the contents to settle for 36 hours aerate and mix the contents with the Compost Aerator daily for 1 minute.
Result: Within 36 hours the contents will have heated up to as much as 70°C (158°F) and remain at that temperature for a consecutive 7 days. The temperature will slowly cool down over the next 14 days returning to the ambient outside air temperature. The contents will decrease by as much as 75% in volume within 21 days. Moisture content will go from dry (to the touch) grass, to moist, to wet before returning back to dry. After 21 days the green grass will look brown and crumbly and is ready to be used on the garden or allowed to further compost down in the compost bin. Leave it long enough and there will be nothing left!
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COMPOST BINS – The Grass Consumer!
Equipment: Start with one 1.30 cu.m (48 cu.ft) Compost Bin with Lid, Thermometer and Insulation Cover.
Procedure: Fill the Compost Bin with green grass. Cover the contents with the removeable insulating material leaving a gap of 75mm (3”) around the sides. This allows for excess heat to escape. After 7 days the contents should have decreased by 15%. Top back up with grass. Repeat the process every 7 or so days. Over a period of 87 days the 1.3 cu.m (1333 ltr) compost bin will have received and be consuming a total of 4.15 cu.m (4150 ltrs) of grass.
Temperature: Monitor and record the temperature daily. The contents of the Compost Bin are likely to have a minimum temperature of 50°C and a maximum temperature of 78°C during the grass cutting season. At 78°C monitor the temperature every 4 hours. It is important to maintain a temperature below 80°C. In the unlikely event, that the temperature exceeds 80°C, water the contents to reduce the temperature or empty them out.
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ARCHWOOD GREENHOUSES,
Goodrich Court,
Goodrich,
Herefordshire.
HR9 6HT.
Tel: 01600 890 125
©2023 Archwood Greenhouses
