Advice for a hopeless gardener

[GillyBee]

Potatoes grow better in my compost heap than anywhere else. I have tried courgettes there but the snails always destroy them.

[jansman]

Potatoes grow better in my compost heap than anywhere else. I have tried courgettes there but the snails always destroy them.

The compo heap is where mine are!

[GillyBee]

I relocated my compost heap for 6 months last year to a bit of garden that hasn't been doing well. Nothing would grow there. I suspected chalky soil plus a number of Mr GB's bonfires had killed the microbiome and left the alkalinity way too high. I am hoping the temporary compost heap will have given it the boost it needs (but it did look a right mess all winter)
Test seedlings are looking good so hopefully this patch of my small garden is now useful for something more than pots.

[jennyjj01]

Potatoes grow better in my compost heap than anywhere else. I have tried courgettes there but the snails always destroy them.

The compo heap is where mine are!

saves traveling to get rid of the glut

[GillyBee]

Exactly how big is your compost heap Jansman? i am getting visions now of a huge mountain of compost with spuds and courgettes coming out of it like quatermass.

[jansman]

Exactly how big is your compost heap Jansman? i am getting visions now of a huge mountain of compost with spuds and courgettes coming out of it like quatermass.

I have six heaps. They are upside down bins with the bottom cut out and holes in the sides. Green former recycling bins. I’ve only planted four of them!

[jennyjj01]

Exactly how big is your compost heap Jansman? i am getting visions now of a huge mountain of compost with spuds and courgettes coming out of it like quatermass.

I have six heaps. They are upside down bins with the bottom cut out and holes in the sides. Green former recycling bins. I’ve only planted four of them!

Planting in them gets a free crop, but won't it inhibit the composting process, at least preventing you from turning them? Or don't you turn them, Jansman as part of your energy saving ethos?

[jansman]

Exactly how big is your compost heap Jansman? i am getting visions now of a huge mountain of compost with spuds and courgettes coming out of it like quatermass.

I have six heaps. They are upside down bins with the bottom cut out and holes in the sides. Green former recycling bins. I’ve only planted four of them!

Planting in them gets a free crop, but won't it inhibit the composting process, at least preventing you from turning them? Or don't you turn them, Jansman as part of your energy saving ethos?

Spot on- energy saving ethos. Everything at the bottom of each bin rots. When I want compost I just lift the bin over and take some. Keep chucking material on top. Sometimes when I can be bothered, I leave them be. Those bins are ideal for worms too - fishing bait! I don’t make hard work of it. There’s always a bit of compost when needed.

[jennyjj01]

Jansman, Help me visualise these bin heaps. What type of bins? what shape and size? bottom chopped out?

[jansman]

Jansman, Help me visualise these bin heaps. What type of bins? what shape and size? bottom chopped out?

Photos won’t load! Anyhow,one plastic bin,upside down,totally open ended. Wide bore drill and put a few holes in sides if you can be bothered. Done! Lasts forever.Basically heavy plastic dustbins,but you could use old barrels etc. Adaptation.