Q.
Hi, I've just turned my compost heap as it looked to be half rotted and found it does not have any worms. I am mixing lawn clippings, vegetable peelings and garden weeds. It does not seem to get hot enough to decompose egg shells, orange peels or paper. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Thanks, Lesley.
A.
Hi Lesley, it sounds like your heap needs more carbon elements, that is twigs, sticks, bark etc. as you have too much green matter for the heap to heat up. Compost heaps should be at approx. 50% of each. Add in some more layers of cardboard, sticks or similar and sprinkle in Tumbleweed Worm Farm & Compost Conditioner - this will also help control pest infestations. Water and cover with plastic or a sheet, leave to heat up over 6-8 weeks and it should improve.
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How do I make my compost heap hot enough to break down material? Comments
i have always believed that worms don't like citrus skins. Is that true? If so should we put them in the compost?
Linda farley
Hi, I agree that equal measures of green and brown layered through compost is great. I also scatter a cup or so of dolomite lime now and again and a layer of mature compost adds microbes and worms to help the decomposition too.
Laura
I was interested to read your answer to Lesley's question. We have a small compost bin which is turned over now & again and we didn't get any worms for some time but we do now luckily. Good luck to Lesley.
Bev Phipps
Great advice thanks Laura! Jenna - Tui Team
jenna
Hi Linda. Great question. For worm farms we suggest only adding a very small amount of citrus peel mixed in well with other food as they are very acidic and the worms won't eat them as much. However, in a compost bin there isn't the same concentration of worms, so they are OK to add in bigger amounts, we would just suggest cutting them up small and mixing well. Thanks, Jenna - Tui Team
jenna
Our compost heap has a lot of slaters in it. Is this normal? If not, what's the best treatment?
Andy