First Compost Bin

owtfornowt_2

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

Thanks all for your tips.

One question, I have heard you can buy compostable bags. does that mean you just take the bag liner out of your little kitchen scraps bin and put it straight into the compost bin? Does it compost down quickly enough?

Thanks

I've been using Tesco's 'naturally' 100% compostable bags - pricier than others although they have broken down completely in my compost bin. Have had a few probs with mice so I would suggest a ventilated base to try & stop them. Hoping to get one for mine so any recommendations would be great.

webwalker

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

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

There are literally hundreds of different ideas on how to make compost but the same basic rules apply to all.

Basic compost heap/bin

Cheapest and original

If it costs you money to make you're not doing it right.

Mix the different types of composting material, ie layer of woody then layer of soft.

Keep it moist, not dry or wet.

Avoid too much grass.

Tumbler compost bins.

Bigger Initial outlay but more compost per year

As above but it will handle large quantities of grass once it gets going and takes a lot less time.


Wormories.

Expensive initial set up but very cost effective feeds and compost.

Anything that has lived and died except acidic material.
Cooked foods, except meat.
paper, card, hair, wool, groundup eggshells etc.

Quite a slow process but the compost is so rich you can mix it with garden soil at a ratio of 1 part compost 10 parts soil.

ikhnos0512

Whoa!

Can we go back one stage, please. I have questions:

1) What's the difference between 'a pile of rotting rubbish' and 'compost'? I.e. when does the one become the other?

2) What do I *do* with my compost after I've established that it is really compost and not still just a pile of rotting rubbish?

Farway

The differance between rotting rubbish & compost is time and temperature. When it becomes compost it looks like soil or peat

Both will turn RR into compost, no doubt there is formula, but higher temp means less time, lower temp will be ok but needs more time, maybe a couple of years

Compost, the easy & possibly best use of it is as a mulch or dug in, you could use it for sowing seeds or potting, but for the amateur bought compost is best for this as additional nutrients / drainage material will have been added