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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: gary on March 18, 2007, 14:52:42

Title: Soil Sieves
Post by: gary on March 18, 2007, 14:52:42
I am looking at buying a sieve so that I can sieve my compost heap to seperate it so that I can start using the it and put the larger, pieces into my next heap to continue to break down.

The questions I have are "Do they come with difeerent size holes or are they a standard size". "Metal or Plastic" . "Rough price"

I have seen a metal one in B&Q and it was £7ish or plastic one online £4 but £7 postage (I could buy some other stuff I needed to justify the postage)

Anyone any thoughts?


Gary


Title: Re: Soil Sieves
Post by: legendaryone on March 18, 2007, 15:23:22
Wilko's have a plastic riddler for a pound, it does the job for me.
Title: Re: Soil Sieves
Post by: gary on March 18, 2007, 19:54:56
Thanks for the reply

Looks like a trip to wilko's then what else do they have not been in one for years?

Gary
Title: Re: Soil Sieves
Post by: Gillysdad on March 18, 2007, 20:01:07
Gary, that sounds like a lot of hard work for very little gain. Riddles clog up very easily, especially if the soil is moist. Can I suggest turning the compost heap more often to speed up the process, or leave it a bit longer till you're happy with it. Mind you other lottie folks might think differently. ;)
Title: Re: Soil Sieves
Post by: legendaryone on March 18, 2007, 20:07:30
Quote from: gary on March 18, 2007, 19:54:56
Thanks for the reply

Looks like a trip to wilko's then what else do they have not been in one for years?

Gary

They sell lots of gardening equipment and lots of plants, seeds, fruit bushes etc.

Riddles and sieves do clog up, i thought that was the point ? If nothing got stuck it's not doing it's job  ;)
Title: Re: Soil Sieves
Post by: Gillysdad on March 18, 2007, 20:14:10
I give up. ;D
Title: Re: Soil Sieves
Post by: gary on March 18, 2007, 21:07:26
Hi Gillysdad,

Yes I know where you are coming from but when I started my plot and compost heap I lifted the top couple of inches of "grass?/weeds" form my beds and put it into the compost heap. This has now broken down to soil and root ect. I do turn it quite often and it has got to the stage where the soil lifted from the "grass?" sods can be seperated and put back oto the beds.
Title: Re: Soil Sieves
Post by: mellor on March 18, 2007, 21:34:28
i'm sure you could make something a lot larger than the riddles from wilko's. all you need is timber, chicken wire/mesh to whatever grade you wanted. All stuff thats free if you look hard enough!

i've even seen them on swings or with wheels to speed up the process.

See what you can make before you buy is the reponse i get if i ask my old man?!
Title: Re: Soil Sieves
Post by: Georgie on March 18, 2007, 21:57:15
Hi Gary.  I think it rather depends on how much compost you have to sieve and what you want to use it for.  Riddles certainly come with different sized holes and with different capacities.  I use sieved compost as a potting medium (mixed with other stuff) so I need it to be fine.  I found using a traditional sieve/riddle back breaking so I asked for a rotasieve for a present a couple of Christmases ago.  Very pleased with it.  Here's a link.

http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/HarrodSite/search/product/Best+Sellers/GCO-050.htm

G x
Title: Re: Soil Sieves
Post by: dtw on March 18, 2007, 22:52:33
I wonder if there's an electric one available.  ::)
Title: Re: Soil Sieves
Post by: Blue Bird on March 19, 2007, 20:40:36
Check out the Top Tips and there is a great one there that is made to fit a wheel barrow

worth a look  ;)