Friday, 3 March 2017

Spring Preparations on the Allotment - Compost - Part One

Allotment Growing - Compost
Allotment Growing - Compost

Compost is a cornerstone of the allotment - as I've mentioned in previous posts.

This Spring (says feeling slightly smug) - the work I've put in over the previous months will pay off, as I have all the bases covered.

Over my next two or three blog posts I'll talk about various aspects of compost and increasing the fertility of the allotment plot - including:
  • Compost
  • Manure
  • Green Manure
  • Leaf Mould
  • Bean Trench / Pea Trench
  • Comfrey
  • Nettle Fertliser
All of these are broadly "organic" methods and use natural recycling to achieve results.


Compost Bins

Allotment Growing - Compost Bins
I have three compost bins on the plot which has enabled me to get a good "compost cycle" going.

This means having one "live bin" added to through the season. One "put to bed bin" which is covered and left to rot down for 6 to 12 months. One "spare /overflow" bin to use as needed.

Allotment Growing - Compost Bins
This is my "live bin" which is looking a bit full already.

It will have more space as the weather warms up and the material rots down faster.

I'll continue adding to this throughout the growing season.

Allotment Growing - Compost Bins
This is my "put to bed bin" - covered in cardboard sheets and some wood chips to keep some of the heat in.

It was closed last Autumn and the compost should be ready to use this Autumn after a good 12 months rotting down.

I'll then spread the compost onto the growing beds to break down further through Winter ready for Spring planting.


Allotment Growing - Compost Bins
The bins were built using old wooden pallets.

A cheap and easy way to build.

To see how to build these read my previous post:
Building A Wooden Pallet Compost Bin






More on composting and preparations for Spring in my next post:
Spring Preparations on the Allotment - Compost - Part Two.

Including:
  • Manure
  • Green Manure
  • Leaf Mould


Allotment Growing - Sweetcorn

Visit my Facebook Page - Allotment Growing
- for lots more information, growing tips and photos:
Allotment Growing

You might also enjoy:
Autumn Allotment Jobs - Putting The Compost To Bed

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2 comments:

  1. www.allotmentmum.co.uk4 March 2017 at 22:50

    That looks great, your plants will be so rich in nutrients with that lot. I find myself getting so impatient with compost but I know it will be worth it. I also make nettle tea, but am growing comfrey this year too, so will see if there's any difference.

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  2. Steve McIntosh5 March 2017 at 14:32

    Compost does take time - but at least there is not much work to do once the heap is done - let the worms and bugs do the work for you.
    I'll be picking and soaking more nettles this year - free fertiliser - no brainer.
    I planted some Comfrey in October, but it seems to have died back and disappeared - hope it grows back in Spring.

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