what starter?

Hi,
I was looking for a starter/activator for my compost bin. I assume like other things there are some better than others.
Any recommendations particular ingredient i should be looking for?

Thanks
David

 

Male urine is a great activator for compost.:thmb: Go on - give it a go :D

 

I'd second Alice's suggestion, its high in nitrogen & the bacteria love it.

 

Worth a try, cold this time of year.
If i get arrested I'll blame you lot, shouldn't have put it in front garden.
Maybe i could use the wifes best vase, sure she wouldn't mind.
Think i've been at work too long, i'm going slightly mad.

Cheers
D:gnthb:

 

Go for the vase method - and say nothing about it.
Just give it a good wash out and put some flowers in it to cover your tracks. Hm ! Maybe she'll just wonder what you've really been up to :D

 

"Go for the vase method"

I reckon the "upstairs window method" would be more exciting!

I have used QR in the past (Organic product, stands for "Quick Result")

There is a compost heap accelerator containing Ammonium Sulphamate (Sorry, forgotten the trad ename) - which breaks down to Ammonium Sulphate with is basically the main component of Nitrogen fertilizer. Now this stuff is "curtains" to Mares Tails so if you have any of that pernicious weed be careful not to spill any chemical on your way to the compost heap :D:D:D

 

Bob Flowerdew, the organic guru, swears by recycled beer and cider!:D

 

If you cant pee on it, Sulphate of Ammonia does the same job, but its not organic I dont think.

There are a few named products for getting compost going, but I cant see the point, its something that happens of its own accord.

But then again, nothing is going to work outside for the next 4 months at least, due to temperature.

 

Ah, will look out for that ingredient as mares tail is a real problem locally.

Thanks Kristan

D

 

"Ah, will look out for that ingredient as mares tail is a real problem locally"

NO! .... you mustn't do that .... its not "approved" ... do not spill any on the way to the compost heap :D:D:D

All joking apart, this is part of the idiotic Rules & Regs. Ammonium Sulphamate is a simple inorganic chemical (not a complex organic chemical with gawd knows what side effects) but my understanding is that it was not cost effective to get it re-licensed under the "new rules" as there are no patent rights available, and approval would have required testing on dogs as the original animal test results were deemed unacceptable ... and the manufacturer didn't want to do that.