I have mentioned that we are making banana  peel liquid plant feed and am now providing an update. 

Now is the time to start tidying the garden and pruning or cutting back some of the shrubs that have enjoyed a good summer. As a composter I find that cutting back shrubs which are still in leaf and shredding the pruning’s will give me a mixture of shredded leaves with a small amount of wood chip. It means that I can shred leaves such as those shown, from an ornamental elder, that I could not otherwise put through the shredder. It also makes a red layer in the compost bin,  until  I aerate it. 

I have more information on leaves and leaf mould on www.carryoncomposting.com

Banana Liquid Feed

I make Aerated Compost Tea for our “giant veg man” weekly but we have now decided to make some Banana tea as well as it is quite fashionable at the moment, and I know most allotment gardeners are very trendy people. It also makes good use of Banana skins left over from school snacks producing a liquid feed  before the skins are finally composted.

Banana skins are said to have a high potassium content , which helps develop root development although other plants such as beets, and tomatoes.

On the negative side I have seen reports on the net that it may stain plant leaves and make the soil smell of banana for several days which appeared to attract gnats.

So, the idea is to give it a try and see what happens. Initially I will be using my Hozelock Biomix to make 10 litre of feed using approx. 1 Kilogram of banana skins. This should take about 3 weeks with regular mixing of the liquid. 

There is more inforantion on the carryoncomposting.com  main site. Plant Liquid Feeds   and  Plant Feed Makers

i have include this in my sessions provided for local schools 

Compost can be used to top up and refresh the soil in which pot plants are growing both indoors and on the patio.  It is probably best sieved but matured compost  can be applied  direct from  the bin.  It is best to leave a gap round the stem to avoid damaging the plant

The compost can also be used as a lawn dressing, ideally the compost should be sieved if it is going to be left on the lawn but if it is going to be worked into the grass with a brush it can be used as it is providing it does not contain any obvious woody material. The lawn is best treated just before it rains.

This year we had two of the compost bins at our Stokes Wood Allotment Composting Demonstration site infested with ants and decided to let them carry on with their lives as we have plenty of other bins in use. In one of the bins they have now reached the stage where flying ants have appeared on the surface. What is interesting from the composting perspective is how fine they have made the compost in their nest.

If you have taken any interesting photos of composting techniques, equipment or use that you woud like to see published in a new book on composting please contact me at carryoncomposting1@gmail.com