Dear Allan, Why not just mow the rye over with a mower and spray with Barrel Compost and then turn in by spade as a green manure, roots and all. Saves a lot of effort and still aids the soil. Then make a proper compost heap, with your hay and green matter and manure, for later use, and use your last lot of compost turned in with this lot as well on the raised beds. Cheryl
Cheryl Kemp Education and Workshop Coordinator BDFGAA Phone /Fax : 02 6657 5322 Home: 02 6657 5306 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: www.biodynamics.net.au ----- Original Message ----- From: "D & S Chamberlain" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BDNOW" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2002 10:25 AM Subject: Re: Shredders for composting > I used to compost lawn clippings from a local mowing contractor. The main > problem I struck with the fine clippings was that it tended to pack down and > restrict the air in the pile. This made frequent turning necessary After > listening to E. Ingham and putting my brain into gear, I have come to the > conclusion that heavy coarse particles are necessary in the mix, finely > chopped grass breaks down quicker but has disadvantages. It appears the > larger the range of ingredients and textures the better. > David C > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Allan Balliett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Sunday, 19 May 2002 2:00 AM > Subject: Re: Shredders for composting > > > > What about my situation? > > > > I'm cutting overwintered rye off from raised bed and getting ready to > > compost it with cow manure (to re-apply to the same beds) I'm > > thinking about putting the cut rye into a bin and dropping a rotary > > mower on it, to chop it to a green slurry. (I think Hugh has > > suggested this) > > > > But again, I think, why not just layer the whole green straw with the > manure? > > > > I'd like to hear about other's experiences with the whole and the chopped. > > > > thanks > > > > _Allan > > > > >
