Compost heaps-the ideal.

[sime42]

Pumpkins absolutely love growing in a compost heap. It's heaven for them with all the nutrients and warmth, providing they can get enough water.

 

 

[Botty Cough]

22 minutes ago, sime42 said:

Pumpkins absolutely love growing in a compost heap. It's heaven for them with all the nutrients and warmth, providing they can get enough water.

 

 

My all be it small compost heap I found when I moved here is now full of burnt coal ash and a few lawn trimmings.

Do pumpkins like that? If so could I grow squash?

[sime42]

26 minutes ago, Botty Cough said:

My all be it small compost heap I found when I moved here is now full of burnt coal ash and a few lawn trimmings.

Do pumpkins like that? If so could I grow squash?

 

Does burnt coal ash and lawn trimmings sound tasty and sustaining to you? 🤔

I'm guessing it wouldn't appeal to a pumpkin/squash either.

[peds]

Coal ash cannot go in the compost. Peat ash is fine, wood ash is best. Not too much. Consider adding ash after the active composting process, as it can mess with the right conditions for the fungal and bacterial biota, and allow it some time to mature before using. Add it when sifting or during the final turn, depending on your own system.

Keep a bucket of ash handy for planting or top dressing potassium-heavy feeders.

[Trailoftears]

3 connected wooden bays for me, which allows for rotation.Ideally all with hinged wooden lids which allows control over drying/wetting.Each bay 4-5 ft square.top of each heap covered with carpet offcuts to keep the wee beasties warm and snug.If no carpet available-flat cardboard boxes are good.If money's tight wooden pallets work ok for back/sides/inner partitions.each box gets a front face of slats of 6x1" for ease of removal/monitoring readiness.

Remember TOM-temp+oxygen+moisture.

Or WAM-warmth/air/moisture. 

[Botty Cough]

1 hour ago, peds said:

Coal ash cannot go in the compost. Peat ash is fine, wood ash is best. Not too much. Consider adding ash after the active composting process, as it can mess with the right conditions for the fungal and bacterial biota, and allow it some time to mature before using. Add it when sifting or during the final turn, depending on your own system.

Keep a bucket of ash handy for planting or top dressing potassium-heavy feeders.

Well I e put loads of call ash in with the lawn mowings. .. oh well...🤣

[Steven P]

Coal ash contains a lot of nasty stuff - arsenic amongst it - so not something to be spreading around the potatoes. Wood ash is different, can raise the PH / acidity levels (you can make strong caustic soda from wood ash), any unburnt bits add a nice bit of carbon too.

 

Having said that, my ashes go into a pile, I might add a shovel or 2 into a wheel barrow... but only after 6 to 8 months with the nasties being washed out by the rain.. to give a bit of grit to the mix, breaks up the clay soil slightly.

[Trailoftears]

Agree re: the comments above with wood ash,hardwood residue is q.potash rich.Coal-aargh!Feel free to occasionally slash in/on your pile-but NOT when your female employer is in the general vicinity 😳

[Steven P]

12 minutes ago, Trailoftears said:

Feel free to occasionally slash in/on your pile-but NOT when your female employer is in the general vicinity 😳

 

Fully agree... to the action and also as to being out of sight. When the family were younger potties of pee were a regular addition - but also to the lawn since human pee claims the territory from the neighbouring cats (and if your aim is good... on a cat - they really, really hate that).

[Trailoftears]

Just now, Steven P said:

 

Fully agree... to the action and also as to being out of sight. When the family were younger potties of pee were a regular addition - but also to the lawn since human pee claims the territory from the neighbouring cats (and if your aim is good... on a cat - they really, really hate that).

I'm asked time and time again-'how do we keep cats out of our garden'.Whist I (internally) suggest air rifles/gin traps-My general diplomatic answer is-you can't.I do know how to stop them crapping in your prize tubs containing tulip bulbs/baby bedding plants-short wiggly lengths of barbed wire (try burying that tigger),or perhaps more humanely short holly sprigs set vertically.Some Years ago you used to be able to buy bags of Lion poo-now I BET that put the fear of God into them!