Regular readers will remember that I finally got round to building a proper compost heap at the end of August, using the Quick Compost method that I’d learnt during a talk by gardening expert Ray Broughton.
Well after 3 months it’s full and ready for the final layer of soil and fertiliser before I leave it to cook down over the winter. I’ve been amazed at how much material I’ve been able to cram into this four foot square space. Virtually everything from the garden and plot has gone in, I’d recommend it to anyone who hasn’t already got a compost area. By April I’m hoping to have some lovely compost to spread around the plot and allotment.
And I’ve also taken delivery of 8 75litre bags of Levington’s F2+S which will go into my carrot mix for next year’s assault on the NVS Southern Championship at the New Forest Show. Fingers crossed!
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November 26, 2011 at 11:38 am
Sue
It will be really interesting to see how this works.
November 26, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Damo
Fingers crossed Sue I should have decent compost in 3-4 months apparently!
November 26, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Mark Willis
My quick-cook compost method involves a plastic compost-bin and huge quantities of worms – which just move in of their own accord. In fact I have so many worms that I have trouble keeping them fed. I poke a few air-holes in the material from time to time, but otherwise just leave the worms to get on with digesting it. I always seem to get good coompost though – nice and dark and crumbly – and two “crops” a year.
November 26, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Damo
Sounds good Mark, I’m interested to see if this method works as it’s worm-free just relying on heat. My other heap is just a bin on soil so is full of worms but not sure how many nutrients are leaching out.
November 27, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Rog.
Hi Damo….. Great Blog…… Could I ask you where you sourced your Levington’s F2? i’m on the chase for large Carrots myself this year…..
November 28, 2011 at 7:03 am
Damo
http://www.fargro.co.uk/catalogue/levington.pdf
75 litre bags, a group of us bought a pallet load to keep the costs down. I’ve been putting it through the shredder over the weekend and it looks good. Best of luck!
November 28, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Jo
Hope it works for you. It’s funny how we gardeners get all excited over compost.
November 28, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Damo
I know we’re a strange lot!
November 28, 2011 at 5:25 pm
The Idiot Gardener
I need to revisit my composting; I have two daleks, but they’ve not been the success I was hoping for!
November 28, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Damo
My first Dalek attempt was a slimy mess but this year’s looks OK, I added a lot more cardboard this time round.
November 30, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Janet/Plantaliscious
I am really looking forward to seeing how this works out Damo, I love the idea, but am happy for you to play guinea pig
December 1, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Damo
fingers crossed Janet, time will tell, hopefully by spring I’ll have some lovely compost!
December 2, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Flighty
It’ll be interesting to see what your black gold is like when you turn it out next spring.
As for carrots good for you, and I’ll be trying to grow even half decent ones as ever!
December 4, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Damo
Thanks Flighty there’s always the prospect that next year’s returns will be better than the last!
December 5, 2011 at 8:33 am
Carolyn @ Urban Veg Patch
Yep, liking this one, Damo. I have so much garden waste that can’t get composted for lack of space (I have a small ‘beehive’ composter that takes kitchen peelings and veg leaves, etc) so I’m very taken with your method. If it works, I know just the space – on paving slabs! – hidden away round the corner from the veg patch.
December 6, 2011 at 7:07 am
Damo
Thanks Carolyn and I hope it works too!
December 28, 2011 at 11:27 am
Review of 2011 « Two Chances Veg Plot Blog
[...] This year was the first for my shared plot in the next village and it was filled with onions, brassicas, beans, carrots, parsnips, beetroot, spuds, sweetcorn, squash and pumpkins. Next year the Empire expands further to half an allotment in the same village as my shared plot. Can’t wait to get stuck in! And I finally got round to building a much needed proper compost bin which will bear fruit next year. [...]