Do those packets of "enzymes" for accelerating composting one sees in the
likes of B&Q etc actually do anything? What exactly is in them and where
does it come from? Can anybody give a more rigorous explanation than mere
"enzymes"?

Ric wrote:
Do those packets of "enzymes" for accelerating composting one sees in the
likes of B&Q etc actually do anything? What exactly is in them and where
does it come from? Can anybody give a more rigorous explanation than mere
"enzymes"?


They probably help in an unbalanced heap, but they're not necessary. If
you get the ratio of nitrogen : carbon right (greenstuff : brownstuff),
your compost will go off like a rocket on it's own. I turned mine
(unenzymed) last weekend and found a ball of ash in the middle and smoke
coming out!

Subject: those composting products..
From: "Ric"
Date: 08/10/03 20:23 Romance Daylight Time
Message-id:

Do those packets of "enzymes" for accelerating composting one sees in the
likes of B&Q etc actually do anything? What exactly is in them and where
does it come from? Can anybody give a more rigorous explanation than mere
"enzymes"?


Whether or not they actually contain "enzymes" is a matter for debate but I
have a feeling that you are probably buying nothing more than a packet of
ammonium sulphate. You would do better to buy a 50 kilo bag for a little more
money and it will last for ages. A few handfulls sprinkled over your heap will
get it going in no time particularly if it consists mostly of green cuttings.

Phil

"Ric" wrote in message
...
Do those packets of "enzymes" for accelerating composting one sees in the
likes of B&Q etc actually do anything? What exactly is in them and where
does it come from? Can anybody give a more rigorous explanation than mere
"enzymes"?


Sulphate of Ammonia is just as good and you can buy big bags cheap at farm
shops or local horticultural societies

However buckets of urine do an eminantly good job and thats free !!!!!!!!!
Equally if you ring round livery stables etc to ind one whose happy for you
to relieve them of horse manure etc you will find the straw or shavings is
well soaked in horse wee and does a good job too

"bnd777" wrote in message
...
However buckets of urine do an eminantly good job and thats free !!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all the tips. I shall remeber from now on to pee on my compost
heap instead of in the flowerbeds!

"....Thanks for all the tips. I shall remember from now on to pee on my
compost heap instead of in the flowerbeds!.......... "

Just remember to move the compost heap from by the front gate first.

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 17:37:10 +0000 (UTC), "bnd777"
wrote:


Sulphate of Ammonia is just as good and you can buy big bags cheap at farm
shops or local horticultural societies

I understand that chicken manure is a good activator if you have
access to it.

Pam in Bristol

In article ,
(Pam Moore) wrote:

I understand that chicken manure is a good activator if you have
access to it.

It's sold in pellet form in many places. I paid less then 4 pounds for
7kg in B&Q earlier this year.

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

In article ,
(bnd777) wrote:

However buckets of urine do an eminantly good job and thats free
!!!!!!!!!

I ran out of "official" product and turned to pee. The heap is
now gulping down the expired plants available at this time of year and
very warm.

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

On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 22:18:45 +0100, "David Hill"
wrote:

"....Thanks for all the tips. I shall remember from now on to pee on my
compost heap instead of in the flowerbeds!.......... "

won't it effect your beautiful dahlias?


Just remember to move the compost heap from by the front gate first.

--
Martin

The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:
In article ,
(Pam Moore) wrote:

I understand that chicken manure is a good activator if you have
access to it.

It's sold in pellet form in many places. I paid less then 4 pounds for
7kg in B&Q earlier this year.

Most chicken farmers would be only too pleased to let you have as many
sacks as you want - gratis.

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

In article ,
(Jaques d'Altrades) wrote:

Most chicken farmers would be only too pleased to let you have as many
sacks as you want - gratis.

In convenient pellet form?

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

The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:

In article ,
(Jaques d'Altrades) wrote:

Most chicken farmers would be only too pleased to let you have as many
sacks as you want - gratis.

In convenient pellet form?

Convenient?

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