Topic: Idiots guide to composters?

[Si D]

My book suggestes two options: buy a proper one or make a big box from five old pallets.  But does it really need to be in a box or covered?  Can't I just throw all my composting raw material in a heap at the back of the plot in the area that I'm not going to get around to using for some time yet?

[asbean]

The walls around the pile act as insulation and help keep it together and WARM.  The composting process is a hot one.  They also keep it tidy, because birds like to poke around in it (worms) and the scatter the stuff around.

[Garjan]

You can throw all the stuff in a heap and let it compost by itself.
But if you do not wall it in, your heap will be broadening when more stuff is piled on in stead of gaining height.
Also the heap will be less 'hot' and especially weed seeds are keen on grabbing the opportunity to germinate.

Covering prevents the rain from draining all the goodies out of the compost before you use it. It doesn't have to be "tupperwared", but just enough covered to keep most of the nutrients in. Use a piece of carpet or a bin liner. I covered mine with the large leaves of rhubarb.
Hope this helps.

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

Many Councils sell plastic compost bins at subsidised prices. Think ours used to supply them free, but now charge £10 for a 330 litre one which is a bargain

[Garjan]

Just read the advice given tot you in the thread in which you introduce yourself. If you are collecting big cardbord boxes to cover the weeds, you might as well use a big box as a compost bin. That way you don't have to build something and have the advantages of a higher heap.
Mind you, the box will eventually break down as well. But you probably need the compost by then.

[Si D]

thanks for the replies - I'll knock something up out of some spare wood.

[Larkspur]

Hi Si D, if you are going to make up a slatted composter line any gaps in the sides with old plastic compost bags stapled in place. That way the heap will get hotter and compost faster and don't forget to cover the top of the heap with a bit of old carpet or a couple of cardboard fruit boxes from a supermarket.

[silly billy]

You can't beat a dalek. They take an amazing amount of waste and produce excellent compost. Ours is producing loads of the beautiful brown crumbly stuff.

[laurieuk]

I have never used anything other than four good stakes and a bit of wire netting, it seems to produce first rate compost with no problems. I have put an old plastic sack on the ground first to stop and root weed growing up into the compost and this makes it easier when taking the compost out.

[asbean]

We use a combination of two old bedframes, with a wall for the back, and also we have 5 daleks!  You have to remember that on windy days empty daleks could end up anywhere.  All the stuff is in various stages of composting, and also store leaf-mould at the house.  (we have a large enclosure for leafmould on the allotment as we have a lot of trees).

[Larkspur]

We use a combination of two old bedframes, with a wall for the back, and also we have 5 daleks!  You have to remember that on windy days empty daleks could end up anywhere.  All the stuff is in various stages of composting, and also store leaf-mould at the house.  (we have a large enclosure for leafmould on the allotment as we have a lot of trees).

Thats how I got my Dalek, caught it rolling down the road :D ;D

[kt.]

I got mine from my local council for a reduced cost of £8 as opposed to paying £30 from a shop. Try here:



http://www.recyclenow.com/home_composting/in_your_area/in_your_area.html

[cornykev]

I have 5 daleks, 4 cheapys from the council and one got given to me the other day, as I was driving out of the lottie a lady was stood there with this dalek saying her sons getting rid of it and do I want it, bosh straight on the lottie, don't normally talk to strange women but this was a bargain. :P ;D ;D ;D