Topic: cold compost

[tim]

Not the subject for a Sunday, perhaps, but you can pretend you didn't see the photos?

I know that we should intersperse materials - I know that we should turn it frequently (at my age? - we have 5 bins) - and I know that we should get it all heated up in the middle.

But life's just not like that. It's like what's below!

That's a metre cubed bin, being filled, almost all kitchen waste, and that's the result when full. So? So, don't panic? - Tim

[Hugh_Jones]

So where have you put the tea leaves?

[tim]

- they're in the little bags you can see?? - Tim

[Hugh_Jones]

Tea Bags? Shame on you Tim. Is nothing sacred?

Joking aside, when there`s little else but kitchen waste for the bin during the winter I always wrap the day`s produce in a sheet or two of newspaper before depositing it - keeps the bin a bit drier (or less wet) and adds a bit of bulk and variety to the contents.

[tim]

- good thinking lad! - we've just got a new kitchen bin, and there will be more paper in it. Tim

PS - Fair Trade bags!

[Hugh_Jones]

Sorry Tim, but now you have lost me. Fair Trade Bags?

[tim]

Recent Fair Trade convention in London?
You know - tea, coffee, juice, banana etc producers  where the worker gets a fair whack? Green & Black have just won 1/4m from the govt to initiate fair trade cocoa growing in Belize.

And it's good stuff these days. And I enjoy it more thinking of the happier faces out there. Despite all their shortcomings, the CO-OP are supportive. Tim

[ciderself]

Miles - better

[Hugh_Jones]

Think I`ll stick to the old Assam leaf tea- you never kinow what they put in those bags.

[merv]

Assam! Every morning!

I think most peeps I know are going the Fair Trade way.  I also like to think it hasn't been mucked about with so much.

Refreshing mid-morning/afternoon, a pot with one spoon of Jasmine in.  Friends come in...pour on the water.

In summer, when the mint is going crazy; spoon of gunpowder (green tea), stuff in mint leaves like there is no tomorrow, pour loads of sugar in, pour over the boiling water and presto.....Arab Mint Tea at the lottie. (you don't really notice the sugar)

Hint...must be poured from a height.

[tim]

- love it, Hugh - but our routine (hollow laugh) doesn't suit a pot.  When it does, I even stoop to a filter pot so that it doesn't brew itself out of use.

Better be quick - you see that Darjeeling plantations are being forced out by high wages? - Tim

[ina]

Thanks Tim, great pictures once again. I wish I had read your posting when I first started the allotment. The first year of composting I dispaired  because it just wouldn't get warm. Tried it the way books told me, spent a lot of time and work turning it, layering it with soil and lime etc. etc. Tried all summer long that first summer and just gave up in the fall. Didn't go to the lottie often in winter and just forgot about the compost. Early spring I decided to empty out the compost completely and start over. Lo and behold, under the top layer was perfect compost! The top layer I used again, mixed in with other stuff to start over again. So, my compost never gets warm and it takes about a year to make good compost but who cares? I heard grass clippings will do the trick but I have no access to grass. I feel now that anything will work as long as it doesn't dry out and you are not in a hurry. I have mine on a pallet and put branches in the bottom for air.

[Hugh_Jones]

Merv`s reference to a spoonful of gunpowder tea every morning reminds me of the story I saw on the Beeb Boards (might even have been Ina`s) about the young man who was advised by his grandfather that, in the interests of longevity, he should take a spoonful of gunpowder every morning.  When he died, aged 101, he left 6 children, 36 grandchildren, 108 great grandchildren, and a large hole in the Crematorium wall.

If Assam tea ever runs out I shall change to Earl Grey well laced with single malt whisky.

[Mrs Ava]

;D

[tim]

- oh, YES - I like that!!

And Ina - grass tends to come all at once and can clog up the works. - Tim