Starting a Compost Bin (Merged Thread)

Linda32

Kazonline wrote:

Lol - that's just what I was like when I got mine... and I'm only in my early 30's.... surely I shouldn't be so excited by such things????
Sorry I don't know the answer to your query as to whether you can use your bin - but at a guess I'd say it's probably similar to a composter if you cut off the bottom.... having the contents in contact with the ground helps it to get broken down apparently (allows the bugs & worms in)
The lid on my composter is a very snug fit too - I'm guessing it's so it stays inplace on the occasions that lots of heat/gas is produced.... but that is purely a guess.
Hope you get a more exact answer soon.
Kaz x

I'm 35 and addicted to gardening :rotfl: I can't say I've been gardening for ever though, only three years last September. Best place is on the soil as you say so the worms can get in and turn the material around.
The lid is lockable, the same as a water butt to prevent small children / accidents / falling in :eek: The rule was bought in about 5 years ago, all existing moulds for water butts and composters had to be modified to make lockable lids, rather than just push on lids.

teapot2

I know the best place is on the soil but I have a small garden so my question is will it be possible to site the compost bin in the sun on paving slabs? Will it still work or do I need to do something extra to make it work if its not on soil?

TIA Teapot

Penny_Farthing_2

It will work but, as you say, it's better on soil. To make it work faster, empty it every couple of months and mix it all up then put it back again. If you have space, it's best to get 2 bins. Fill one up, turn it out and mix it then put it into the second bin. By the time you've filled the first one again, the second should have rotted down enough for you to put most of the first one in and so on.
Take care not to add grass clippings in a big lump, though.

Linda32

You can also buy an excellorator in the form of a liquid. I guess wilkinsons might have it but garden centres would.

I'm not sure how or why it works but it apparently enables the material to rot down faster.

csnann

You don't need to buy an accelerator - get your boyfrend or husband to wee on the compost! Apparently the nitrogen in it will help break down the vegetable matter really fast, you could do it yourself but you might have trouble balancing!:rotfl:

teapot2

csnann wrote:

You don't need to buy an accelerator - get your boyfrend or husband to wee on the compost! Apparently the nitrogen in it will help break down the vegetable matter really fast, you could do it yourself but you might have trouble balancing!:rotfl:

unfortunately our garden is somewhat overlooked so I think the neighbours might be somewhat startled :rotfl: :rotfl:

kempie666

Two tips - for the compost, use an old milk bottle (the 4 pint type are probaby best!) and fill that (ahem!) discreetly before thr trip to the end of the garden.

For potatoes, last year I got a grow bag, cut it in half round th emiddle to make two open top sacks with compost in. Planted a potato in each (ones I had bought from the supermarket to eat, but they sprouted), and off you go. Works every time - easy to harvest as you just tip the bag out onto a tarpaulin and sift through the soil - which can then be mixed on the compost heap or put straight on the garden.

teapot2

Just ordered my compost bin today :j Special deal for £8 its a 330 litre bin with free delivery and free bucket for the kitchen [barg ], might be useful for other folk in Scotland? The website is

http://www.wasteawarescotland.org.uk/html/index.asp

just type in your postcode to find out if they are doing offers in your area, am sure they will be doing them in other parts of the country too so check it out via your local council's website - thats how I found this one.

Can wait to get started

Kazonline

Apparently it's also a good idea to add some soil to the composter - it introduces the right bugs and things to get it going (I'm sure someone else can explain this better). As for how much it produces - I'm amazed how I seem to fill it to halfway and the next time I look it's all disappeared.... I'm sure someone is nicking it!!!!
Ok, I know there's not, but it's amazing how it vanishes.
Kaz x

alanobrien

Just recieved a 330 litre bin so emptied my old home made one into it.

Never seen so many worms in one place before, never used a starter or accelerator, if the bin is placed on the earth and you put in varied contents nature will sort out the rest !