making compost question texture

[johnwilliams]

what should compost look like when it comes out of garden composter.
composter has been sitting in the back garden for the 1 1/2 years full of garden material grass, plants etc . when it comes out should it be (1) dry powder or (2) wet putty type texture. i have no2 .thought it should be dry and powdery

 

[Ravima]

depends on the mix you put in.

if mainly grass cuttings, then you will have gunge. You need a balanced mix stuff. If putting in grass cuttings, put in some dry stuff as well, such as newspapers.

 

[ClubMan]

Just to clarify - cut the newspaper and other material up as small as possible to accelerate the composting. And as Ravima says try to balance the mix of ingredients that you put in.

 

[Marie]

You don't cut the paper - you tear it (gives more absorbent edges to the strips).

 

[ClubMan]

Cutting it small also works.

 

[pernickety]

Depends on what you put in, yes, and mine can be different depending on the time of year - summer gets a better mix, winter gets mostly veg peelings - but don't let the soggy stuff put you off. Mix it with ordinary soil or shop compost and your plants will enjoy it anyway!

 

[ClubMan]

Good point. Ours is sometimes a bit moist too and mixing it with seed/potting compost for boxes/baskets works fine. Or just digging it into the garden soil.

 

[johnwilliams]

thanks all

 

[Seagull]

When you're filling your compost bin, you should throw in a thin layer of soil every so often.