I found a compost bin - needs revitalizing

Started by OliveOil, May 10, 2006, 09:28:36

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OliveOil

May 10, 2006, 09:28:36
The water butt at the bottom of my yard is actually a compost bin -  its only taken me 6 months to lift the lid LOL

Anyway it appears the previous owners have put gravel in there and there was loads of wood lice when i lifted the lid.

Should i tip it and start again?

Is the gravel ok to be in there?

How do i get it going again?  There alot of stems in there not rotted down.

I've put shavings, newspaper, chicken manure, veg scraps and tea bags in.

OliveOil

May 10, 2006, 09:28:36

katynewbie

#1
May 10, 2006, 09:35:53
???

Why would anyone put gravel in a compost bin? If you want it spread about your plot along with all your lovely compost, then keep it!

Personally, I would start again! It's a good time of year to be starting a bin with the warm weather coming, just move it and start loading!!

;)

OliveOil

#2
May 10, 2006, 09:40:07
Hmmm i thought it might be best to start again grrr... No idea where i'm gonig to put it though. 

I have no garden at home - hence why we are getting an allotment - we just have a concrete yard grrrr

I might just tip it upside down and see whats in there and put as much as i can in bags as OH is going to the tip at the weekend I hope!

Truffle

#3
May 10, 2006, 09:56:56
Wait!- Gravel at the bottom of the bin could be a good thing as it will help with aeration and drainage. If its only a small layer of gravel you may as well fill-er-up...

Good luck,

Truff
www.PlantationSystems.com
Want to know about truffles? then visit our website, you can even buy truffle-trees ;-)

OliveOil

#4
May 10, 2006, 11:13:25
Yes i did think that BUT the bin is 1/2 full and i can see gravel just 3 inches down so thats that theory out!

I'll let you know what happens when i empty the bin LOL

Svea

#5
May 10, 2006, 13:55:41
i would take the bin off  the heap (if it's moveable), assess the contents and then load it up. even if you have gravel - assuming it's not rubbish and contains bits of glass - it may well be useful for something - making paths? etc
Gardening in SE17 since 2005 ;)

OliveOil

#6
May 11, 2006, 08:49:12
Well i tipped the bin upsidedown yesterday and then back up again, there is only a little bit of gravel and underneath is some lovely well rotted compost so I'm keeping it going!

I've given it as good a stir with a big stick as i can - so good news! ;D
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