Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

katskorner

I have three heaps (one ready for use, one rotting, and one underway) and I cover all of them with carpet. The one that is ready is covered to prevent weeds from growing, the one rotting is covered to speed up the process (I might occasionally add a can of compost accelerator); and the one in use is covered to get it working, even though I am constantly adding to it. I find that it works a treat.

cazziebo

I was so excited about new compost bin coming. in fact, so excited, I'd already started keeping what could go in it. I didn't realise it had to go on top of soil, and my back garden is completely paved (yuk - not by me!), apart from a small rose bed which is my pride and joy. I obviously don't want to put it in the front garden. I am getting the back garden landscaped soon (paved too high and causing water to run into airbricks, thus causing incredible damp problem in house) so could possible ask them to leave a bit for it then. Would it be possible to put it on rose bed for a short term? Or is there a way I could put something under it and use it on the paving just now?

any ideas, folks?

Caz

CazW_2

Hiya... I read somwhere that you can put a layer of soil at the bottom but you'll need to buy some worms to put in it as it's the worms that break everything down... thats why they say to put it on bare soil - so the worms can get in.

hth
Caz

Wig

Put it on patio if you like, an inch or two of soil in the bottom, the worms will find it in good time.

Compost worms are not standard earthworms, they are the type with red bands along their length.

Kay_Peel

Here's a tip, if you have to put your dalek on a hard surface:

Put a layer of scrunched up newspaper and torn cardboard on the bottom. Put your compost material in (veg peelings, grass clippings, etc) and then......

put a shovel full of soil on top. The worms/bacteria for breaking down the compost will be in that shovelful. They will work their way down the pile. The newspaper and cardboard will soak up excess moisture.

Just keep adding a hunk of soil every so often - and plenty of tea-bags, paper and cardboard to stop sogginess.

k.

Agutka

I never knew you needed to put it on soil. It used to live on soil, but now I keep it on the patio - something is definitely happening in there, as the level keeps going down. The reason I put it on the patio was that in that area dead leaves used to gather and I found they were magically getting composted under their own weight and weight of prunings and suchlike. I didn't really need a composter - it's just neater this way. Said compost btw was full of worms and critters, so I guess they find their way in somehow...

Fletch01

find a suitable spot for the dalek on the paved area and lift a couple of the flags exposing the soil beneath. if they're cemented down, break them up with a hammer and chisel. it won't matter as you are landscaping soon anyway. dig over the soil a bit to de-compact it and put your bin in place. fill it now and you could have good compost for on the new plants.

alanobrien

Agutka wrote: »

I never knew you needed to put it on soil.

This is a myth. OK, so it is definately preferable to put it on soil for speed of conversion as the worms will get to the inside of the composter quickly however it isn't essential. In my less than enlightened days i used on old barrel on concrete the only opening was at the top. Over a couple of years it go filled with garden stuff which turned into very nice compost. I recall it was worm city when i finally emptied the thing.

Poppycat

I have mine on a concrete slabs, I just shoved some old peat compost in from containers, garden waste material etc in.

I was going to fasten the bin down as it moves slightly as its only about 3-5% full but then I thought, how can worms ect get in if I do, already seen woodlice moving around in it.

It said on instruction that it can take small cardboard and even dust from you vacuum cleaner.

Magentasue

If you have any slabs that are liftable, you can lift the middle one so that worms can get in.