The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: deepinthewoods on June 04, 2012, 10:24:29 am

Title: lawn mowings and compost.
Post by: deepinthewoods on June 04, 2012, 10:24:29 am
 ive been leaving all the grass trimmings on the lawn to strengthen it for the last 2 years, it worked and ive cut a healthy load this morning, to boost my spring cut compost, am i right in thinking i need to layer it in with straw and coarse stuff to stop it getting slimy. any tips to getting a good quick compost with it would be usefull please.
Title: Re: lawn mowings and compost.
Post by: doganjo on June 04, 2012, 12:03:15 pm
Yes, I think that's right about layering s otherwise the grass goes horrible.  I remember somewhere on here that urine is good for compost heaps.
If you leave your grass on the lawn how do you stop it coming into the house?  I have a pick up ride on mower (lots of grass and no animals to eat it - can't because of location) but it sometimes drops if the bag is full.  My dogs are forever taking the cuttings in on their feet for ages afterwards. ::)
Title: Re: lawn mowings and compost.
Post by: deepinthewoods on June 04, 2012, 12:11:41 pm
i have the advantage of no dogs ;)  and i sweep up alot! thanks for the tips, ill use some sheep dag stew as an activator.
Title: .
Post by: RUSTYME on June 04, 2012, 06:12:08 pm
I would avoid layers if possible mate , i find they tend to make barriers in the heap !
I akways mix mowings as best as poss.
 If you have a lot of hard stuff to compost , then you can add extra grass around that , but not too much .
Any of the daggings or strawy stable manure will mix well with the grass .
Any stable manure with sawdust compost in a separate heap ,it takes much longer to break down .
Pee is a perfect activator for the heap . Male pee tends to be better  than female , but avoid using any if the person is on meds , especially the pill !
Any thick stuff like cabbage stalks , smash with a lump hammer first . Although any with club root just burn and use the ashes .
Title: Re: lawn mowings and compost.
Post by: deepinthewoods on June 05, 2012, 09:05:59 pm
ive mixed old chicken bedding (straw), half rotted chainsaw chippings and loads of sheep dag stew poured on top. each bin is 4ft cubed. i checked the temperature this afternoon at 125deg f. that should be hot enough to kill any nastys and weed seeds. hopefully be done in a couple of months, if i turn it enough.