Composting Advice

twinklie

Thanks all, I’m going to go outside shortly and decide on a suitable location. I’m quite excited to get started.

-taff

Farway wrote: »

However slow worms then moved in this summer, presumably able to navigate the mesh holes.
Of course they presented their own problems as I didn't want to disturb them by chucking more stuff on top of them
Overall slow worms are preferred to rats;)

I love slow worms, only had them in the garden I had before, they don't seem to have migrated to where I live now...From memory though, they don't care if you throw more stuff on them, they'll just move. It did make turning the compost more perilous though...For them certainly, for me, I just kept saying sorry worms! and doing it anyway

silverwhistle

At home I've a bought in compostor but at the new allotment I built a double bay one from 5 pallets screwed together. I think I may have had rats at one stage at the latter, which I'm not so worried about there and at least the hole got some air into the compost!


I also experimented with shoving some material in a cheap plastic dustbin I had knocking around and then once a week rolling and tipping it a few yards between different positions. That was really quick in producing decent compost, and a cheap alternative to the purchased tumbler ones. Not an experiment to be bothered about long term though!

pile-o-stone

I have a Joraform insulated compost tumbler that is vermin proof and makes compost really really quickly, due mainly to the fact you can rotate it easily (which heats up the compost) and due to the insulation that helps keep that heat in, especially in winter).

As it's raised up and therefore vermin proof, you can also put cooked food in there (including meat & fish). We have zero food waste in our household bins now.



The bin has two chambers, so you fill one with food and garden waste until it's full, then you start using the other chamber By the time that gets full, the compost in the first bin is ready to be emptied and used. The cycle then repeats.

One surprising thing is that even though the bin is off the ground, it is absolutely teaming with worms. When I first got the bin, I put some compost in the chamber from our old bin to get the process started so there must have been worms in there. They multiply like mad and tend to live in the gaps between the insulation panels when the compost is a bit too hot for them (or they migrate from one chamber to the next as it's cooler in the older compost).

I now use our old compost bins to hold the compost from the Joraform until I'm ready to use it. I also have a container underneath to capture liquid that falls out of the bottom of the tumbler, which I use as the base for liquid compost.

savemoney

Wow that's expensive dont doubt its good though


You can get far cheaper tumbling ones abet not insulated though


This one seems good for the price and wont rust but rats have been know to eat through plastic and wood


https://www.amazon.co.uk/105-Litre-Tumbling-Composter-Effortless/dp/B01LY6O8E8?ref_=ast_bbp_dp

pile-o-stone wrote: »

I have a Joraform insulated compost tumbler that is vermin proof and makes compost really really quickly, due mainly to the fact you can rotate it easily (which heats up the compost) and due to the insulation that helps keep that heat in, especially in winter).

As it's raised up and therefore vermin proof, you can also put cooked food in there (including meat & fish). We have zero food waste in our household bins now.



The bin has two chambers, so you fill one with food and garden waste until it's full, then you start using the other chamber By the time that gets full, the compost in the first bin is ready to be emptied and used. The cycle then repeats.

One surprising thing is that even though the bin is off the ground, it is absolutely teaming with worms. When I first got the bin, I put some compost in the chamber from our old bin to get the process started so there must have been worms in there. They multiply like mad and tend to live in the gaps between the insulation panels when the compost is a bit too hot for them (or they migrate from one chamber to the next as it's cooler in the older compost).

I now use our old compost bins to hold the compost from the Joraform until I'm ready to use it. I also have a container underneath to capture liquid that falls out of the bottom of the tumbler, which I use as the base for liquid compost.

pile-o-stone

savemoney wrote: »

Wow that's expensive dont doubt its good though

Yes I baulked a bit at the price!

I've had it for about 3 years now and, when I can be bothered to clean the outside, it still looks brand new. Hopefully it'll last a lifetime and repay the initial cost with lots of good quality compost. The insulation is where the cost comes from I think, but it's worth it in winter when you open it and feel just how much heat is being stored - helping to break down the compost. There are air vents on the side of the drum and in a cold snap you can see steam coming out. Bit annoying as it's much warmer in the composter than in our house! :rotfl:

savemoney

It is well built sure it will last a long time. Nice to make your own there. I never understand why many people on my allotments dont do it they rather burn stuff which is damaging to environment. A bit of care and some effort cutting thick stems and woody material and 6 +months time you have great compost unless of course you turn it over regularly

You should be able to compost some stuff in it that composters normally cant do unless on commercial scale with that due to intense heat


I would like a tumbler composter just dont have the space at home or allotment

pile-o-stone wrote: »

Yes I baulked a bit at the price!

I've had it for about 3 years now and, when I can be bothered to clean the outside, it still looks brand new. Hopefully it'll last a lifetime and repay the initial cost with lots of good quality compost. The insulation is where the cost comes from I think, but it's worth it in winter when you open it and feel just how much heat is being stored - helping to break down the compost. There are air vents on the side of the drum and in a cold snap you can see steam coming out. Bit annoying as it's much warmer in the composter than in our house! :rotfl:

silverwhistle

pile-o-stone wrote: »

Yes I baulked a bit at the price!

I don't think I want to know! Mind you, having discovered the efficacy of my improvised solution I might go for one of the cheaper versions and improvise some bubble wrap (or summat) insulation for winter.


Edit: I see what you mean!

Richmc

Hot Bin composters are worth a look, they aren't cheep but work fantastically, I bought two for my 1/3 acre plot and won't be buying any commercial compost this year!, my local pub saves all their veg cuttings for me to compost and still I could handle more. Some of the online seed and plant suppliers are doing them now and they won "best gadget" or whatever it's called at RHS Chelsea 2019.

twopenny

I used wooden compost containers (one made from old fence panels, one from boards) but the best of all was made by a gardener with just 4 posts and chicken wire around them. Made the quickest and best compost. Just not that scenic.
Moving into a small garden I came across one made like a dog kennel/little house and the roof lifts up, bottom flap. It looks good and works very well.
I'd say the easiest and tidiest would be the square one, gaps in the boards. If posible have one where the boards at the front can be removed. Makes it much easier to remove the compost. Also to put in the debris from the garden as you can put the front boards in as the level increases but you don't have to haul a bucket full of weeds over the top of a high one.
Don't only put soft stuff in, a few light thin dried stems and such or prunings will open up the soft stuff and it will rot quicker.
When starting a new one on bare earth a few small thin branches on the bottom lifts the soft stuff and lets the air get in. The worms will quickly find it regardless.

Also get a small bathroom pedal bin to go under the sink - put your vegetable pealings, tea bags etc in there and empty into compost once full. Then you don't have to keep going in and out.
Composting is rewarding because when you are weeding you are not only tidying the garden but making good stuff to feed it at the same time :-)