Starting a Compost Bin (Merged Thread)

Horace

Ask your local council for a compost bin - it worked for my mum and she added it to her collection (she must have about 10 of them now).

LeroyBoyce

Where is the cheapest place to buy a plastic dustbin?

Tesco?
Wilkinson?
Lidl?
B&Q?!

belfastgirl23

Hi everyone

Over the last while I've been trying to get a bit greener. I've been trying to buy less and recycle more with some success (bin goes out about every 5 weeks now!)

Anyway the next logical step is composting. I've been surfing like crazy looking for more info (thanks for the links arkonite!) and now have a good idea of what can go into a composting bin. But I've not been able to find any more info on the cheap bin I've just ordered from my local council (unsurprisingly Belfast City ) I'm wondering if anyone has a bin like this http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/wastecollections/composter.asp?menuitem=composter

My big concern is whether it has no bottom on it because mr BG is going to take quite a bit of convincing on this and if there is no bottom on it I've lost the argument before we even begin. The other issue I will have with him and potentially with neighbours is if there is any smell. Can anyone reassure me about this? (sorry should have said we have no real soil in the garden, it's been paved before my time)

For info I also have a green plastic lidded dustbin languishing at the side of the house (here when we moved in). There are no holes or anything in it - would I be best off drilling holes in it and using it for composting? There are only two of us so I'm also a bit worried about filling a big composter, altho the council helpfully don't tell you how big it is.

Sorry for the idiots guide questions but I'm trying to anticipate Mr BG's objections in advance and have answers for them..any help very gratefully received Or indeed any tips on how you might have encouraged reluctant spouses to participate...

Ken68

Hi Belfast....You need the open ended composter in touch with soil, otherwise it WILL smell. \Can you take up one of the paving slabs?
And the resulting compost, after a year or so will need to go somewhere, usually the garden, but in your case probably large pots.

msmicawber

I had one of those and it was quite good. As Ken says, the bottom is open so that it's in contact with the soil and worms can come up and work their magic. To keep the smell down, and aid the composting, you can add ripped paper or cardboard.

Jonesya

We've got a similar bin, initially we used it as a composter but had problems because we didn't get the ratio of green/brown waste right and it did start to smell. We added a load of worms to the bin and these do a much better job of breaking down the mainly green (kitchen peelings) waste, the smell has gone although we do have to watch out for fruit flies during the summer which we stop by putting some old compost or paper over the top of the heap to stop the flies getting to it.

polomint_2

We have the same one as you are getting and have had wonderful rich compost for three years running.

It does take a little work as it cant be easily turned.

every now and again we get a garden fork in there to give it a turn around.

and once a year we pull off the compost separate the rotting down stuff from the rotted stuff at the bottom...sieve and bag up the ready compost and pop back in the rest.

make sure to put in a good mix, such as shredded paper (a great way to really be sure no one gets your details from your shredded paper work) cardboard, cardboard egg cartons, inside of the loo rolls ripped up. you need to get a good mix of wet (peelings, grass cuttings,garden material etc) and dry material.

I get alot of pleasure in the summer when i do my potting with my very own home made compost...:j ...we have so much now we give some away to family.

Hope this helps

Poppycat

Yes I have one got it about May last year, didnt take long to fill it up either. Used old garden waste (weeds make sure they are dead), egg boxes, cardboard, egg shells, old plant container composts like peat etc

I just started to use some of the compost the last week or so, nicely composted apart from the few twigs/plant stumps

If I find worms I also put it in there

I also been using some of it in new containers mixed with some fresh peat for plants. I also been digging holes in soils larger than the plant and showing some in there and then planting the plant

polomint_2

This may help a bit more..

Put these inLike any recipe, your compost relies on the right ingredients to make it work. Good things you can compost include vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags, plant prunings and grass cuttings. These are considered “Greens.” Greens are quick to rot and they provide important nitrogen and moisture. Other things you can compost include cardboard egg boxes, scrunched up paper and fallen leaves. These are considered “Browns” and are slower to rot. They provide fibre and carbon and also allow important air pockets to form in the mixture. Crushed eggshells can be included to add useful minerals.


Keep these out

Certain things should never be placed in your bin. No cooked vegetables, no meat, no dairy products, no diseased plants, and definitely no dog poo or cat litter, or baby’s nappies. Putting these in your bin can encourage unwanted pests and can also create odour. Also avoid composting perennial weeds (such as dandelions and thistle) or weeds with seed heads. Remember that plastics, glass and metals are not suitable for composting and should be recycled separately.


Making Good Compost

The key to good compost lies in getting the mix right. You need to keep your Greens and Browns properly balanced. If your compost is too wet, add more Browns. If it’s too dry, add some Greens. Making sure there is enough air in the mixture is also important. Adding scrunched up bits of cardboard is a simple way to create air pockets that will help keep your compost healthy. Air can also be added by mixing the contents. After approximately 6-9 months your finished compost will be ready.

belfastgirl23

Thanks all, these answers are most helpful! Although not exactly encouraging in that I can't imagine how I'm going to talk the DH into any of this. The back yard is a def no no as we sit out there in summer. I had been thinking about the sides of the house as the possible site but we have very close neighbours either side (basically passageway) and I am worried about the smells, esp since it would need to be near a front door if it was to get any direct sun. The front of the house again would be a no for DH and indeed given where we live there'd be a pretty good chance of neighbourhood kids knocking it over for sport. Would I be better off with a wormery do you think? I'm reluctant to give up on it altogether cos our waste is pretty much exactly the stuff outlined in polomint's post....