8 Dec 2006 - Make a Compost Heap
If your lost for something to do on the plot right now why not empty or start making a compost heap. There's lots of different methods of composting to be seen on the allotment site. I'm trying to compost the weeds I've gathered from clearing plot 41.
My compost heap consists of 4 posts with some chicken wire round to contain all the weeds. Some have just been in an untidy pile all summer and have started to rot down. On the next plot are some up market composting bins which look so much more attractive but with five plots providing compost I would need just far too many of this type of compost bin! I'm not expecting any useful compost for 12 months or even longer from this compost as I want to try and ensure that the composted weeds are well and truly rotted before spreading them back on the plot!
I emptied the compost heap pictured below, 12 months ago in 2005. This method worked quite well. The material that still needed more composting started a new heap on the other side of the fence panel.
All my composting material from this season had been piled into the space left after moving last seasons compost into the next section.
A few weeks ago I emptied the 12 month old compost heap which had been started in December 2005. This was spread on the soil to enrich it for next season's crops.
A word of warning though. You might get more than you bargined for! In 2005 we had a wasps nest in our compost heap. As wasps are very good for the plot, devouring many green flies to keep their nest supplied with food and as they were doing no harm if we kept our distance, we left them undisturbed and waited until late autumn when the nest is abandonded before emptying the compost heap. All that remained of the nest can be seen below.
The compost heap makes a lovely warm bed for many other creatures. When emptying out the compost this year we uncovered dozens of toads. Hedgehogs also could make a home in the heap and so care needs to be taken with the garden fork!
There are many methods of composting evident on the site, whichever way you choose. happy compost making and remember if you get it wrong you can always have another go next year! If you want expert advice try the link on the BBC gardening website by clicking here.
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