Hi, the previous owners of the house had this compost pile in a corner of the property. Is like a fenced space of 1,5m x 2,5m and about a meter tall. Ive been adding my clippings and browns there, and looking at the bottom it seems to be working. But in one side there is a lot of construction rubbish, some bricks and stuff.
I was trying to move the organics to the "clean" side to remove that rubbish but the composted materials are down there too, loots of worms and good stuff.
I only have a spade and a rake, which makes the work difficult . But I guess Im gonna have to suck it up and get to it.
I guess I should also try to make a division in the middle so I can work two piles.
What are your thoughts?
Replies
Hi,
In my experience a compost heap needs to be at least a metre in diameter and height to generate and keep in enough heat to break things down well. If you don't have enough compostable material to make your existing heap 1m high then maybe you should divide it into two heaps. Also then you could fill one up and leave it to break down while you fill the other one.
If the construction rubbish has some new concrete in it, your compost will probably get some of the calcium that will leach out of that, so it could be a bonus! I agree with Margaret on this also.
If you have access to lawn clippings, a thin layer on top and around the sides will help to speed up the process, in my experience.
Cheers,
Ingrid
Don't worry about it. When the heap is full start another alongside it and leave this one to mature; when It has all turned to compost it will be clean and easy to handle and you can pick out the bricks and rubbish then. If the worms and stuff are all working around this rubble then obviously its not doing any harm and it will be a mucky job trying to get it all out now - and if you want to divide it into two heaps the best time is when the bin is empty.