The Poultry Keeper

NannyP · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 11:35 pm Post subject:

Yes, you have a lot of muck. I don't Crying or Very sad

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 11:36 pm Post subject:

Doesn't have to be - I usually use peat on top coz it looks better, but that's me. In one of her illustrations she has a layer of wood ash on top. If you are using a lot of muck I would make sure you have something else in too, eg wood shavings or hay. Pure muck could be a bit powerful.

debcat · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 11:38 pm Post subject:

got loads of used shavings and hay as well
And Peat.

Nannyp I have too much muck, don't now what to do with it all

NannyP · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 11:42 pm Post subject:

Hmm, I don't know either and I could do with some of it down here Laughing

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 11:43 pm Post subject:

The one I am making at the moment has, so far, wet newspaper, rabbit hutch cleanings (my son's contribution), hen house cleanings that were sitting in feed bags for a couple of months (pew!), compost heap contents, peat, seaweed, and the contents of last year's bed. Keeping my eye open for a neighbour starting up a lawnmower! lol!

I have a worm bin that produces good compost for starting hte seeds in. Got peas and beans waiting to go in and potatoes for my next bed. Not good at knowing what needs what - more a try it and see type of gardener.

debcat · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 11:46 pm Post subject:

I don't get grass cuttings, just let the sheep loose and it's done for you.
i've ordered sprouts, sweetcorn, broccili and peas.
Don't now if they will grow here but I'll have a go

NannyP · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 3:50 pm Post subject:

Okay, I've had an idea..................what if I use my enclosed compost heap, which is already layered with all of the gredients and just top it off with some suitable planting medium and plant away. I could then use the new pile, for a new compost heap Confused

This would solve the problem of my original being pretty hard to get into to turn?

Very Happy

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

good thinking nannyp, what you going to plant?

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 6:55 pm Post subject:

sounds good to me

NannyP · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 7:20 pm Post subject:

Not sure, it's not a lot of room, but maybe some lettuce, radish and as you suggested a courgette plant.
What should I use on top as the growing medium, will my ordinary potting comppost do, or is that a waste?
Confused

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

what's your soil like? If that's ok I might be inclined to mix that with some compost, maybe 50/50

NannyP · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 7:50 pm Post subject:

Soil, soil?? We don't have soil (well we do, but that'll be underneath the grass and shrubs Very Happy

) and would require DIGGING . Remember, it's me, I don't do digging Laughing

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 8:54 pm Post subject:

I would use either some of the stuff from the bottom of the pile - id you can get to it or your potting compost, you d'on't need very much. If you use soil you risk adding weeds to your seeds.

NannyP · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 8:58 pm Post subject:

I cannot imagine how I will get to the bottom of the compost heap, maybe I can persuade Mark to try. I think I'll use compost on top as my first go Laughing

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 9:06 pm Post subject:

You just need enough to give teh seeds a grip - tease the top layer of your heap apart and make a channel for the compost and seeds.