Compost and Veg
This page is being written now/dreckly - see additions during 2024! Button (Optional)Composting and growing vegetables
by Miranda Penhaligon
I am Master Composter trained by Garden Organic (ex HDRA) and Oxfordshire County Council.
I also spent 5 months training on vegetable & fruit growing, at Trengwainton (National Open College Network, Level 2).
I use organic principles and a low-effort method of composting. For example, she only turn her compost once a year.
Composting
I use the Three Bin system – NB these bins are available commercially, and hers are at least 12 years old and may be beginning to ‘self-compost’!
Bin One filling with material, bin two filled and ready to turn, bin three- turned and being used. See pictures on the right.
One of the problems I have is is that her bins are very exposed to wind and rain as can be seen in the final picture.
Composting challenges peculiar to West Penwith
- High Wind – dries the compost out &/ blows material away! Ensure wind protection/heavy material to weigh compost ingredients down and don’t have too many open slats in your bin design.
- Too much rain in winter (Oct to April) – leaches out nutrients – use a lid/cover.
- Too dry in summer (May to Sept) – may need to ‘water’ your compost.
Opportunities peculiar to West Penwith
- Pretty warm, so composting process continues most of the year.
- Supply of seaweed, nettles & if you’re lucky, comfrey.
- Quite a few horses in West Penwith – Develop a relationship with the owners as they will bite your hand off if you can take their manure away.
To learn more about making compost click the image below and watch a video from the RHS
For more information on composting from Garden Organic click the button below
Charles Dowding Composting Information
For a more detailed but very informative YouTube on making and using compost, click on the button below to see & hear Charles Dowding on composting. He is also renowned for his ‘No Dig’ philosophy of using compost – ie less hard work! Gone are the days of Double Digging (in general
Click the button below (apologies for some adverts)
DUNG DROP – Buryan Young Farmers deliver free in the area. Cost /bag is v reasonable, but material is fresh from cow barns, so needs stacking for 6 months before use. It is worth asking about pesticide used on the cow fodder in case this is present in dung (though I never heard of this problem here in Penwith). See the listing below.
The Annual Dung Run! – Order yours now
Great value manure for composting delivered to your door.
One word of warning. It is often fairly raw and will need composting before spreading.
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