Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

lizzie12_2

Hello all you composting (?) people.

Have been looking at the council list for bin collection over the christmas period..

Our compost bin is not being emptied from middle of DEc to early march!!!! any ideas what to do with the waste? The bin will pong!! so this is a prime time to do my own compost bin-or is is the wrong time?

Any tips on what to get/do before hand.

Thanks

ailuro2

When our brown (compostable waste) bin is full I put the overflow composting stuff in an old dustbin. It has a few holes in it to let air in.It doesn't compost very well, but I only keep it to fill up the brown bin next time it gets emptied anyway, so I'm not bothered with the compost quality.

Yes, I know it seems a waste to throw away good compost, but we're not very keen gardeners.:o

Raffles_3

Oh, don't worry, you've convinced me about composting. Indeed I have had a compost heap myself. We did have a rat or two round our way a few years back, but I don't think it was the compost heap that attracted them. It is just that I have had a few conversations with diverse people about gardening. I mention the compost heap. They say they don't have one. I say, "Really? Why not?" and they say that it attracts rats.

Linda32

troo wrote:

I put the fluff onto the bird table so birds can use it for their nests.

Yes we do that as well, mind you I came here from the OS board and as a result have only used the dryer twice since xmas.

caroline1973lefty

yes, raffles is right about what i meant. sorry, didn't explain that very well! anyway am glad i started a nice composting thread...!

Penelope_Penguin

lizzie12 wrote:

Hello all you composting (?) people.

Have been looking at the council list for bin collection over the christmas period..

Our compost bin is not being emptied from middle of DEc to early march!!!! any ideas what to do with the waste? The bin will pong!! so this is a prime time to do my own compost bin-or is is the wrong time?

Any tips on what to get/do before hand.

Thanks

Hi, Lizzie! There's no time like the present to start composting. Have you tried your council to purchase a composting bin? Ours are selling a big green plastic one for about £6, compared to reatil of around £35. We don't have doorstep compost collection, though, so your council might not do this offer. These bins are easily available from DIY and garden centre. Alternatively, a New Zeland box, made from treated wood, is much better. They're more expensive, but last ages, and are more efficient.

Post back if you have any queries. Also, there are loads of threads on all aspects of composting.

Penny. x

omnyomi

I've got cats, so no rats in my garden

I've never been able to make really good compost, i think you have to get the right mix??

boysmum3

Just sent off for a composter from leaflet that came in local paper £4.00 inc delivery!
Our council has green bin for compost waste however can't put veg peelings in!!!!????
As majority of my waste is veg peelings i thought my own composter would be better option for us. We don't have huge lawn.
Any tips on what i can and can't put on would be gratefully received....

aussielle

boysmum3 wrote:

Just sent off for a composter from leaflet that came in local paper £4.00 inc delivery!
Any tips on what i can and can't put on would be gratefully received....

This is what goes in ours..
fruit and veg peelings (but not potatoes, as they tended to spout)
egg shells
used tea bags/used filter coffee
grass cuttings/weeds/non woody trimmings/spent bedding plants
shredded brown cardboard/toilet & kitchen roll tubes
shredded paper
straw/sawdust and rabbit poo
oh and get someone to wee in it now and then

conradmum

aussielle wrote:

This is what goes in ours..
fruit and veg peelings (but not potatoes, as they tended to spout)
egg shells
used tea bags/used filter coffee
grass cuttings/weeds/non woody trimmings/spent bedding plants
shredded brown cardboard/toilet & kitchen roll tubes
shredded paper
straw/sawdust and rabbit poo
oh and get someone to wee in it now and then

The above minus the eggshells (I found they didn't break down at all) but plus most other cardboard packaging. I was worried initially about the printing inks but I heard the CAT did some experiments on composting printed cardboard and found that the level of problem chemicals was lower than that in ordinary garden soil.