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Can you compost these? | Allotments For Fun and Food



A sunny day but don’t be deceived it was showers on and off all day. The puddles were evidence of the downpours. Today I make the final fixings on the new compost area and come up with a flexible solution for retaining the compost in the bins whilst I fill them up. Its time to test the final version with some composting materials that have been storing up. I start to spread the homemade compost from last year on the new raised beds. I get a surprise crop of potatoes and harvest another Poly tunnel grown carrot. I good tidy up of raised beds and some more compost spreading cleans up the plot nicely.

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30 Comments

  1. Plots coming along nicely Malc. New compost bins look great, you will soon have them filled. I always put tagetes and marigolds in my heaps and have never had an issue.

  2. It’s looking very nice ,compost bins closer will be a big help. I put marigolds in my compost: why shouldn’t they ?

  3. Nice one Malc, thoroughly enjoying watching the "new" plot/plan mate, hope you're keeping well buddy 👍

  4. i compost every thing even bindweed , as long as you put it in the middle of the heap and exclude light after a few months its all gone (its not indestructible).
    as for flower seed heads as long as it gets hot enough you've got no problems xx
    Looking good x

  5. May I suggest a large wheeled wagon/cart with a dumping feature? I have a gorilla cart and I love that thing. It saves may stressed areas of my body- neck, back, shoulder. Try it….I think you will love it. Danny has a wagon too. Not sure if it has the dumping feature. I have giant marigolds here in Indiana , put in my compost bins, they do not pass viable seeds in my compost nor do they self-seed in my garden beds. Probably way too cold here for that. Like the plexi fence idea. You truly do need a barrier there.

  6. Great update! About the tagetes!! YES! Mix them in! They inhibit pathogenic bacteria and also, destroy beetle larvae! They are a great compost additive. Danny

  7. Plots looking great Malc !! I compost everything always have so long as it’s covered I never find any problems!! X

  8. The compost bins look great. I wish I had the space in my backyard for something like them. Would you be better screwing a 6 to 8 inch board right along the front of your compost bins to hold your material from sliding out over your path? Along the bottom I should have said.

  9. I had the same problem with brassica stems so I started chopping them into smaller pieces, compost down nicely

  10. I would of put a washer in with the self tapping screws mate, or wind will rip the corregated sheet off quite easy👍

  11. I've always composted my French marigolds and tagetes plants with no ill will. And I'm down in the South East and I'm yet to have them selfseed, I don't think the seeds are frost hardy???

  12. Good-day Malc! Nice potatoes.👍 When you were wheeling that first barrel of compost I was thinking how sweet it is that your compost will now be so near your beds.😃 Enjoyed the time in y'all's garden with ya. Good times!👍

  13. Smash the brassica stems with a hammer prior to composting, it with help decompose faster, just love your channel, all's looking well

  14. My compost doesn't heat up enough to kill weed seeds but I regard weeds as yet more compost material

  15. Hi Malcolm, I always feel inspired & motivated by your videos. I struggle with my physical health so am limited what I can do but you seem to give me the encouragement that I need.

  16. I would recommend a trolley a bit like Danny’s but bigger! I would but be without it and save on the back and arms from moving it around the site!
    I still have compost bin area envy but so much to do elsewhere that it falls down the list!
    Brambles fence sounds dodgy but anything to block it will help but probably good to cut it back every now and again! Can’t the council clear it up if it’s from the ground outside of the allotment?

  17. I've really enjoyed watching your videos, Malcolm, ever since I took on my own plot in September. When faced with a challenge on the plot, I often find myself thinking, 'What would Malcolm do?'. Good luck with getting the new shed fund together!

  18. Great update Malc once again , plots coming along nicely , I usually put everything green in my compost but will be interested in any opinions of others 👍

  19. I hope De Walt are sponsoring you Malcolm,
    I like Charles Dowding's compost system as the roof looks tidy and well vented.

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