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Home > Archive > UK gardening > May 2007 > Pre Composting Shredded Paper.
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Pre Composting Shredded Paper.
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| steve auvache 2007-05-24, 8:25 pm |
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Today I became the proud owner of a paper shredder. I have been wanting
one of those for ages. Free compost from my local newspaper baron! Oh
joy.
I have been fondly anticipating this day and have been saving up my
waste deliberately for some time now.
Bulks up a bit dunnit.
So, we come to the nub of the problem. I figure I can pre-compost the
small mountain of shreddings coming my way soon in a semi controlled
environment prior to mixing with general compost material for a longer
decompose.
I plan to do this by adding an accelerant, some water, perhaps some
worms and a handful or two of ready fermented compost and dirt to the
council provided eminently biodegradable especially for the purpose
plastic bag(s) they are going to be in.
The questions are:-
How long before the bags crumble to dust?
They may have to live in partial sunlight.
How much water?
I was thinking of 1:1 by weight but it is a guess.
How many worms,
Some or Lots and depending on the answer to the first question,
do they need holes?
How much dirt?
1:1 again.
--
steve auvache
A Bloo one with built in safety features
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| Alan Holmes 2007-05-25, 9:25 am |
|
"steve auvache" <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> wrote in message
news:iM+$ZJGlOhVGFwf4@auvache.force9.co.uk...
>
> Today I became the proud owner of a paper shredder. I have been wanting
> one of those for ages. Free compost from my local newspaper baron! Oh
> joy.
>
> I have been fondly anticipating this day and have been saving up my
> waste deliberately for some time now.
>
> Bulks up a bit dunnit.
>
> So, we come to the nub of the problem. I figure I can pre-compost the
> small mountain of shreddings coming my way soon in a semi controlled
> environment prior to mixing with general compost material for a longer
> decompose.
>
> I plan to do this by adding an accelerant, some water, perhaps some
> worms and a handful or two of ready fermented compost and dirt to the
> council provided eminently biodegradable especially for the purpose
> plastic bag(s) they are going to be in.
>
>
> The questions are:-
>
> How long before the bags crumble to dust?
> They may have to live in partial sunlight.
>
> How much water?
> I was thinking of 1:1 by weight but it is a guess.
>
> How many worms,
> Some or Lots and depending on the answer to the first question,
> do they need holes?
>
> How much dirt?
> 1:1 again.
I just put it on the compost heap, not in very large quantities, but fairly
evenly distributed with ordinary compost material and grass cuttings, I
usually rely pon the rain to give me the water required, but in dry weather
a little now and again.
If your compost heap is straight on the ground you will not need to add
worms, they will find their own way in.
I wouldn't bother with putting it in plastic bags, just go straight to the
compost heap.
You could put some on the heap without shredding it, just as long as it is
only a small amount at a time, might be better not left in sheets though,
screw it up a bit.
| |
| Broadback 2007-05-25, 9:25 am |
| Alan Holmes wrote:
> "steve auvache" <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> wrote in message
> news:iM+$ZJGlOhVGFwf4@auvache.force9.co.uk...
>
> I just put it on the compost heap, not in very large quantities, but fairly
> evenly distributed with ordinary compost material and grass cuttings, I
> usually rely pon the rain to give me the water required, but in dry weather
> a little now and again.
>
> If your compost heap is straight on the ground you will not need to add
> worms, they will find their own way in.
>
> I wouldn't bother with putting it in plastic bags, just go straight to the
> compost heap.
>
> You could put some on the heap without shredding it, just as long as it is
> only a small amount at a time, might be better not left in sheets though,
> screw it up a bit.
>
>
Ah yes, I have a shredder. I also shred newspaper as well as everything
with personal details on. Having a lot of grass cuttings I layer it in
the compost heap with the grass, however experience has taught me that
it is best to wet the shredded paper beforehand, seems to rot better
that way.
| |
| steve auvache 2007-05-25, 9:25 am |
| In article <Paz5i.5772$RP4.5405@newsfe2-win.ntli.net>, Alan Holmes
<alan_holmes@nowhere.com> writes
>
>"steve auvache" <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> wrote in message
>news:iM+$ZJGlOhVGFwf4@auvache.force9.co.uk...
[color=darkred]
>I just put it on the compost heap, not in very large quantities, but fairly
>evenly distributed with ordinary compost material and grass cuttings, I
>usually rely pon the rain to give me the water required, but in dry weather
>a little now and again.
>
>If your compost heap is straight on the ground you will not need to add
>worms, they will find their own way in.
>
>I wouldn't bother with putting it in plastic bags, just go straight to the
>compost heap.
Problem is that I have a rather large quantity of paper stored ready to
shred. Were it a normal week's collection of junk it would not be a
problem but the sheer mass of it all calls for special treatment as a
one off exercise.
>
>You could put some on the heap without shredding it,
and not play with my new toy, are you mad?
--
steve auvache
A Bloo one with built in safety features
| |
| Pam Moore 2007-05-25, 1:25 pm |
| On Fri, 25 May 2007 14:51:45 +0100, steve auvache
<dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> wrote:
>
>Problem is that I have a rather large quantity of paper stored ready to
>shred. Were it a normal week's collection of junk it would not be a
>problem but the sheer mass of it all calls for special treatment as a
>one off exercise.
You're not shredding newspaper are you? In my experience if you just
tear it up roughly, and mix it with other compost it will rot down
quickly. You will blunt the blades of your shredder too soon if you
use newspaper. Personal letters etc are all you need to shred.
If you are using an accelerator (urine is the cheapest!) don't add
worms as well. Either have a worm bin or an ordinary compost bin/heap.
Tearing newspaper is very therapeutic, once you find that broadsheets
tear one way and tablloids tear the other. Tear it into strips 3 or 4
inches wide and you will have it done quicker than shredding!
If you have lawn mowings, mix that in with the paper.
Pam in Bristol
| |
| steve auvache 2007-05-25, 1:25 pm |
| In article <712e5396g8lpoitd399932ng38gk098i51@4ax.com>, Pam Moore
<NOSpam.moore@NOSPAMvirgin.net> writes
>On Fri, 25 May 2007 14:51:45 +0100, steve auvache
><dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> wrote:
>
>
>You're not shredding newspaper are you?
Not yet. Old training manuals at the moment, printed on marketing
department friendly recycled bleach free paper.
> In my experience if you just
>tear it up roughly, and mix it with other compost it will rot down
>quickly.
As I said I have been saving for this day and judging by the way it is
bulking up I will soon have many times the volume of shredded than I
have composting capacity with much more waiting in the wings, which is
why I want to pre-process it.
>If you have lawn mowings, mix that in with the paper.
I have long since turned the back garden into a veggie plot and am in
the process of remaking the front into wild flowers so not a grass
clipping in sight. Tbh I don't get that much waste out of it all these
days and I view the paper as a real bonus.
--
steve auvache
A Bloo one with built in safety features
| |
| Alan Holmes 2007-05-25, 1:25 pm |
|
"steve auvache" <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> wrote in message
news:2C7aK8BxnuVGFwNJ@auvache.force9.co.uk...
> In article <Paz5i.5772$RP4.5405@newsfe2-win.ntli.net>, Alan Holmes
> <alan_holmes@nowhere.com> writes
>
>
> Problem is that I have a rather large quantity of paper stored ready to
> shred. Were it a normal week's collection of junk it would not be a
> problem but the sheer mass of it all calls for special treatment as a
> one off exercise.
Just have some patience do it a bit at a time.
>
> and not play with my new toy, are you mad?
Sorry, not thinking prperly, and of course you should use your new toy, but
still use the results a little at a time!
| |
| Anne Jackson 2007-05-25, 5:25 pm |
| The message from steve auvache <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> contains these words:
> How much water?
> I was thinking of 1:1 by weight but it is a guess.
Never mind 'water', pee on the compost. That's the best
accelerant there is...
--
AnneJ
Freedom is always the freedom of dissenters.
~Rosa Luxemburg
| |
|
| On 25/5/07 20:49, in article xfOLdhAl3zVGFwds@auvache.force9.co.uk, "steve
auvache" <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> wrote:
> In article <313030303432363046573C8614@zetnet.co.uk>, Anne Jackson
> <amygdala@zetnet.co.uk> writes
>
> Even at my age, with all it implies for quantity and quality of product,
> there is a limit and at the rate I am stockpiling the shreddings, I
> shall have a pot to piss in for quite some time to come.
Tsk. With a little imagination and diligence, you could form your own pot
in papier maché....!
>
<snip>
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
(remove weeds from address)
| |
| Rupert \(W.Yorkshire\) 2007-05-25, 5:25 pm |
|
"steve auvache" <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> wrote in message
news:QtcjxJAucxVGFway@auvache.force9.co.uk...
> In article <712e5396g8lpoitd399932ng38gk098i51@4ax.com>, Pam Moore
> <NOSpam.moore@NOSPAMvirgin.net> writes
>
> Not yet. Old training manuals at the moment, printed on marketing
> department friendly recycled bleach free paper.
>
>
>
> As I said I have been saving for this day and judging by the way it is
> bulking up I will soon have many times the volume of shredded than I
> have composting capacity with much more waiting in the wings, which is
> why I want to pre-process it.
>
>
>
>
> I have long since turned the back garden into a veggie plot and am in
> the process of remaking the front into wild flowers so not a grass
> clipping in sight. Tbh I don't get that much waste out of it all these
> days and I view the paper as a real bonus.
>
>
Well what's wrong with just burying the stuff in the veg plot. Folk normally
just bury unshredded newspaper but I do underasand your need to shred x10:-)
>
> --
> steve auvache
> A Bloo one with built in safety features
| |
|
| steve auvache <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> writes
>
>Problem is that I have a rather large quantity of paper stored ready to
>shred. Were it a normal week's collection of junk it would not be a
>problem but the sheer mass of it all calls for special treatment as a
>one off exercise.
>
I put all our cardboard bags as well as all our paper waste on to the
compost heap. In winter, the heap is nearly all paper, most of it
unshredded. It copes. The worms seem to be particularly fond of thick
soggy layers of paper.
Can you put a six inch layer of shreddings then find some sort of waste
greenery, enough for a six inch layer, or instead about 2 inches of top
soil, then another 6 inches of shreddings, and so on?
--
Kay
| |
| steve auvache 2007-05-26, 3:25 am |
| In article <46575817@212.67.96.135>, Rupert (W.Yorkshire)
<reply@newsgroups.com> writes
>Well what's wrong with just burying the stuff in the veg plot. Folk normally
>just bury unshredded newspaper but I do underasand your need to shred x10:-)
I don't know how you manage your veggie plot but digging it up at this
time of year is not high on my list of priorities.
--
steve auvache
A Bloo one with built in safety features
| |
| steve auvache 2007-05-26, 3:25 am |
| In article <JtIIQ2Dwd1VGFw5v@scarboro.demon.co.uk>, K
<k@scarboro.demon.co.uk> writes
>steve auvache <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> writes
>I put all our cardboard bags as well as all our paper waste on to the
>compost heap. In winter, the heap is nearly all paper, most of it
>unshredded. It copes. The worms seem to be particularly fond of thick
>soggy layers of paper.
>
>Can you put a six inch layer of shreddings then find some sort of waste
>greenery, enough for a six inch layer, or instead about 2 inches of top
>soil, then another 6 inches of shreddings, and so on?
I can put 6 inch layers on the top time and time again. I have enough
coming for many 6 inch layers, probably as many as 40 or 50 six inch
layers and nowhere near enough of other stuff to mix with it.
--
steve auvache
A Bloo one with built in safety features
| |
| Pam Moore 2007-05-26, 9:25 am |
| On Fri, 25 May 2007 18:04:46 +0100, steve auvache
<dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> wrote:
>I have long since turned the back garden into a veggie plot and am in
>the process of remaking the front into wild flowers so not a grass
>clipping in sight. Tbh I don't get that much waste out of it all these
>days and I view the paper as a real bonus.
Can you scrounge lawn-mowings from non-composting neighbours? The
paper will not rot down easily and quickly unless it has moist
nitrogenous material added. You will find it soon compacts down once
wet, and you can add more shreddings to the heap/bin as it does so.
Pam in Bristol
| |
| Anne Jackson 2007-05-26, 9:25 am |
| The message from steve auvache <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> contains these words:
> In article <JtIIQ2Dwd1VGFw5v@scarboro.demon.co.uk>, K
> <k@scarboro.demon.co.uk> writes
[color=darkred]
> I can put 6 inch layers on the top time and time again. I have enough
> coming for many 6 inch layers, probably as many as 40 or 50 six inch
> layers and nowhere near enough of other stuff to mix with it.
Don't you have any neighbours with kids who keep rabbits or guinea pigs
as pets? I've been known to come home from the supermarket with odds 'n
ends of vegetable 'bits' (especially the outside leaves of caulis) free
with the blessings of the manager... cultivate your local greengrocer,
perhaps? My neighbour gives me her vegetable peelings and grass mowings
for my compost heaps.
Mind you, you're such a crotchetty old bugger, your neighbours probably
don't speak to you... <G>
--
AnneJ
Freedom is always the freedom of dissenters.
~Rosa Luxemburg
| |
| steve auvache 2007-05-26, 9:25 am |
| In article <br2g535cmstevv8gto3ierd5e1j03hdjm3@4ax.com>, Pam Moore
<NOSpam.moore@NOSPAMvirgin.net> writes
>On Fri, 25 May 2007 18:04:46 +0100, steve auvache
><dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> wrote:
>
>
>Can you scrounge lawn-mowings from non-composting neighbours?
Already on the list possible strategies.
--
steve auvache
A Bloo one with built in safety features
| |
| steve auvache 2007-05-26, 9:25 am |
| In article <31303030343236304658214A45@zetnet.co.uk>, Anne Jackson
<amygdala@zetnet.co.uk> writes
>
>Mind you, you're such a crotchetty old bugger, your neighbours probably
>don't speak to you... <G>
>
Oddly enough and here is one for the budding psychologists among you:
since all the fences blew down in that last wind, we have all become
very buddy buddy and friendly whereas before it was a nod and a grunt on
the way to the car in the morning if you were lucky.
I approve of my new fenceless environment, and so do my apples. Enough
in fact that I was talking to him next door (who is SSW by S of me) the
other day and suggested; as/if supplies become available again, if he
replaced his fence with something 4 foot shorter I would train my apples
along the top in such a way as some would hang over his side which he
would be more than welcome to. As proof of concept I showed him the
enormous (exceptional in fact) amount of potential fruit hanging from
them this year. He seemed like he might be compliant.
--
steve auvache
A Bloo one with built in safety features
| |
|
| steve auvache <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> writes
>In article <JtIIQ2Dwd1VGFw5v@scarboro.demon.co.uk>, K
><k@scarboro.demon.co.uk> writes
>
>I can put 6 inch layers on the top time and time again. I have enough
>coming for many 6 inch layers, probably as many as 40 or 50 six inch
>layers and nowhere near enough of other stuff to mix with it.
>
OK - go for 20-25 12 inch layers then ;-)
I see the size of your problem. Scrounging from neighbours sound like a
good idea. Or do you have a community nature area near you? - they might
be very glad for you to relieve them of a few bags of nettles or
whatever that they've strimmed off.
I can see why your want to pre-digest, but id you did this, I think you
migh end up with a squalchy mess that was really horrible to work with.
>
>
--
Kay
| |
| Martin 2007-05-26, 5:25 pm |
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On Sat, 26 May 2007 21:20:11 +0100, K <k@scarboro.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>steve auvache <dont_spam@thecow.me.uk> writes
>OK - go for 20-25 12 inch layers then ;-)
LOL sounds more like a land fill site than a garden.
>I see the size of your problem. Scrounging from neighbours sound like a
>good idea. Or do you have a community nature area near you? - they might
>be very glad for you to relieve them of a few bags of nettles or
>whatever that they've strimmed off.
>
>I can see why your want to pre-digest, but id you did this, I think you
>migh end up with a squalchy mess that was really horrible to work with.
A papier-maché bog garden?
--
Martin
| |
| steve auvache 2007-05-26, 8:25 pm |
| In article <mh5DDaB7ZJWGFwlV@scarboro.demon.co.uk>, K
<k@scarboro.demon.co.uk> writes
>
>I can see why your want to pre-digest, but id you did this, I think you
>migh end up with a squalchy mess that was really horrible to work with.
This is what I am concerned about.
Still, on the bright side, I shall soon have half a dozen sacks full
with shreddings that I can experiment with and while I am waiting for
that to ferment my new buddies up and down the road will be supplying me
with something to mix it with, even if they don't know it yet.
--
steve auvache
A Bloo one with built in safety features
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