On 2009-06-17 16:00:31 +0100, "Bertie Doe" said:


"June Hughes" wrote in message
...
In message , David in
Normandy writes
Bertie Doe wrote:
What is meant by 'composting activator'

It is a source of nitrogen to help feed the bacteria to help then get
established and multiply quickly in the compost. Nettles are a good
source. You can also buy some granules called Garrota. Personally I use
pee which is free and plentiful and does a better job.

We had a similar discussion here many years ago and I can't remember
whether or not the pee made the compost smell of ammonia before the
rotting down process has got underway. I assume it doesn't. We also
had a discussion when Jane Ransom was here about the possibility of
ladies peeing on the compost as easily as men. I wonder where Jane is
these days?
--
June Hughes


Thanks both, I have used Garrota before, but pee and nettles is
obviously free. Just did a google and got
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/orga...compost_pf.php
down the page, the author suggests 20:1 water to pee dilution, so a
little 'goes a long way'.
Reference nettles as an activator, would this be fresh nettles or
nettles soaked until they pong a bit?

Chuck them on and let them add their nitrogen. You can make a nettle
liquid fertiliser by leaving a bucketful to 'stew' in water for a
couple of weeks and then diluting it about 10 to 1 to water onto your
plants. The diluted feed is roughtly the colour of tea. It IS a smelly
business so put it somewhere out of the way of open doors and windows!
I'm told that a stronger dilution - if that makes sense - is a good
insecticide but have never tried it.

--
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics.
South Devon