Turning wood chips into great compost

[@wendycullingworth3879]

Compost heaps are my favorite part of the garden - so much life and promise. Thanks for sharing your allotment journey and knowledge. 🌱🍅🍓

[@trockodile]

Excellent video, thank you for uploading! We're making compost via multiple poultry enclosures (inspired by Edible Acres here on KZbin) by cutting weeds/grass for them every other day as well as a large 3 bay system inspired by Charles Dowding (fill bay 1, let it sit after multiple top ups, then fill 3, let it sit after multiple topping ups, turn 1 into bay 2 to add air and mix, and start all over again with filling bay 1, etc). We're also trialing full on hot compost in a converted freezer (inspired by Tec Mow channel here on KZbin) but haven't decided if it's worthwhile at our scale as yet. We like to have compost from different streams/sources and made from multiple resources. The larger Charles Dowding inspired 3 bay system gets a lot of chipped branches from here on the farm and shredded cardboard, the poultry enclosures get pine wood chip bedding from their houses mixed in, the hot bed freezer compost relies heavily on household food fast (as it keeps off rats and mice by composting inside a converted chest freezer) so each has it's value. We tried compost/wood chip pathways but couldn't make enough wood chips to make this truly work for us, but it showed promise and maybe something we trial again but add a weed suppression base of sheep's wool with the chips and odd weeds thrown on top (I think this was a Huw Richard's idea, but couldn't swear to it!). It certainly all helps though given how poor the commercial compost seems to be in our area presently. Keep up the awesome work, your gardens/undercover spaces are truly inspirational. Thank you!👍

[@SteveRichards]

Thanks, I don't quite have farm scale space, so I have to work with much smaller bins, which means more turns to get the same results : All the best - Steve

[@timsmith5019]

Brilliant system. Many thanks for sharing.

[@leewozzashomeveggiegarden]

Nice video Steve , keep up the good work and videos

[@MuddyBootz]

A good mix Steve. I blend horse manure in with my wood chip and that breaks down fairly quickly. The worm compost is my favourite process, ideal for seed sowing, just wish I could dry it out quicker. Do you have any issues with rats in the compost bins? Cheers. Nigel

[@SteveRichards]

Sorry Nigel, I did reply to this, but YT seems to have recorded only an empty comment at my end. Anyway, I don't have access to uncomposted horse manure, I've used stable bedding extensively but I found that introduced a lot of weed seeds, so I've switched to chip as my brown base ingredient, it still can have weeds, but it certainly gets hot and stays hot for a long time. I've also changed my approach to sowing, I now only use seed compost to prick out from and even then I fill the bottom 2/3 of my pricking out trays with Erin Multipurpose compost, which is cheap as chips (3 for £15) at the local garden centre. I use it exclusively not for everything (pricking out, potting on, hanging baskets and large pots) and it's great to have only one cheap compost to buy. For sowing I fill the bottom 2/3 and top with seed compost. Rats used to be an issue when I put whole onions, carrots, apples, pears, beets etc in the compost, but now that I make sure they are all chopped, I've not had an issue, chopped veg composts so much quicker. Also fairly regular turning helps too, they are not keen on that! Thanks for the Long Red Florence tip too, they were much better germinators than the Zebrune and have grown very nicely : All the best - Steve

[@MuddyBootz]

@@SteveRichards I totally agree that the horse manure does introduce weeds. Had far better results with cow manure that I rot down for a year. It also retains moisture very well 👍🏻

[@SteveRichards]

@MuddyBootz I buy cow manure in composted, it’s my favourite, can’t buy it uncomposted unfortunately

[@rubiccube8953]

Your quite an athlete with that pile Steve 9 minutes ! Takes me about an hour using a long handled fork. I’ve found that if I just pile up wood chip with some coffee grounds and keep it damp without moving for a year or two fungi works it’s way through the pile and the wood chip is then more easily composted with greens . It’s a bit of an art because the the wood chip dropped off is always different. I’ve had excellent results mixing the finished compost which tends to be very sticky with shop bought 1/4 coir compost which is very water repellent and open. Do you find the wood chip compost keeps the plot soil more friable than horse manure?

[@SteveRichards]

I don't have space for piles of chip or leaves, so I just have to compost everything directly. I don't like horse manure for mulching, it's too sticky and lumpy, but stable bedding is ok, although it tends to be full of seeds, often very nasty weed seeds, which usually survive composting. My soil is always friable, because it's basically sand : All the best - Steve

[@SteveRichards]

It's flattering to be described as an athlete, unfortunately I'm far them that, but I do approach it like a workout and since I don't like gyms it's a great bonus : All the best - Steve

[@markshaw5835]

Love a compost video wish I could get hold of wood chip.

[@SteveRichards]

have you tried ringing around tree surgeons Mark?

[@markshaw5835]

@@SteveRichards I did try a few the issue I had was there just to much for whay i could use or store.

[@SteveRichards]

@@markshaw5835 if we need a small amount we have a guy who will deliver it in 40L bags, £2 each : All the best - Steve

[@markshaw5835]

@@SteveRichards might have a look and see if I can get the same thanks