Homemade compost is so exciting! (MERGED)

absfabs

Karena wrote: »

Can I put the compost bin on concrete patio ? If so should I put some compost or soil in the bottom ?
Thanks Karen.

Yes you can. Might be a bit slower to compost than on natural ground, but the worms will find it!
And yes, I thin a few shovelsfull of gardensoild at the bottom will help, as you are providing the natural micro-organisms normally found in the ground. When it's half=way full, add some more soil, and finally, when nearly full, cover again with soil.
It works ,we have done it like this for years.

Reverbe

I have a little pot plant here and I was recently looking for a tiny bag of compost which I could find on the high street . (Thanks to those who posted and offered their suggestions by the way)However all I could find was a huge bag from Wilkos etc even tho this was only £1 0r £1.49 or so I didnt want to buy it to throw most of it away as I only needed a handful. I have had to bin the plant in the end but I am going to grow a few seeds on the small side table in the lounge so was wondering as I have a lot of fruit, veg,coffee grounds and tea bags etc if I could make my own compost as I only will ever need tiny amounts. Does anyone know where I can find a mini composter preferably free which I can keep in our tiny kitchen and also if this would be suitable for salad leaves and herbs etc grown in a pot in our tiny flat?

Many thanks.

Karena_3

absfabs wrote: »

Yes you can. Might be a bit slower to compost than on natural ground, but the worms will find it!
And yes, I thin a few shovelsfull of gardensoild at the bottom will help, as you are providing the natural micro-organisms normally found in the ground. When it's half=way full, add some more soil, and finally, when nearly full, cover again with soil.
It works ,we have done it like this for years.

Thanks.I have found some soil and put it in the bottom.I also found some worms and put them in.I will add more soil later when it is part full.Karen.

Karena_3

]Hi Karena,

I found this bit of info on the web about your problem,







Hope it helps [/QUOTE]

Thanks for the information.The paving slabs are not in good shape so a bit more of a stain will not matter.:pKaren.

Lotus-eater

Reverbe wrote: »

I have a little pot plant here and I was recently looking for a tiny bag of compost which I could find on the high street . (Thanks to those who posted and offered their suggestions by the way)However all I could find was a huge bag from Wilkos etc even tho this was only £1 0r £1.49 or so I didnt want to buy it to throw most of it away as I only needed a handful. I have had to bin the plant in the end but I am going to grow a few seeds on the small side table in the lounge so was wondering as I have a lot of fruit, veg,coffee grounds and tea bags etc if I could make my own compost as I only will ever need tiny amounts. Does anyone know where I can find a mini composter preferably free which I can keep in our tiny kitchen and also if this would be suitable for salad leaves and herbs etc grown in a pot in our tiny flat?

Many thanks.

You can't really compost inside, it's just not feasible.

You could have a wormery, but if you can find someone, a better option would be to give all your green waste to someone that does compost outside and ask him for a little bit of his compost in return. You will still need to mix it with some bought in multipurpose compost, ideally the steriliized MP should be on top of the pot so you don't get weed seeds germinating from the garden compost.

If you are growing stuff inside (a great idea) they need a very light window to grow well. Salad leaves and things like spring onions will do better outside tbh, so if you have a windowbox perfect. Things like tiny tomato bushes, will do excellent inside, or chillies.

bonsibabe

I would have to agree with Lotus-eater. If you know someone who has a compost bin, it would be a good idea to give them your green waste and ask if they could share some of their compost with you.

That's what we are doing with our neighbour. Her garden is all paved apart from a small flower bed and we have a huge garden in comparison (we are end terraced so our garden goes all the way round). She is keeping all her green waste and her loo roll inners for us, and when our compost is "cooked" then we will be sharing some with her.

Good luck with your growing as well!

Joolzr68

Reverbe -

I have had to bin the plant in the end but I am going to grow a few seeds on the small side table in the lounge

I'm presuming this is in a light enough position to grow seeds and because you're having problems getting a small bag of compost I'd suggest you try a kit of some kind (sorry if someone has sugessted this before). This web site has some kits that include the compost, containers and seeds,
http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/category.asp?dept_id=200468

I've also just seen this product that may be of interest on the same site, small dehydrated compost, compact and light. I presume you can rehydrate as much or as little as you need. http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/product.asp?dept_id=33&pf_id=LS2798D

jumanji

Another newbie to composting ! After reading the posts on this thread I've decided it's time I got myself a composter. I got in touch with my local council about a composter - lo and behold they are going to give me a free composter - the only downside is that delivery is within 28 days

bebee_2

I ordered mine on the 19th March from the local Councill £22 in total with delivery.of 28 days can't wait and keeping ticking the days of the calendar. how sad am i

emptygrape

Made my own compost bin last year from the casing of a broken washing machine, and clad it in some old bits of timber that were lay about- slats of an old bed I think. Seems to be going fine and I have the added bonus that the drum is now my incinerator for the bits I don’t compost.