Rescuing the compost bin
Garden noob
Posts: 260
My compost bin has cooled right down in the last couple of weeks and seems to have stopped composting. It's surprisingly dry, the worms have left and the ants have just moved in. I'm trying to work out how to fix it.
With hindsight the reasons are obvious:
- I've added iron sulphate treated moss, which is acidic and known to reduce worm activity
- I've drenched the compost bin after finding a rat
- I've added shredded paper after the bin was too green, but perhaps too much
What would you do? I'm thinking of adding the charcoal ashes from my first barbecue to try to neutralise the pH; maybe peeing in it as an activator; and adding further waste in the hope it dilutes out the bad effects.
Or I could send the compost to the green waste and the tip and start again?
Posts
I think you might be over anyalysing things a bit too much.
I'd dig it all out, give it a good mix up and stick it all back in. Nature wants to degrade stuff, it's what happens. Sometimes it's quicker, sometimes slower, but it never stops.
We've all had bad batches. I'm sure if you re mix it all, along with warmer days, it'll kick back into action soon.
Don't despair.
IN FUTURE, I WOULD KEEP OUT ANYTHING THAT HAS BEEN USED AS "A KILLER" SUCH AS THE IRON SULPHATE.
COMPOST HEAPS ARE THE ULTIMATE ORGANIC ENVIRONMENT.
ALSO, ANYTHING ADDED IN EXCESS WILL PUT IT OUT OF KILTER SO TRY TO MAKE A BALANCED MIXTURE.
What they've said Gnoob
Don't add grass clippings that have been recently treated either - wait for about 6 weeks before you add them after using a weed and feed for instance.
if you want to speed things up - don't add onions or onion family as this actually slows things down.
i really would not worry. Just keep adding the waist and it will soon warm up.
taking it all out and mixing it up will help.
If ants have moved in then it sounds too dry to me?
Yeah, you're right that it's dry but I don't understand why - I really soaked it a week or two ago. My only thought is that perhaps the salt in the iron sulphate could have dried it? I'll keep it moist and well turned, and then see what happens.
The general theme seems to be to persevere and be patient - like most gardening projects.
Thanks all for the input
Yes be patient
add more green waste this will make it wetter.