Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

Coveredinbees!!!!

I saw on a program once where they put their wee in the compost as it made it break down and old clothes as well. I really need to get my garden sorted as all my kitchen stuff goes down the waste disposal which is such a waste. Not sure about weeing in it thou seems a bit drastic.

At are old house we used to put in the rabbits straw but you had to soak it well first or it wouldn't compost, unfortunately the bunnies are no long here. I made my own compost bins there out of old pallets they worked really well.

Kay_Peel

On the question or ..er..... human water. It's got to come from a male. Female's water is no use at all, I believe. Don't know why - something to do with oestrogen.

Which is just as well. Have you tried sitting on a dalek? Especially one that tries to blow away.

Not recommended.


Kay
:whistle:

kate2510

You can put all the fluff from your tumble dryer into your compost bin too and ash from the wood burner.:D

bees_2

I read somewher eyou can't put used tissues in the compost as they may have germs on which don't do the compost any good.
I've found a link
http://www.compostthis.co.uk/item/tissues

rubiales

Desperate_Housewife wrote: »

I empty my vacuum bag in it...

Thanks for the tip! Just emptied my Dyson into the Dalek!

Had another thought. Is it OK to put in spent charcoal and ash from a cold BBQ?

Kay_Peel

rubiales wrote: »

Thanks for the tip! Just emptied my Dyson into the Dalek!

Had another thought. Is it OK to put in spent charcoal and ash from a cold BBQ?

I wouldn't if I were you. Wood ash and ash from burnt paper are OK.

k

kate2510

Had another thought. Is it OK to put in spent charcoal and ash from a cold BBQ?[/QUOTE]

It would depend - what do you use to get the BBQ going? Petro-chemicals (sp?) are not a good idea so no burned plastics either.
If the spent charcoal was in very small pieces it might well rot down at the same rate as the garden waste etc. Otherwise you should let everything get rainwashed thoroughly - if you have the space for this - before adding to the heap. But Kay is probably right - best to err on the side of caution if you are short on space or experience.

Al_Mac

My new wooden compost frame arrived yesterday.

Now set up and full of the dalek half rotted stuff and the leaves that I'd been trying to turn into a mulch.

The question I have, I've looked at arkonite's sticky but couldn't find the answer, is when should it be covered, it says when it is to wet, but what is to wet?

Thanks

angie_loves_veg

covering your compost does a number of jobs.

keeps the pile warm - faster compost production
stops it dying out in the summer
stops it getting too wet in the winter
can stop (or at least inhibit) weed growth on the yop of the bin

Your compost wants to be damp (like soil would be), not sopping wet. If it is very dry, I occasionally add a watering can of water

you can cover with lots of things - old carpet, old duvet etc. don't believe that you have to buy a special all purpose cover, althouh they are available, and generally they are 'waterproof', not allowing natures rain to soak into the bin

btw I have a wooden compost bin made from 4 pallets, and as it is sited under the spread of a large tree, I don't bother covering it at all!

jrrowleyws

A wire handle poked through the carpet is good as you dont have to get too messy when you lift the lid to add veg peelings etc..