First Compost Bin

Benjo_2

Hi All

I have today got my first compost bin and wondered what the first thing I put in it should be. I know that sounds a bit odd but I am worried about putting kitchen waste in it first as I don’t want to attract rats.

Is there a 'preferred' item to put in the bin first?

Cheers

Ben

KAAT_LADY

Hi there Ben

We put in shredded paper first, but if you put uncooked vegetable kitchen waste in your compost bin you will not get rats,, and you are never more than ten foot away from a rat anyway so they say.

just keep rotating it and keep it hot and nothing will go in it anyway,, dont keep it too dry,, put some male urine in to keep it working,, I have to ask DH

Benjo_2

Thanks KAAT_LADY.

The one thing that I will not be doing is peeing in my compost bin but I have heard it is good for it. I may well try other things to keep it going well. lol

I have plenty of shreading to do so I may well follow your advice on that.

Cheers

Ben

Benjo_2

Is any shreaded paper ok? we have some old bills etc that have been shreaded but some are on blue paper (BT) etc. Would that make much difference?

KAAT_LADY

Hi there Ben

I just shred everything ,,,,,,,You are not supposed to put in shiny paper,,,,,,, but I just add everything,,, especially bills,,,,,
we usually put a layer of paper a layer of wet stuff eg. kitchen waste, grass clippings ,,, then a layer of dry and wet and so on

Benjo_2

Cheers for your halp KAAT_LADY, you are a star. I'll be back if I have any more questions.

Ben

KAAT_LADY

glad to help
Ben

sreppaw

Just like us, a compost bin likes a varied diet... a bit of everything, not too much of anything.

Benjo_2

Thanks, I'll see what i can do

mark13

we put everything in our composter except cooked meat, which is usually chopped up finely and scattered for the birds.

Counting_Pennies_2

I am about to start composting. I have my discounted compost bin from the Council and I am wondering if there are any specific rules/guidelines on how to compost.

Is constant kitchen waste (tea bags, egg shells and peelings) ok or should I layer it with something else. Can you over dose on too much of something.

What do I do when it is in there, do the worms do it all, or do I have to turn it.

How do I know it is ready?

Thanks