Thread: Paper shred
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Old 31-03-2006, 12:52 AM posted to aus.gardens
0tterbot
 
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Default Paper shred

"Staycalm" wrote in message
u...
Is it useful to put shredded paper in compost bins? My compost is too
green and wet. I need to add more into it but don't have sawdust. What
else could I use?


shredded paper is good. dried-out plants/trimmings are good too - i leave
mine lying around on the ground (out of the way, naturally) until they're
all dried out & then break them up a bit (if necessary) & put them in in a
layer in the bin. you can also use dried-out leaves (esp in autumn!) and/or
dried-out grass clippings, etc. any dried-out plant material you trust not
to be weedy & isn't too big, basically.

my compost was like yours, a bit smelly & rank & i used to need to lime it
quite a bit, but with adding layers of torn paper or dried out garden
trimmings interspersed with the layers of "soft" composting material, i find
i am not needing to lime any more & it's just breaking down quicker & more
nicely. apparently the dried-out materials will add carbon for better
balance, as well as breaking up the continual addition of "soft" layers, so
there's better aeration as well, which aids the process. i squirt a bit of
water on if it's very dry, to get it going.
kylie