The Compost Doctor Is In

When Ms Cowgirl wrote to Doctor Compost for help, he was so moved by her decomposition distress that he wondered how many other lost souls might benefit from his rot remedies. This is the result: welcome to the Compost Doctor problem page.

Ms Cowgirl wrote:

Dear Compost Doctor why won't my compost heap rot?.. my breakdown rate has broken down, despite vigorous stirring and liberal applications of shop bought compost accelerant...all I see is dried up grass clippings, the only sign of any change are the pale spots left by my dried tears... please, Compost Doctor can you help?

The Compost Doctor lifts a handful of the specimen kindly provided by Ms Cowgirl, lifts it to his nose and breathes in deeply closing his eyes. He nods sagely and then inspects the sorry sample separating the contents with his index figure. Finally his expression changes from one of professional appraisal to one of satisfaction as he sits down to write:

Dear Ms Cowgirl,
Calm yourself, all is not lost. Firstly I notice that this specimen consists predominantly of grass clippings which, whilst they will eventually decompose, are notoriously bad rotters - they are not the ideal basis for a beginners heap. I prescribe daily doses of mixed vegetable matter for this heap: peelings, salad, raw vegetables. If the grass clippings are dry it may be rather too late for them; but if you add a good moist mixture of vegetable matter you may save them.

Secondly, you don't mention worms. Brandling worms (pictured courtesy of British Worm Breeders) are a friend to compost, they are the best of all compost accelerants. I wonder whether your heap is on a solid base or on soil. It wants to be on bare earth - break up the earth beneath it and then replace your container. If you provide plenty of good food for the worms they will repay your kindness by converting it into rich compost in half the time (did you know people actually buy worms for the purpose?). Incidentally, the addition of fresh horse manure will help to both encourage decomposition and encourage worms to join the fun - but don't forget to stir it all in.

Thirdly I was worried by the dryness - decomposition occurs best in moist (not sloppy) conditions (though undisturbed grass clipping clumps have a habit of looking dry on the outside whilst being wet on the inside). Bottom line: if you are happy that your heap is well aerated and your grass is nicely distributed throughout, it may need watering. Watering your heap is a good thing; watering it with a naturally occurring solution high in nitrogenous compounds is all the better - see where I'm going?

In summary, Ms Cowgirl, compost, like most of us, likes daily love and attention. Invest time and a good melange of vegetable matter in your heap and your reward will be great.

Lots of love,

Compost Doctor

I told the Doctor that I didn't think his signing off was quite professional but he insisted. Watch this space for more compost diagnoses.

The Rot Has Set In; I'm Glad To Say

It's funny how something that started out as a practical way to recycle food waste has become - according to people around me - an obsession. Regular readers know that Mrs C and I are keen gardeners; composting is a natural and not unusual part of that process; but somewhere along the line I seem to have been swept along by a tidal wave of rotting vegetation and aerobic decomposition. I suppose it started with a simple interest in how to make the compost process as efficient as possible - not unreasonable, so I applied 'A' Level Biological (D Grade) knowledge to understand the relevance of the difference between anaerobic decomposition (slow, wet and smelly) and anaerobic decomposition (fast, moist and aromatic).
Most evenings when adding something to my two-bin system, I turn the contents to let the air circulate; and I do add something every day: do not be surprised if you find used teabags or your lunchtime apple core disappearing form your desk (what do you mean you don't leave them on your desk?).
I also quickly learnt the benefit of adding nitrogenous compost accelerators, for example chicken manure or urine (and with my new compost bins above waist height that is quite a challenge I can tell you). Other compost accelerators include fresh animal manure and I think this was the tipping point between interest and obsession. On countryside walks with Mrs C and the dog I am eager to gather souvenirs to take home to add richness to my own little corner of the garden.

But the rewards for dedication to this decaying art are great: the harvest of rich peaty material spread from my heap to the garden is only bettered by the harvest of fruit and flowers fed by my rotten viand. Almost a metaphor of life: the cycle of things failing and decaying only to regenerate new life and growth (blimey, I almost shed a tear then).