Here's a thought - easy composting?

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by clanless, Jun 13, 2018.

  1. clanless

    clanless Total Gardener

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    What are your thoughts on this?

    This year, instead of uprooting my annuals and throwing them into the composter - I'm thinking of simply digging them into the soil in situ.

    Should save some time and hopefully rejuvenate the soil for next year.

    Would there be any problems doing this?:spinning:
     
  2. Kandy

    Kandy Will be glad to see the sun again soon.....

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    I don’t think it would do much harm to try it @clanless as I knew two old boys on the allotment plot next to ours who never composted anything they just dug the leaves from stuff they harvested (apart from potatoes) straight into the ground with a spade as opposed to a fork and got lovely vegetables each year so it might be a good idea as long as the plant material isn’t diseased I can’t see what harm it could do:smile:
     
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    • Verdun

      Verdun Passionate gardener

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      Just a couple of snags Clanless...in cultivated areas they will take nitrogen from the soil during the growing season. Where they are buried, plants will be reluctant to root into them.
      I prefer to mix them in compost heap where they add a nice balance to grass cuttings and other material.:)
       
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      • PetalsonthePavingSlabs

        PetalsonthePavingSlabs Gardener

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        And no seed heads or they might spread!
         
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        • clanless

          clanless Total Gardener

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          Thanks all :thumbsup:.

          Good point petals - I'm constantly battling against Nasturtiums that I planted out a couple of years ago - the most tenacious plant I have ever come across - no matter what I do they come back :th scifD36:.

          I suppose it also depends on how deep I dig the annuals in - interesting that there are different experiences of digging in.

          I might try an experiment - I've two identically planted raised beds - I'll take out the annuals in one bed and dig in the annuals in the other.

          If I'm still here in 12 months :thud: :rasp:.....I'll post up some pictures of the results:spinning::blue thumb:.
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            This sounds like green manuring, which I practise on my allotment, sow a crop specifically to be dug in. I am sure it will do good to the soil.
             
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