After a few problems, caused by the sloping ground I was building on, the container has now been divided into three compost bays. At first I had to store the compost material on the site while I built the container around it. It dried out a bit while I was on holiday but eventually I was able to fork it all into the end bay, damp it down and contain it there by installing the dividing "walls" , each of which is in three sections. They were a lucky "on offer' find at my local builders merchant. They just needed a few cuts to make fit.
By sliding out the plywood dividing sections each bay can still be accessed from its neighbouring bay.
And now the front sliders are also installed (5 per bay) all 3 bays are ready for use.
The first two bays are not yet needed because all the material (from the previous photos) went into the far end bay a couple of days ago. It was then about 60% full. I dampened it down with water collected from around the garden and completely covered it with a thick polythene bag I had spare. Then something exciting occurred...
When I lifted the covering bag yesterday and plunged my hand into the the compost I was thrilled to find it was so hot the steam was coming off it. You could have coddled an egg in it..
I thought at first it may have been wishful thinking when it seemed as though the heap had also diminished in size, but when I checked its level it was clearly only half way up the container. From 60% full to 50% full in a couple of days seems to indicate some pretty fast composting is suddenly taking place. But then when you look at the material in the first few photos it has dramatically reduced from the pile stretched across the half built container a couple of weeks ago. It has also changed to a darker colour as decomposition occurs.
I feel at last all the hard work was worthwhile.
Now I have to return to my neglected patios and garden: weeding, making space, some very late planting (if I can get round to it before Autumn!) and then hopefully a good dose of admiring and self congratulation. As Geoff Hamilton used to say, after all the work a garden sometimes just needs a good looking at.
On my compost bins, made out of recycled pallets, I top the piles of compost with camouflage tarpaulin sheets bought very cheaply on eBay. They keep out the rain, keep in some heat and blend in pretty well. I can post pictures tomorrow but they will look very second rate compared to your Rolls Royce bins Birdy.
This looks superb. I'm very envious and wish I had space to do likewise. I love the ease of access, particularly for regular turning - far better than dalek bins!
I built a 3 bay one last year, just using pallets, slid over round tree stakes, so the sections can lift on or off. Very simple to build, no screws or anything, took about half an hour. Next to yours it looks a bit like a scrapyard! The composting process works brilliantly in them though, much better than the Daleks. The waste does compact by about 10 percent in the first day or two, but the composting also works very quickly. Leaves break down fine, but as has been said, shredding in the lawnmower first (for anything) speeds the process up a lot. You’ll love that first batch of lovely rich black compost!
Looking great Birdy. Very smart job You've got a great site for it if it's generating so much heat. I don't have a suitable location for one now, for various reasons, and it annoys me greatly. Good luck with it - it'll bring enormous benefits to your garden.
Those screws do work well - providing you have a decent enough drill/driver. Mine is beyond hopeless now - batteries are dreadful on it.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Great to get so much positive feedback. I'm now under pressure, of course, to make full use of my new compost factory. Re everyone's comments:
Picidae: Pallets are ideal - if they do the job that's all that matters. I like the idea of the tarpaulin camouflage. I'm still considering what might be better to use than polythene. I know old carpet works but then I imagine they get really manky after a while.
Garden Noob I totally agree regarding Dalek bins - you just can't get to the material once it's inside without a lot of fuss turning it out.
Blue Onion I might have same problem until the end of the year, then the hedges and roses et cetera will need a lot of cutting back and pruning and then of course I'll have to buy a shredder! I've just seen one in Screwfix on offer for £69.99. I'm tempted but have nowhere to store it. I can see I'll have to revamp my shed space if I want to be able to claim I just couldn't resist.
Josusa47 if it is an old-fashioned wardrobe made of polished hardwood you could go for it. It would do the job really well. You'd have nothing to lose - except an old wardrobe - and you'd gain space in the garage. You don't want to go too small though because the bulk and weight of material helps the heat build up right in the centre. Too small and it would lose heat too quickly - like birds 🐥 people 👭 and planets 🌎 etc bigger is best.
Jellyfire I considered using pallets but I just couldn't figure out how to avoid all the fag of pulling out nails to break them apart and before rebuilding again. Having spent most my life making extra work by making do I decided I'd like to treat myself by getting materials of the right dimensions from my local builders yard and then getting their sawmill to do sawing to length for me. All the timber then fitted into my car.
Before that of course I needed the site and the proposed structure to be carefully measured and then plans neatly drawn. (yeah!) Mine were mostly scribbled on the backs of envelopes!
But seriously, I would have been interested in seeing your method a couple of months back before I had embarked on my own project. Nobody has to use new materials. What about a photo or two to inspire other enthusiasts?
Hostafan thanks, Hosta.
Fairygirl My drill's battery is now very weak and the drill was quite heavy so I considered another cordless from Argos for £44.95. It got pretty good internet reviews so I bought it. The details are: product code 4440, make: Guild 1.5AH L ion Cordless Drill Driver and it comes with two 18V batteries. It is very compact but also very powerful. (And no, I don't work for Argos - just very pleased with the product).
A photo of the camouflage tarpaulin which I use to cover my compost bins.
I’ve never done this before but I have just popped a soil thermometer (you can see it on the right hand side) into the top 4” of compost. The reading was 75° C and that is four days after I added a big dollop of lawn clippings mixed with straw in there.
Posts
At first I had to store the compost material on the site while I built the container around it. It dried out a bit while I was on holiday but eventually I was able to fork it all into the end bay, damp it down and contain it there by installing the dividing "walls" , each of which is in three sections. They were a lucky "on offer' find at my local builders merchant. They just needed a few cuts to make fit.
By sliding out the plywood dividing sections each bay can still be accessed from its neighbouring bay.
And now the front sliders are also installed (5 per bay) all 3 bays are ready for use.
The first two bays are not yet needed because all the material (from the previous photos) went into the far end bay a couple of days ago. It was then about 60% full. I dampened it down with water collected from around the garden and completely covered it with a thick polythene bag I had spare. Then something exciting occurred...
When I lifted the covering bag yesterday and plunged my hand into the the compost I was thrilled to find it was so hot the steam was coming off it. You could have coddled an egg in it..
I thought at first it may have been wishful thinking when it seemed as though the heap had also diminished in size, but when I checked its level it was clearly only half way up the container. From 60% full to 50% full in a couple of days seems to indicate some pretty fast composting is suddenly taking place. But then when you look at the material in the first few photos it has dramatically reduced from the pile stretched across the half built container a couple of weeks ago. It has also changed to a darker colour as decomposition occurs.
I feel at last all the hard work was worthwhile.
Now I have to return to my neglected patios and garden: weeding, making space, some very late planting (if I can get round to it before Autumn!) and then hopefully a good dose of admiring and self congratulation. As Geoff Hamilton used to say, after all the work a garden sometimes just needs a good looking at.
You’ll love that first batch of lovely rich black compost!
You've got a great site for it if it's generating so much heat. I don't have a suitable location for one now, for various reasons, and it annoys me greatly. Good luck with it - it'll bring enormous benefits to your garden.
Those screws do work well - providing you have a decent enough drill/driver. Mine is beyond hopeless now - batteries are dreadful on it.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Before that of course I needed the site and the proposed structure to be carefully measured and then plans neatly drawn. (yeah!) Mine were mostly scribbled on the backs of envelopes!
I’ve never done this before but I have just popped a soil thermometer (you can see it on the right hand side) into the top 4” of compost. The reading was 75° C and that is four days after I added a big dollop of lawn clippings mixed with straw in there.