My compost never really heats up but despite the 'cold heart' I still get beautiful stuff.
I emptied it out today and this gave me a chance to show you how I built the compost heap. Fence posts with big-holed wire screen, surrounded by pond liner.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/fergina/volkstuin/compostspill9_resize.jpg)
The compost heap is opened and the stuff can be shoveled out. The white stringy stuff you see on top is not completely decomposted materials and I skim that off to start the new heap with.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/fergina/volkstuin/compostpile19_resize.jpg)
Took half to the veggie plot and bagged the other half of the compost.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/fergina/volkstuin/emptycompost30_resize.jpg)
The compost heap is closed and ready to be filled again.
Ours never heat up. The 5, metre square, are old sleepers, with a gap between timbers.
I know you've seen it before, but that's one bin's worth.
How long does it take yoos guys to turn out luvly compost in bins like that please ??? ;D
can you put eggshells in compost or do they atttract vermin?
i put in lots of citrus which people advise against
I put eggshells in. They never decompose, but do add to the general openess of the compost. Never had any probs with vermin.. thankfully. :D
Quote from: Roy Bham UK on April 03, 2005, 21:17:33
How long does it take yoos guys to turn out luvly compost in bins like that please ??? ;D
That's hard to answer Roy, I just keep adding and mixing throughout the year. Many times the heap is full, only to sink down again and I can add more. I just empty it every spring and start over with the top layer of the old stuff that wasn't composted all the way yet.
Every year I'm amazed again at the perfect consistency, not too dry, not too wet and all I do is throw a couple of buckets of canal water in it every now and then in summer. I know I can't be doing it the same thing every year but still, it turns out the same every time. Is it luck or is composting really not difficult at all?
Ditto!
Hence the 5 bins. There's alway one ready. I like to cover them, but keep them moist as Ina does.
6 months? Depending on the temp & what goes in - like grass cuttings in the summer speed things. I've tried quick stuff in Council bins & just got a nasty mush.
We find that eggshells disappear OK. But not mussels. Or avocado stones.
Yes all i've got is nasty mush. Got black council type in the back garden [before i got plot] mainly grass and day old veg from supermarkets general kitchen waste. at a loss what to do with it i've just added 2 buckets of chicken poo and stirred it. You two's looks cracking stuff.
Oh Tim, I just can't imagine having 5 bins, just to empty our one bin is a major undertaking hahaha but I would like to have the amount.
Ours is also 1 meter square and tall, I forgot to mention that I cover it too, with a piece of undercarpet.
So, may we conclude then that making compost is no science.
If you want to turn it around in 3 months - it's a science!!
I have 2 bins, one council black bin (first year with that) and the other is a round plastic bin made up of individual slats that can be taken out. It has a tarpaulin type lid that is pegged in place. Both bins have lovely compost at the bottom which has been going since October. I literally just throw everything in in any old way. It always seems to be mainly kitchen scraps and stuff cut down in the garden. Every so often I put some grass cuttings in and I also leave some grass to dry out which I then put in if it seems a bit soggy. Don't know if this is the right way to do it but it seems to work and the fairly small amount I made last year has done wonders for my clay soil. Just checked on the leaf mold in black bags and that is about ready to use too (18 months though!)
I like the little dalek type council bins and have had lots of success with them. they heat up very quickly and don't get too wet and horrid if you keep a balance of stuff in them. I like the fact they're small cos they're easier to empty when the stuff is cooked and easier to take stuff out to stir it about.
Quote from: tim on April 04, 2005, 19:43:50
If you want to turn it around in 3 months - it's a science!!
That's true.