Composting question

Ilikeplants

Is it a good idea to start bagging up half ready compost and leave it unused just to tidy the heaps? Or does that slow it down and dry it out? I was thinking of doing this and then stacking them ready for use in autumn but in fact will that just compress it too much and it won’t be as good? What do you do with your half ready compost? 

barry island

Why make work for yourself just wait until the heap is ready to use, if you want it to look tidy make a tidy compost bin like Monty's.

Ilikeplants

Haha, I thought I’d make less work for myself by bagging one or two at a time in between jobs and then it’s done for autumn. Also thought it would dry out less so wasps don’t try to live in there.

Wilderbeast

If it's dry enough for wasps to live in I'd be adding water to the heap anyway. Half done compost needs moisture and will make better stuff if it's in a bigger heap. 

Ilikeplants

I’ve only found a wasp nest in one year, I’m very forgetful about watering the heap, I just let it get on with it and hope it rains soon.
I’ll leave it alone in its big heap and try to keep it stirred and shaken now and again. Thanks.

Posy

I don't understand why you bag it at all. Give it a good turn and water if dry but when it is ready it can go straight into the wheelbarrow and onto the garden.

Ilikeplants

I use to use bags fo that I could sieve some finer compost earlier than the twiggy stuff that goes in the borders so used to bag those as already separating it. I’ll try to be more patient and just leave it be until needed.