GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - Suggestions on large-scale compost-making???

17-03-2003, 12:32 AM

The message
from (Joe Jamies) contains these words:

Does this sound like a recipe for success?

Yes. Other bulk materials that most people can fairly easily get hold
of very cheaply, are spoilt straw and haybales from animal feed
suppliers or nearby farmers. If you can't get spoilt bales, even good
straw is still cheap. (Hay is second choice because of the seed content,
but I have still used this very successfully in appropriate
situations).Layering either with manure is even better.

Other bulk materials I've collected for composting or mulching have
been cut green nettles, rosebay willow (both before flowering), green
bracken, all from waste land; home grown comfrey ( sterile Bocking 14 is
best, from HDRA) seaweed and dead leaves from parks. Wool clippings from
shearing shed; floor sweepings from hairdresser, paper from office
shredder.

If you live near a greengrocers or restaurant you may be able to
arrange collection of their waste veg. Hairdressers will often save you
a sack of hair sweepings, excellent compost material though it has to be
said that some hair is treated with a lot of chemicals :-) I believe
Starbucks coffee shops will also give away large amounts of old coffee
grounds but haven't tried that.

Janet.