Homemade compost is so exciting! (MERGED)

Lotus-eater

It's better to have a lid as you then control the elements, think of it like a greenhouse, you control how much moisture gets to the plants and they stay warm when you want them too, a compost heap is the same. I would make the lid water tight, but not the sides myself.
hcg, the most practical design I would use if I was building another one out of wood, would be to have 4 posts, slats between them with 0.5 cm gap between them and a solid slatted lid. Underneath, I would have heavy wire, to keep out rats and mice, some peoples bins are bothered by them, some not. Mine are.
I would also keep an eye on the sides round the back as the vermin can chew their way in through wood.
When the wooden bin was filled I would put cardboard round the inside of the bin, I've used this before on wooden bins and it makes a big difference to the speed and quality of composting. Make the front slats removable somehow so you can get the compost out.

Joolzr68

Hi hcg

Just wondering if someone would mind answering a novice question - does it need to have a lid, and should it be water tight? I guess the air needs to get in, but is it ok if it fills up with rain water?

We have a wooden home made bin and all we do is cover it with an old off cut of carpet to keep out the elements and keep heat in (fluffy side down). This works fine for us and we make lovely compost. Do remember that all heaps still may need a little water added from time to time so I wouldnt make it water tight if it's gonna be a wooden framed heap.

Remember, Air + moisture + Nitrogen rich wast (grass clippings, prunings, veg waste) + Carbon waste ( leaves, straw,wood chips, paper) = FANTASTIC COMPOST!!:j

hcg_2

Thanks for the advice - I think I'll go with the solid wooden lid with gaps in the slats at the sides for air. Looking forward to getting the results ... have to learn patience!

Austin_Allegro

I've made pretty good compost with just a huge dump of old greenery and lawn cuttings at the bottom of the garden. While clearing it I noticed the bottom of the heap had turned to an incredibly dark, peaty compost which must have been very fertile because loads of nettles and things were growing from it. So if I want compost I just shove a spade under the heap and pull it out.

mouseymousey99

Trouble is.........I got a bit carried away.........and I've stuffed it so full I can't cram anymore in. I can't get the little door thing to open either...any suggestions?? 'Garden' is so tiny I can't fit in another bin, or belive me I would.

olibearhorse

christ, is this still going? I haven't been on for ages so am highly amused it is still being added to!

mousymousy99 - have you given it a good turn with a fork? I find that as long as I do that every couple of weeks, it soon reduces enough to keep topping up. I only have one bin and a small garden but have always managed to find space....

bonsibabe

I got really excited the other day as my second bin got delivered! The kids have named the first one Derek and they have named this one Davina and have said the new one is Derek's girlfriend!

Derek is about almost half full already as my neighbour is providing me with her veggie peelings and tea bags! So am getting green waste from two households and my brown waste is enough for the bin! When the second bin got delivered, they gave me another caddy! So am using one for green and one for brown! When they are both full, they just get tipped in .. that way it stays 50/50 on the green and brown front! no more guessing for me lol x

Joolzr68

christ, is this still going? I haven't been on for ages so am highly amused it is still being added to!

Thats because composting is soooo exciting!:j

bonsibabe

Joolz I would have to agree with you on that:D! I am very new to all this but am really enjoying it. Keeping all the waste and sorting it into green and brown is a bit of a cool job that the kids love to do;). DD1 likes to get the veg peelings and attempt to cut them down with a blunt knife! She's only 7 so doesn't get to touch the sharp ones.

We have 2 bins, one just got delivered last week and the other is about just over 1/3 full. We managed to get 2 caddies out of it :rolleyes: so 1 is kept just for green waste and the other is for brown. DD2 has the job of ripping up the paper to be put in the brown caddy and she does a sterling job of it!!! Am thinking of getting my dad to ask starbucks if he can get their coffee grinds that they throw out for me to put in the bin as well. I have heard that grinds act like an activator so would work out well for everyone! I have also heard that men's wee acts in the same way but cannot for the life of me get hubby to wee into a bottle for me:rotfl:.

I know about the veg peelings, tea bags, paper, cardboard, loo rolls, hoover contents, coffee grinds, garden waste etc, but would love to know if there is anything else that can be added to the bin?

I ask only from the viewpoint of being as green as possible! We have a bokashi thing so just waiting to see if that actually works. Have followed all the instructions and over the last week, the amount of wasts we put in the normal bin only half filled the bin!!!

Thanks all, and please keep posting as I love to read this thread!!!:beer:

SAMHP_2

Grass clippings (sandwiched between shredded paper); hair (yuk) from hairbrush or moulting animals; pet bedding (eg hamsters, guinea pigs etc) if on hay or straw, crushed egg shells; cardboard egg boxes (excellent becuase of their shape they act as natural aerators too); old woollen jumpers or socks in fact anything woollen is a good source of nitrogen (but not nylon or anything man-made); old cotton tshirts; feathers - contents of old feather pillows, eiderdowns etc; cardboard drinks cartons (you can remove the non-composted bits when the time comes); dead flowers; wood ash (not coal); old envelopes and (non-shiny) junk mail; snails, slugs and woodlice.

Wee is good because of its high nitrogen and potassium value, but don't over-do it becuase of the salt content.
Ditto don't put too much citrus fruit in the heap in one go becasue the worms will find this too acidic - but if you leave the fruit to grow a bit of mould first that seems to be OK!

SAM