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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2006 16:39:31 GMT
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Post by Plocket on Sept 28, 2006 17:41:56 GMT
Hia Sara! I can't get your link to work so can't see exactly what you've got, but this link should help: www.organicgardening.org.uk/organicgardening/compost_pf.phpBasically you want to try and place your bin on soil, or some soil, and then cover the bottom with dry things like twigs and small branches. When you add stuff you want to try and mix it together fairly regularly and I invested in an "aerator" which I find invaluable. If you search for "compost stirer" on this site you'll find one: www.queenswood.co.uk/index2.shtmlI don't bother with any additives finding that everything breaks down well, but I think the stiring helps. Just add about equal amounts of things like grass cuttings, prunings and household waste and you will be absolutely fine! Good luck, and just you wait until your first batch next year - you'll be thrilled! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2006 17:51:53 GMT
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Post by Plocket on Sept 28, 2006 18:13:58 GMT
Ooooh that's VERY smart! I think I might have to upgrade!!!  |
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Post by sweetleaf on Sept 28, 2006 18:18:33 GMT
Only other thing to remember is not to put cooked food, bread or meat in the compost or you will attract rats!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 6:44:45 GMT
Thanks all, Will get the little one to collect some twigs for the bottom and I have allready been saving some plant matter and spent compost. sara |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 6:56:48 GMT
Don't put spent compost in your bin - because it is already compost  Will you be putting your bin in a shady part of your garden? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 7:06:51 GMT
Hi Rita, What should I do with the spent compost then? I was going to put it in a spot that gets sun till about 3pm from early morning. I will lose this sun soon novemberish till march as sun too low and my garden is a north facing one. sara |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 7:13:10 GMT
I usually scatter spent compost around my borders IMO your bin would be better sited where the sun can't shine on it as I think it will get too hot as it is made of metal.  Metal planters cause plant roots to fry, too. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 7:18:59 GMT
I will do that with the compost then, but nowhere else for the bin to go that does not involve major garden surgery Sara |
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Post by Plocket on Sept 29, 2006 7:29:54 GMT
I do put spent compost into my compost bin but usually as a layer over kitchen peelings to prevent the flies!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 7:30:10 GMT
Maybe there isn't a problem with the sun getting on it, that of course is just my opinion - lets wait and see what the other gardeners here have to say |
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Post by Dr Bill on Sept 29, 2006 8:28:41 GMT
I was always under the impression that compost bins are best sited in sun as the heat accelerates the decompostion
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Post by Plocket on Sept 29, 2006 8:31:04 GMT
My compost bin is in full shade and warms up nicely. I guess being in the sun would be beneficial but at the same time being in the shade won't stop it working.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 8:57:02 GMT
I was always under the impression that compost bins are best sited in sun as the heat accelerates the decompostion But won't a metal one get far too hot and the contents dry out very quickly? |
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Post by Dutchy on Sept 29, 2006 9:01:57 GMT
What a lovely compost bin. Is it metal? I would not put it in the sun. Things will cook in there. My bins are in the shade. I start bin 1 up in spring by putting some of the old compost and a little bit of my garden soil in there. They stand on a concrete base and need some soil in the bottom to get started. Halfway the year I put everything from bin 1 in bin 2 and continue with the new stuff in bin 1. In the spring I empty the good stuff out into the garden and dump the not completely composted winter stuff in bin 2.
That is the luxury of having two bins.
When I only had one I had a hard time turning things halfway the year and threw away the not composted winter stuff It worked just as well. I simply wanted more compost so an extra bin was made. ( Mine are those Geoff Hamilton wooden ones)
Dutchy
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Post by sweetleaf on Sept 29, 2006 11:17:29 GMT
My bins at home (3) are the dalek type, I dont think they are as good as the ones I consructed at the lottie out of whole pallets, (also 3 of them with carpet lids) with three theres always one to turn the stuff out/mix into so the compost cooks quickly, but the dalek ones are a little more awkward.
The metal one looks attractive though, let us know how well it works!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 16:16:51 GMT
Hi Dutchy, Yes it is metal. I have been told I will have to keep it damp as will dry quicker than other heaps. If it is near the house will it smell, the only other place it can go will be at the end of the patio on a little border. Sara |
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Post by Plocket on Sept 29, 2006 16:27:14 GMT
If you put the right stuff in them they don't smell, but you will find that you get loads of those little fly thingies in your bin when there's fresh peelings on top. You can help prevent this by putting shredded paper, grass cuttings or spent compost on top, but the wee beasties do get into the house easily! Our compost bin is right by the patio doors and I've got a system now where I keep shredded paper for when I empty the kitchen peelings pot - and it really helps!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 16:37:57 GMT
Thanks Plocket, I get them in the wormery, bag of shreded paper required I think. Sara |
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Post by Plocket on Sept 29, 2006 16:59:14 GMT
Get yourself a shredder!!! We shred anything with our address on it, for security, and nature does the rest. Anything without our address just gets recycled normally. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 17:07:44 GMT
I have a bin bag full of junk mail and confidential waste, I also have a shredder there is a job for a rainy day. Sara |
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Post by Plocket on Sept 29, 2006 17:56:48 GMT
That sounds like a lot of stuff to shred Sara! I tend to do ours a bit at a time, maybe once a month, or when I need it. Hey it's raining......... ! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2006 19:21:54 GMT
Ive got 2 compost bins, i mix in the straw and wood shavings from my guinea pigs bedding with my grass clippings hedge cuttings, veg peelings teabags egg shells and shredded paper.
I have good compost after about six months.
The first time i tried making compost i only used grass clippings,what a disaster, it was a big mush.
My bins are plastic in a partly shaded spot if it starts to dry out i put in a bit of water to keep it moist.
Good luck with your new bin
karenwl
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Post by grannyjanny on Sept 29, 2006 20:02:26 GMT
Have you got a OH who can do his bit in the composter, the Bob Flowerdew way. Urine is one of the best activators for compost bins, but not to much. I have a lovely friend who drops her peelings & shreddings off for me & anything else that can go in it. Every bit helps.
Janet.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2006 8:14:00 GMT
i like your bin very much sara. mine are just common old black plassie ones hidden behind the shed. they do get some sun but not really enough but i've just got nowhere else to put them. occasionally i too use natural human waste as an accellerator, the liquid form only. i leave a watering can in the bathroom for the purpose.  |
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Post by Plocket on Sept 30, 2006 13:37:08 GMT
i leave a watering can in the bathroom for the purpose. Your OH is spoiled: I get my OH to go out and do it directly into the compost bin!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2006 18:14:22 GMT
we had a bbq for the first day of the world cup and one of the guests rather enjoyed the direct experience. put his bluddy great size 9 right on a comfrey plant though.  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2006 12:54:33 GMT
Get yourself a shredder!!! We shred anything with our address on it, for security, and nature does the rest. Anything without our address just gets recycled normally. You're doing right, Plocket, for the personal stuff. But for all those things delivered by the Post Office addressed "the occupier" or "the Householder" put them in a box, then when you have enough, take them to the postbox and return them to the Post Office. Let them dispose of them. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2006 13:18:05 GMT
Get yourself a shredder!!! We shred anything with our address on it, for security, and nature does the rest. Anything without our address just gets recycled normally. You're doing right, Plocket, for the personal stuff. But for all those things delivered by the Post Office addressed "the occupier" or "the Householder" put them in a box, then when you have enough, take them to the postbox and return them to the Post Office. Let them dispose of them. I would suggest that you open mail addressed to "the householder" as neighbour notifications from your local council planning department won't be addressed to you by name |
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