Garden waste collection suspended, what to do with it?

[1984isnow]

Last week, I trimmed some tree branches and ivy, and the garden bin is almost full.
I am hoping the cut the grass soon, but the garden is relatively big and I tend to fill the bin each time it's cut, so I am expecting to have a lot of waste by the time collections are reinstated (if they are this year!)

Can I repurpose the waste in any way to reduce the amount? I am no gardener at all so wouldn't know where to start - please use simple terms and instructions

You have a decent-sized garden, so is there somewhere you can start a compost heap? Mix the grass clippings in with other stuff, it decomposes better that way.

If you cut the grass more often, then you won't need to use the grass box, just let it fall and rot down naturally.

Ha, was going to say just the same - compost heap, if not, leave the grass on the lawn.

In last couple of years I never get round to cutting the grass, until it gets longish due to work but I am hoping to keep on top of it this year with new working patterns.

So, the compost heap - do I just pile everything up in a corner somewhere, and it will work itself out? And the branches and ivy can go in as well?

While I'm at it, can I chuck weeds into the pile as well?

So, the compost heap - do I just pile everything up in a corner somewhere, and it will work itself out? It'll work that way. But, ideally, get something to enclose it - traditionally old pallets. Heat is generated according to volume and dissipated according to surface area, so you aim to minimise surface area: volume ratio - aim as near a cube as possible.

And the branches and ivy can go in as well? Shred them if you have a shredder, otherwise chop them into 6inch bits. They'll not rot down completely in a year but the compost will be mulch quality, so you're just aiming that the bits are short enough to be able to dig the compost out with a spade or shovel.

While I'm at it, can I chuck weeds into the pile as well? Non-persistent weeds, yes. Things like bindweed and couch, leave on a path in the sun and wait until they're truly dried and dead.

You can also add vegetable peelings and cardboard boxes and toilet roll centres.

Thank you!

Lots and lots of useful material if you google
"how to make a compost heap"
www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=how+to+make+a+compost+heap&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

It's something people get frighteningly into. But yeah, if you've got a full bin already, you'll have great start – and lots of lovely compost to look forward to next year!

Thanks, I'm not sure why I didnt think of google. I've looked up 'how to garden' in the past and it's like another language for someone who has no experience (minus the butchering of grass of course).

I am going to have a look through the shed to see if ive got anything for a 'container' of sorts

Probably best not to put the ivy in the compost as it will be very slow to break down (if at all). I still have a 'compost heap' full of bits of ivy and hedge clippings from when I moved into my house 6 years ago.