Making Compost.

[MWB]

I've been putting all the weeds, grass clippings, etc into a pile in a corner of my garden. Will I be able to use it as compost when it's all mulched down, or will it just sprout the weeds again?

[Booldawg]

mix in a bit of topsoil with it too. I've also heard not to use too many grass clippings but have forgotten why.

Yes you will be able to use it when its mulched down. I would avoid putting weeds in there as they can germinate again and grow back (as you fear)

[MWB]

Booldawg, thanks.

Then I probably won't be able to use it as it's really all weeds & grass clippings. :(

[weeal]

put leaves in, leaf mulch is really good for the soil

[carlton23]

Better to get a black compost bin and if poss put firstly a bedding of straw in the base and then add all your weeds (except dandelions and perennial weeds) and gradually build it up adding some compost maker powder every 9" or so. mix grass cuttings with it all by forking it all together. Anything that was originally grown will rot down eventually, cardboard etc.

[terambulan]

that will be a slimy, smelly sludge - full of snails & slugs.

Ideally it should be contained above ground in aereated mesh/wood and turned monthly.

[MWB]

What about these "compost makers" you can buy?

[terambulan]

If you want to spend out - then they're better than what you're doing. Or a wooden crate on bricks. Even pallets boxed in with heavy netting.

[thugulike]

I made a compost bin out of pallets and it's been working for many years. Why don't you save all the fruit and veg peelings and put these in? I have a bin full every week and up it goes to compost corner. It's the organic waste which makes beautiful compost. We also put leaves and grass cuttings but not weeds. They do say that any weed seeds/roots will die if the compost gets hot enough but I don't take that chance and I put those in the garden wheelie bin along with any hard wood sticks etc. Try covering your compost with some old carpet or plastic as this speeds up the process.