Starting a Compost Bin (Merged Thread)

Penelope_Penguin

mouseymousey99 wrote: »

Okey dokey not going to start singing (phew). Mr Tesco deliverd my shiney new compost bin today (its massive). Also my new water butt (green points all round). I'm ok with making compost - but just a quick question - what did you put at the bottom of yours? I'm thinking of newpapers etc to try to keep the contents warm?

When I empty mine and start again, I put a layer of cardboard in the bottom, then a layer of twiggy material. This means good drainage :T

Does your bin have an open bottom (does it sit straight onto the ground) If so, you may want to put in a layer of fine-mesh chicken wire, to try to stop rats burrowing from below :eek:

Penny. x

Smithills

I sprinkle my shredded paper in there from time to time- just need to add it in bits, rather than add a whole years paper/bills in one go. For that reason, I wouldn't be adding a daily or even weekly newspaper really. I do chuck my toilet roll/kitchen roll inners in, (if not saving them for seeds like I am now;)), egg boxes (with any stickers pulled off, though I'm not completely diligent about getting it all off), and the occasional brown paper bag from veg, or brown paper from flowers. The aim is to get a mix- you won't go far wrong if you get a good mix of dry (paper), wet (a bit of grass clipping), chunky (twigs and sticks) and thin (flower heads). Take the lid off it if it gets a bit sweaty (in summer) and water it if it is dry. In winter it won't do too much, but wait for it to get going in spring!

Anything that doesn't rot down goes through it again- tea bags are very persistent! As are avocado skins and stones. I have 2 on the go- one resting, one being filled, and just swop between them. And another for leaf mould, but that's another story!:p

DCFC79

mouseymousey99 wrote: »

Any point in acquiring a small shredder do you think? (for the daily paper and junk mail).

why not, they're cheap enough these days