In the land of the long white cloud (NZ), where grass grows in the blink of an eye, having a compost bin is a very handy thing. The grass clippings are great for mixing in with fruit and vege peelings to make lovely rich compost (even better if you can get some sheep manure). We also put mounded grass clippings in a circle around the root line of citrus trees to help retain moisture and provide added nutrients. If you can’t find a real compost bin you could just get a big garden bin with a lid and cut a hole in the bottom so you can remove the compost when it’s ready. Here lots of people are into worm farms too, which are great for fruit and vege peelings, or even organic nappies, but I’m not sure how well they would handle grass clippings.
Fraussie
May 8th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
We do actually have a compost bin that is now full of grass cuttings (and couldn’t take them all). Relationnel thinks you’re not supposed to put citrus fruit in the compost. Do you know about that? We’re wondering if we should be adding anything kind of starter to the bin too.
Kiwi
May 8th, 2012 at 11:05 pm
I remember something about citrus making the compost very acid. I guess it depends on what you’re intending to use it for and what the soil’s like.
Some people here do Bokashi compost, which requires a kind of starter, but we don’t add anything special to ours. http://www.zingbokashi.co.nz/using-bokashi.htm
Here’s a link to the AKL council website’s tips for starting a normal compost heap/bin with simple, comprehensive instructions, including what you can and can’t put in it (detailed list!): http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/services/garden/compost.asp
They say you can use a starter if you want, but that it’s the size of the pieces of organic matter that counts more than anything.
I’m not sure what happens in winter, since it doesn’t freeze in AKL. This link simply says it’s slower in winter: http://www.grownups.co.nz/read/lifestyle/gardening/making-compost
Fraussie
May 9th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Thanks, Kiwi, for all those links. I am going to study up on the subject for when we go back again in two weeks’ time!
I contacted my husband who is passionate about composting. He recommended the 10 composting tips at http://www.squidoo.com/compostingbasics
He also advised to mix grass clippings with dead leaves, and citrus is OK in small amounts.
Bonne chance!
In the land of the long white cloud (NZ), where grass grows in the blink of an eye, having a compost bin is a very handy thing. The grass clippings are great for mixing in with fruit and vege peelings to make lovely rich compost (even better if you can get some sheep manure). We also put mounded grass clippings in a circle around the root line of citrus trees to help retain moisture and provide added nutrients. If you can’t find a real compost bin you could just get a big garden bin with a lid and cut a hole in the bottom so you can remove the compost when it’s ready. Here lots of people are into worm farms too, which are great for fruit and vege peelings, or even organic nappies, but I’m not sure how well they would handle grass clippings.
We do actually have a compost bin that is now full of grass cuttings (and couldn’t take them all). Relationnel thinks you’re not supposed to put citrus fruit in the compost. Do you know about that? We’re wondering if we should be adding anything kind of starter to the bin too.
I remember something about citrus making the compost very acid. I guess it depends on what you’re intending to use it for and what the soil’s like.
Some people here do Bokashi compost, which requires a kind of starter, but we don’t add anything special to ours.
http://www.zingbokashi.co.nz/using-bokashi.htm
Here’s a link to the AKL council website’s tips for starting a normal compost heap/bin with simple, comprehensive instructions, including what you can and can’t put in it (detailed list!):
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/services/garden/compost.asp
They say you can use a starter if you want, but that it’s the size of the pieces of organic matter that counts more than anything.
I’m not sure what happens in winter, since it doesn’t freeze in AKL. This link simply says it’s slower in winter:
http://www.grownups.co.nz/read/lifestyle/gardening/making-compost
Thanks, Kiwi, for all those links. I am going to study up on the subject for when we go back again in two weeks’ time!
I contacted my husband who is passionate about composting. He recommended the 10 composting tips at http://www.squidoo.com/compostingbasics
He also advised to mix grass clippings with dead leaves, and citrus is OK in small amounts.
Bonne chance!
Wonderful. We’ll put all this into pratice!