WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2017

No gardening due to ,which started around 11.00pm last night and did not stop until 5.00pm today. So, went back to hardware store and grabbed the last two burgundy Scabious . Then spent the afternoon watching My Cat From Hell and Gardeners World. Ate lots of junk, feel a bit sick now.

Been thinking about starting a compost heap/pile/bin. Never done it before and have read it can be problematical. No idea which method would be best. Should start a thread in composting I guess.

 

Much would depend on how much space you have.
In an ideal world, three bins would be the way to do it:
Year 1: fill Bin 1
Year 2: fill Bin 2
Year 3: fill Bin 3; use contents from bin 1
Year 4; fill Bin 1; use contents from bin 2
ad infinitum

This month's Gardeners World (October 2017) issue has a piece on composting (don't know if you local library has a magazine section where you could read it for free?)

I'll do a search and see if I can locate an excellent post made a few years ago on composting and then edit with the link ....

Instructions On Composting.. 2015 (by @shiney)

Or, read the most recent thread on the subject ...

Composting info please (by @Fat Controller )

 

Lucius, nothing really mystifying about compost bins.
A proprietary bought bin is prob best to start with I think.
If fitted with a secure lid rats, etc., will not be a problem.
Smells too should not be a problem.
Everything but cooked food and overly woody material can go in.....I would also avoid potato peelings. Try to mix ingredients as much as possible to help generate heat.
Having your own compost means you know exactly what goes back into your soil.....no possibility of bringing in perennial weeds, pests or diseases.
Go for it lucius

 

@luciusmaximus There is a forum on composting.

I recently purchased a wooden compost bin. I keep meaning to take a photo. It has come as a pile of wooden slats. I've heard of self assembly but this is taking the p. I vaguely remember there being instructions on the website. I will have to print them off. I have no idea when I am ever going to find the time to put it together.

G.

 

I have space for two or three bins. The lady who gave me the free plants has two plastic bins and she told me how she does it. She showed me the compost and it does look good. However, she made it seem quite simple and I know from stuff I've read online it's not always that simple. Still like to have a go though.

Can I put hay into compost bins? I have a black bin full every day of used pet hay.

Can I use soil or used compost. The compost has peat in it.

Do grass cuttings have to be fresh?

Why no potato peelings?

Verdun, do your Anemones attract Bees and Butterflies? The pink ones I have do not and they are a real pain to remove. I have obviously left bits of root behind as I noticed new growth sprouting . There are lots in the front garden to deal with too. But, if the variety you grow attract wildlife I wouldn't mind them spreading. They are pretty flowers. I think they would look good amongst the trees out front.

 

Lucius, 3 bins are good. You can move compost from bin to bin thus aerating and re invigorating it. So, excellent

Potato peelings tend to grow.....are they toxic there too? Not sure about that but potato peelings seem not to rot down
grass cuttings of any age are fine.....such green material mixed with brown, like paper, dead foliage, etc. creates air spaces thus preventing a wet sludge.
Soil is good.....provides bacteria and animal life to help rotting. Spent compost, if clear of vine weevils, etc., is fine too

Ah! Yes, my anemones do attract bees and butterflies, however, they are associated with agastaches, heleniums etc. which seem to attract them a lot more. One clump borders helenium Short n Sassy and bees always seem to be buzzing around them. Probably Bee Happy is the expert though about plants for bees but garden here has plenty of bees and butterflies.

You are right about the japanese anemones, they are indeed thugs with a determination not to be eradicated. I noticed a few days ago, a shoot of one I thought was eradicated a few years ago. wild Swan has no such vices...a clump former. They wont spread as such but do make big clumps....here a couple are a metre wide and high. A group of 3 would occupy a goodly area and one of immense beauty at that. Wild Swan is particularly beautiful when windy.....the blue backs lifted and turned contrasting with pure white flowers

 

Your garden sounds absolutely delightful Verdun.

I didn't know that peeing on the compost heap is required . The pet hay has bunny pee in it so maybe that will be enough, plus lots of little golden brown bunny nuggets .

 

I know that Bob Flowerdew does it but not sure human waste is good for the compost heap........would not want to eat his produce judging by his "habits" Logistically could be awkward

 

I use the litter from the hen house; bunny litter is just as good

 

I use this product for my Hens - it smells lovely and when it doesn't it gets spread across any resting veg or flower beds as a weed-suppressing mulch and also added to the compost bins - the compost here is often remarked upon - and all due to my fabby chooks bless um golden eggs and platinum soil

 

It was damage limitation for me today. The wind blew over my greenhouse the first day it was up and my seedlings ended up in a mix on the floor.





I've tidied them up the best I can. I've no idea whether I've done it right or not. I guess only time will tell. I did notice there were 2 distinctively different leaf shapes. That's a good start.



G.

 

As previously suggested, think about weighing down your gh.

 

Got up to the lotty today. Been feeling rotten last week or so and also been busy working and yesterday was a trip to passport office combined with a trip to the Imperial War Museum!

Managed to rake over a bed and sow a bag of green manure that Id ordered off ebay and water it in.

Also sown a couple of rows of spring onions as I did them this time last year and they were great.

I also snaffled some strawberry plant runners from my neighbours lotty. She doesn't do anything with them and they're prolific fruiters! She wouldn't mind at all so I've snaffled a few to grow. Still need to sort out the strawb patch which i'll try do tomorrow if I feel ok.

Weather is forecast to be nice for the weekend so planning on doing some gardening

 

Been there, done that! Ok, so not on the first day though - an October storm to be precise and mine was weighed down (clearly not enough though) - but it is disheartening to say the least.
You've done well to rescue what you have and yes, distinguishing the different leaves is a great start
Do you have a more sheltered (e.g. less windy) place you could site it?

Aww, sorry to read that @snorky healing vibes being sent your way

 

Oh dear, what an absolute pain. Definitely need to weight it down.

I wondered why you hadn't been posting for awhile. Hope you are all better soon