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Old 27-09-2006, 12:39 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening
George.com George.com is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Jul 2006
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Default Composting Grass Cuttings ??


"Uncle Marvo" wrote in message
...
In reply to George.com ) who wrote this in
, I, Marvo, say :

"Uncle Marvo" wrote in message
...
In reply to covehithe ) who wrote this in
, I, Marvo, say
:

My mother has moved house and has a fairly large garden ( grass area
probably at least tennis court size). I have made her 3 wood compost
bins 1 metre square.

Question? I get 5-6 containers full of clippings from the mower, is
this too much to put in compost bin as balance of compost material
from kitchen & garden is much less. I am hoping to utilise the
clippings without having to take them to council waste site, if
possible

Miles too much. It will just get hot and smell terrible. You can
leave the grass in the open and it will dry out, you can burn it
then (if you must).

The best way to get rid of grass cuttings is to mow often (don't let
it get too long) and leave it on the lawn. I know this works, but I
bet loads of people argue!

It's also quicker in the long run because you take the grass box
off. I've done this for years with no ill-effects and it also stops
the lawn "burning" when it's freshly cut.


rubbish, it is not too much at all to use in a compost bin. I get
near that from a regular mow in growing season. You are spot on about
it going putrid if left however. This simply means the composter
needs to mix carbon in sufficient quantities with the grass clippings
in the form of leaves, shredded paper, hay, straw or saw dust. I
mixed a load of saw dust in with a weekend mow of 4+ bags worth of
grass.

It IS too much to use, without the balance. If you have access to sawdust
then all well and good. I don't, nor leaves, shredded paper, hay or straw.

So, you see, it's not rubbish, but then again I did say someone would

argue.

Ah well, the diversity of answers ...


rubbish, to some, a good source of organic compost for others. Yes, I agree
with you that it is too much without the balance. You are thr carbon, I am
the nitrogen. Leaves or paper or saw dust shouldn't be too hard to scrounge
in most places. Neighbours have trees in abundance round here and I can get
acres of paper from work. I enjoy a good tongue in cheek argument.

rob