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Composting small branches

  • 05-02-2021 1:43pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 140 ✭✭


    Hi,

    I cut the rose bushes last year but they've not really composted much bar the ones I buried under the soil.

    I was thinking about cutting them up with a lawm mower but don't want to wreck the mower.

    Anyone have tips on other methods?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,536 ✭✭✭Reckless Abandonment


    Small thin branches i run over with the lawnmower (not saying this is 100% safe or good for the mower) and conpost them. Anything more than 1 cm i put in the brown bin.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Yes, I don't have the mass of compost to break down anything like this either. I have a twig pile in an out of the way corner. It's superb for all sorts of insects. But brown bin if you don't fancy this; it would not be recommended for a lawnmower.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 51,665 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    woody stuff can take a couple of years to decompose. we just throw that sort of stuff in a pile down the end of the garden and leave it be. it's usually chock full of small frogs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,205 ✭✭✭cruizer101


    Garden Shredder is the ideal tool for it but is kind of overkill to get one if you are not going to have too much.
    You could cut them up with a secateurs but is lot of work, more kind of a job for sitting out on a sunny day and just tipping away at.
    Depending on size lawnmower can work, but think twigs size, less than half centi-metre size ish.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,982 ✭✭✭The Continental Op


    The old trick was to save up all the woody stuff and then use it when you make up a new compost bin. Put all the woody stuff at the bottom and it allows a bit more air to circulate.

    Wake me up when it's all over.



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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 51,665 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    If you're on Facebook and are in any local groups, it's might be worth asking if anyone has the loan of a shredder.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,668 ✭✭✭✭ednwireland


    big stihl electric chipper. been getting through mountains of branches lying around my fields

    if you were in Donegal (within 5km of me) you could have my old one! which is fine for small stuff

    My weather

    https://www.ecowitt.net/home/share?authorize=96CT1F



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 140 ✭✭I regurgitate the news


    big stihl electric chipper. been getting through mountains of branches lying around my fields

    if you were in Donegal (within 5km of me) you could have my old one! which is fine for small stuff

    A bit too far for me but thanks.


    Think I will just break them up slowly and then mow over them


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,668 ✭✭✭✭ednwireland


    A bit too far for me but thanks.


    Think I will just break them up slowly and then mow over them

    if your gardens big enough you could construct a "dead hedge"

    http://www.askorganic.co.uk/composting/Make%20a%20Dead%20Hedge.htm#:~:text=Originally%20used%20as%20a%20stock,can%20be%20hard%20to%20compost.&text=Shredding%20smaller%20woody%20stems%20lets,same%20rate%20as%20softer%20material.

    My weather

    https://www.ecowitt.net/home/share?authorize=96CT1F



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