Is it possible to compost small cotton offcuts? I sew a lot and would like to add these waste to the compost bins? I have used wool and feathers in the past but seem to remember reading
somewhere that cotton leaches the soil rather than improving it in
anyway.
I use static and a revolving compost bin and wormeries to work with.
If I'm not making rags out of old cotton clothing items I tend
to put them on the compost heap and they break down well, though not
necessarily very quickly. Not really doing it in such large quantites
that the dye might affect the compost, though perhaps that explains my
blue lettuces last year! only joking.
I don't see composting cotton as an issue.
Rachel
I
think there is a misconception here about what "leaching" is. Normal
rainfall causes leaching of the soil nutrients just by filtering down
through the soil particles and picking up organic chemicals on the
way. There is no way to avoid this happening other than having a
healthy soil with sufficient humus in it to slow the process down.
I
have never heard of cotton having any adverse effect on soil or
compost, nor indeed the dyes in it, which are in any case considerably
less toxic than they used to be due to the need to be safe against
skin. However, it will not be as quick to break up as wool (or
feathers!) by its very nature. The only thing I can think of that
would slow its disintegration down is a glaze (such as in chintzes).
In other words - don't panic!!
Jane
I compost at home, and
I've been told I need tiger worms. Is there a local supplier in Shropshire?
If you're just using a normal 'dalek' type bin, as opposed to a
wormery, you don't need to add worms. They'll find their own way in from the
soil at an appropriate time - i.e when the heap is cool enough. In fact, when
the compost is half finished, you'll find the bin is full of them!
However, if you feel you might be missing out on them, or
you have a wormery and want to add more worms, you can buy them at any fishing
shop that sells live bait. Ask for 'reds'. Be warned - some shops now sell
freeze dried worms, and you don't want these!
I'm afraid I'll get rats
living in my compost bin:
Believe it or not, rats are basically shy creatures! They don't
like being disturbed, so the best way to avoid them taking up residence is to
disturb them - often. Put the bin where you pass it frequently - and give it a
little kick every time. As well as this, keep changing the feel of the area -
put a bucket next to the bin, then move it the next day. Then lean a spade
against it....
And, of course, don't add any food that is attractive to
rats - so no meat, fish, dairy products or cooked food.
Can I compost old clothes?
You can if they are made of natural fibres - cotton, hemp,
linen or wool. Take the buttons and zips off first! Best to cut them up a bit
as well. I once tried the trick of filling a sack with manure and suspending it
in a barrel of water, hoping to make a liquid manure - the sack disintegrated
in 3 weeks!
I've got a worm bin, and it's
got millions of little white worms in - are these babies, and if not,are they
harmful?
They're not babies, and they're not harmful. They are an
indication that conditions are not quite right - too wet or too acid. try
adding some paper or cardboard to dry it out, or a sprinkle of calcified
seaweed to make it less acid.
My compost bin is one big ant
hill! Help!
Ants (and spiders) are a sign that your compost is too dry. It
seems odd to water a compost bin, but go ahead! The problem is especially bad
in hot weather,and with bins made from pallets. Stir it about a bit, as well.
They actually help break down vegetation really well.
