| The opinions shared here are based upon my own experiences working with compost and may not be shared by all. Can you grow vegetables in your compost pile? |
| Last year, whilst down on the allotment, l spoke to one of the other allotmenteers and explained how fascinated l was with one of the growing methods for his butternut squash he was utilising. He had adopted a method to grow them on top of one of his compost heaps with deliberation instead of accidentally. I refer to accidental growing as it is not uncommon for plants to grow within the environment of a compost heap. This can happen because compost heaps are so very fertile, providing an ideal environment for seeds to germinate and plants to grow. This can lead to unexpected and sometimes unwanted plants sprouting up in the compost heap. However, there’s another fascinating method of composting and growing that’s relatively unknown-the Deep Grower Compact Composter. This is a system I’ve been experimenting with for the last eight months, and it’s been a game-changer. It’s not just about planting plugs during the spring of 2025, it’s about a whole new level of gardening. Let me share my journey with you. In Plot 17, I now only have compact composting facilities instead of my traditional hot composting system. In a year of good weather and adequate free personal time, the latter can produce up to 23,000 litres of brown gold [sieved compost]. This term refers to the high-quality, nutrient-rich compost that results from the hot composting process, often used as a valuable soil amendment in gardening. However, with the gardening business getting busier and taking up much of my working week as well as, at times, the — unpredictable wetter weather restricting work — combined with being physically more tired now makes getting to the allotment at silly early o’clock harder to achieve which affects regular composting strategies meaning that my free time is now less. I’ve installed eighteen closed compact composting units, allowing me to generate thousands of litres of compostable material. This material can be sifted after two years, replacing what I have lost through my preferred method. Although the end results will take longer, I am happy to manage it. It’s a manageable process that’s worth the effort. For a precise definition – deep compact growers are deep-sided containments that hold green waste for a composting period of roughly eighteen months. However, whilst green waste materials can be added continually if they are to be utilised for the growing of vegetables, then the green waste additions need to be ceased for three months before the selected growing season to allow adequate time for the growing area to settle and to start to firm up ready for planting. Deep compact growers use the anaerobic [without oxygen] composting method, which is much slower than the aerobic [with oxygen] strategy. While the anaerobic method is slower, it can produce a more concentrated and nutrient-rich compost. However, it also requires more careful management to prevent foul odors and ensure proper decomposition. Deep compact growers use green waste materials—bark chips, horse manure, and garden wastes. These materials are ideal for composting as they are rich in organic matter and break down easily. However, food waste, while it can be composted, is not recommended for these systems due to the potential for foul odors and pest attraction. If you’re considering planting into the compost heap, I have a few practical hints that will ensure your success. Remember, you can grow in compost because it’s a treasure trove of nutrients and organic matter, creating excellent growing environments. Let’s make the most of it together. 1] Stop adding green waste materials to the grower three months before planting, as the very nature of compost heaps is to decompose and shrink. 2] Before planting, ensure the top surface area of the heap has some potting compost spread out to a depth of three to five inches to keep your plants in place. 3] Only use plugs or plants, not seeds, because the compost environment is too rich to support seed germination and growth. 4] Vegetables that will do well in sunny positions are squash [patty pan or butternut], pumpkin, cucumber, courgettes, melons, cabbages, tomatoes and bell peppers. Leafy greens like kale, spinach, dwarf beans, and sweet potatoes would do well in shadier positions. Specific flowers and herbs could also be planted into the growers, like nasturtium [be mindful as they can also be invasive and progressive], hollyhocks, dahlias, borage, comfrey, dandelions, nettles, fennel and sage. If you maintained small knee-height compost growers, you could also grow vertical peas and beans from them. Once the growing season ends, dig out the plants and place them into a separate compost bin. Then, proceed to dig out the lower layers of the grower and use the compost as needed—be this sieved for finer material or left raw and either dug into the soil or tipped into raised beds. Once empty, you can restart the green waste procedure for the new deep grower by adding fresh green waste to the top layer of the grower and allowing it to decompose over time. |
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