I have cut down a large ivy, and there is about half a tonne at least of
leaves
branches and thick trunk.

Getting rid of it is a problem, Which do you consider the best way:-

Hiring a shredder and composting it or pay for it to be taken away

I have composted small amounts of clippings in the past with the other
compostable material, but I don't whether such a large amount of ivy
composted by itself would prove toxic to the soil.

Any ideas????/

In article ,
Ted Richardson wrote:
I have cut down a large ivy, and there is about half a tonne at least of
leaves branches and thick trunk.

Getting rid of it is a problem, Which do you consider the best way:-

Hiring a shredder and composting it or pay for it to be taken away

It depends. There is also a third way: NOT hiring a shredder and
composting it. Shredding woody material speeds up its composting,
but isn't essential - I don't do it. A good rule is that sapwood
will break down in a year or two, but heartwood is best separated.
Conifers are an exception, and yew is almost uncompostable.

Any branch big enough for firewood can be used for that. I would
actually compost the leaves and small (sapwood) branches, use what
firewood is worthwhile, and burn the stuff in between. Note that you
need a traditional compost heap, to add some nitrogen, and ensure that
it remains damp and aerated.

I have composted small amounts of clippings in the past with the other
compostable material, but I don't whether such a large amount of ivy
composted by itself would prove toxic to the soil.

Why on earth should it? If it did, every time an old tree fell down
in the UK, there would be a sterile patch ....


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

I have composted small amounts of clippings in the past with the other
compostable material, but I don't whether such a large amount of ivy
composted by itself would prove toxic to the soil.

Why on earth should it? If it did, every time an old tree fell down
in the UK, there would be a sterile patch ....

We've composted and used ivy (shredded) for years and it's never done any
harm. In fact we've even used the shreddings stright on the soil with no
problems. It gets scattered, turned and, er, fertilised by the hens which
I'm sure helps.

Mary


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

The message
from "Mary Fisher" contains these words:

I have composted small amounts of clippings in the past with the other
compostable material, but I don't whether such a large amount of ivy
composted by itself would prove toxic to the soil.

Why on earth should it? If it did, every time an old tree fell down
in the UK, there would be a sterile patch ....

We've composted and used ivy (shredded) for years and it's never done any
harm. In fact we've even used the shreddings stright on the soil with no
problems. It gets scattered, turned and, er, fertilised by the hens which
I'm sure helps.

Ivy can't be *THAT* poisonous, if at all: it's a recognised tonic for
sick goats and sheep. If they won't eat ivy, there's not much hope for
them.

--
Rusty Hinge
horrid·squeak&zetnet·co·uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/tqt.htm

"Ted Richardson" wrote in message
news
I have cut down a large ivy, and there is about half a tonne at least of
leaves
branches and thick trunk.

Getting rid of it is a problem, Which do you consider the best way:-

Hiring a shredder and composting it or pay for it to be taken away

I have composted small amounts of clippings in the past with the other
compostable material, but I don't whether such a large amount of ivy
composted by itself would prove toxic to the soil.

Any ideas????/

I shred and compost ivy,laurel etc all the time but i mix it with grass
clippings, straw, stables manure and shavings etc etc and it makes beautiful
compost

"Jaques d'Altrades" wrote in message
...
The message
from "Mary Fisher" contains these words:

I have composted small amounts of clippings in the past with the
other
compostable material, but I don't whether such a large amount of ivy
composted by itself would prove toxic to the soil.

Why on earth should it? If it did, every time an old tree fell down
in the UK, there would be a sterile patch ....

We've composted and used ivy (shredded) for years and it's never done
any
harm. In fact we've even used the shreddings stright on the soil with no
problems. It gets scattered, turned and, er, fertilised by the hens
which
I'm sure helps.

Ivy can't be *THAT* poisonous, if at all: it's a recognised tonic for
sick goats and sheep. If they won't eat ivy, there's not much hope for
them.

I understand that 'poison ivy' is an American plant and unrelated to our
hedera.

Healthy goats and sheep will eat it voluntarily, given a chance, in my
experience. And they've stayed healthy ...

Mary

--
Rusty Hinge
horrid·squeak&zetnet·co·uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/tqt.htm

I believe it's considered a good idea for compost ingredients to be
mixed. My dalek compost bin "disappears" a large quantity of ivy
trimmings.

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 16:09:33 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:

Healthy goats and sheep will eat it voluntarily, given a chance, in my
experience. And they've stayed healthy ...

I thought mares eat oats and goats eat oats and _little lambs_ eat
ivy!
--
Derek Turner

Outlook Express is worth precisely what you paid for it.


-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

"Derek Turner" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 16:09:33 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:

Healthy goats and sheep will eat it voluntarily, given a chance, in my
experience. And they've stayed healthy ...

I thought mares eat oats and goats eat oats and _little lambs_ eat
ivy!
--
A kid'll eat ivy too, wouldn't you?

Mary

Derek Turner

The message
from Derek Turner contains these words:

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 16:09:33 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:

Healthy goats and sheep will eat it voluntarily, given a chance, in my
experience. And they've stayed healthy ...

I thought mares eat oats and goats eat oats and _little lambs_ eat
ivy!

A kid'll eat ivy too.

Kids are baby goats, but I bet you knew that. The first line is "Mares
eat oats and does eat oats", btw.

:-)

Janet

In article , Janet Baraclough
writes
The message
from Derek Turner contains these words:

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 16:09:33 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:

Healthy goats and sheep will eat it voluntarily, given a chance, in my
experience. And they've stayed healthy ...

I thought mares eat oats and goats eat oats and _little lambs_ eat
ivy!

A kid'll eat ivy too.

Kids are baby goats, but I bet you knew that. The first line is "Mares
eat oats and does eat oats", btw.

I thought it was mo

Marezy Dotes and Dozy Dotes and Liddle Lambzy Divy
A kiddley divy doo, wouldn't you.

- I found the song sheet for it while going through some of my mother's
stuff a few months back.
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

In article ,
"Mary Fisher" writes:
|
| I understand that 'poison ivy' is an American plant and unrelated to our
| hedera.

It is. It is not even in the same family. It is a sumach, most
of which have poisonous sap.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

The message
from Janet Baraclough contains these words:

Kids are baby goats, but I bet you knew that. The first line is "Mares
eat oats and does eat oats", btw.

What *IS* that part of?

First time I heard it I shook mt head in disbelief:

"Mersey totes and dozy totes and little Lambsie-tivy..."

Related to "Yan, tan, tetherer?" I thunked.

--
Rusty Hinge
horrid·squeak&zetnet·co·uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/tqt.htm

In article , Jaques d'Altrades
writes
The message
from Janet Baraclough contains these words:

Kids are baby goats, but I bet you knew that. The first line is "Mares
eat oats and does eat oats", btw.

What *IS* that part of?

First time I heard it I shook mt head in disbelief:

"Mersey totes and dozy totes and little Lambsie-tivy..."

Related to "Yan, tan, tetherer?" I thunked.

A silly popular song of the 30's or 40's
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

On Mon, 29 Sep 2003, Kay Easton wrote:

Marezy Dotes and Dozy Dotes and Liddle Lambzy Divy
A kiddley divy doo, wouldn't you.

- I found the song sheet for it while going through some of my mother's
stuff a few months back.

So that's how you spell it! My wife recites it from time to time!

--
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