Speed of decomposition. heap heat and eventual results can vary a lot! See a range of possibilities for making compost.
This is May and already there is a decent amount of new growth. I show you how we add it to heaps of varied types and dimensions here.
A key tip is to balance green and brown. Often this can automatically regulate moisture levels – you want it moist but not wet.
There is no obligation for heaps to be hot. We see how red worms (Esenia fetida) arrive as heaps cool down, naturally.
We finish with a look at my new wormery.
00:00 Intro
00:17 What is compost?
00:34 I show you my largest compost bays, and explain how to generate heat
02:12 How the compost looks after 5 months, and some info on worms
02:47 Compost at 7 months, with a brief mention of sieving, and when that might be useful
03:18 How I use compost on no dig beds
03:52 Some smaller heaps, made with pallets, and what we add to these heaps
05:06 Adding weed roots to heaps, this is fine!
05:28 A look at compost materials – grass cuttings, cauliflower leaves, kitchen waste (including rhubarb leaves!), old potting compost
06:22 How to compost woody brassica stalks, and other woody materials
07:30 I explain the three-bay system – both outer heaps go into the middle when turned
07:57 A word on finding wildlife in compost!
08:29 I talk about having woody material in compost – which types aren’t good, which are, and the reasons why
09:13 Some info on green material, and eventual sieving to remove large pieces of wood
09:57 A look at a pile of wood chip
10:27 I show you a compost bin suitable for a smaller garden
11:13 A brief word on stage of decomposition for using compost
11:28 Something completely different! I show you my new wormery, including a slow worm, and explain how we will use the compost from it
14:05 Further resources on compost making
I spoke a new audiobook for my course book about no dig gardening which has a chapter on making compost, https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Charles-Dowdings-No-Dig-Gardening-Course-1-Audiobook/B09YL9MSLL?qid=1650977935&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=c6e316b8-14da-418d-8f91-b3cad83c5183&pf_rd_r=50KXG6DTX32WGN5H0099
Events of MAY:
Workshop to make a no dig bed with Charles at Riverford Farm, Devon – 12th May https://fieldkitchen.riverford.co.uk/mevents/no-dig-demo-with-charles-dowding/
Evening talk from me and an excellent supper at Riverford Field Kitchen – 12th May https://fieldkitchen.riverford.co.uk/mevents/no-dig-dinner-with-charles-dowding/
Carey’s Secret Garden – 16th May 2022 – Master Class https://bookings.careyssecretgarden.co.uk/event/no-dig-masterclass-with-charles-dowding-mon-16th-may-2022
Carey’s Secret Garden – 16th May 2022 – Evening Talk https://bookings.careyssecretgarden.co.uk/event/an-evening-with-charles-dowding
Filmed 6th May at my no dig market and teaching/trials garden. Homeacres, Southwest England, temperate oceanic zone 8 climate.
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