Homemade compost is so exciting! (MERGED)

stilernin

Loosen the soil it is sitting on and 'wiggle' it so the bottom inch or so is wedged in the ground. Then until there is a decent amount of stuff in it, turn the lid upside down and put a brick on it to give it a bit of stability.

mardatha

:rotfl::rolleyes: My god, everything's easy when you just have a brain ! :rotfl:

stilernin

Many years of experience (aka disasters) more like :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Lotus-eater

SAMHP wrote: »

Yup, browns and greens should be half and half. Make sure your Hoover contents are essentially natural ie wool carpet residue, pet hair etc.
Water is good if it's looking really dry, wee is better - more nutirents - mens or womens - doesnt' really matter, but WATER IT DOWN - undiluted wee is really strong - could contain lots of salt - so do at least at 50:50 dilution rate
SAM

You don't need to water down wee for compost bins at all, you are supposed to when you fertilise plants,

TismE_3

I have an old galvanized coal bunker, if i was too take the bottom out and place directly onto the soil , do you think this could be turned into a composing bin?
Its about a metre square, and has a hatch at the base, but its solid.
can i use this if so any advise as to how to turn it into one would be great, do i need to make air holes in the sides or not ........

Thanks tisme x

Lotus-eater

I would think that would be perfect, take the bottom off as you say, You can make air holes and I think that would be a good idea, but not essential.

Spirit_2

"I have an old galvanized coal bunker, if i was too take the bottom out and place directly onto the soil , do you think this could be turned into a composing bin?"

TisME
One of my compost bins is a galvanised coal bunker - I have'nt altered it at all - I do wedge open the lid to let some air in. It has'nt been perfect but OK.

Last year I got two strong men to push it over so I could get the compost out - the top layer I put back in but the rest was rotted enough to go on the garden.

Spirit

TismE_3

Thanks for your replies. =0)
I think i will take the bottom off, its fairly easy to do on mine, only a few bolts.

now i just need to decide where to put it !? i've got a fairly big garden to say im smack bang in the middle of a housing estate, shall i put it somewhere thats in full sun most of the day , or somewhere slightly more shaded?

THANKS Tisme x

Busybody

OOH! arent you lucky to have a coal bunker.. I wish I had got one!! much more easy on the eye than a plastic dalek..

Kaizen_Marketing_Print

I got a compost bin from my council in december and have been filling it with grass cuttings regularly, but I just wanted to ask how you know when compost from the bin is ready to use on the veg patch (another beginner at this too)

This shows my naivety, but I believe compost should be fully decomposed before putting on the patch

sorry for the silly question