You can also do them in black bin bags with some holes in them for drainage. I've done that when I've run out of room in the proper enclosure I had. I've also done them in builders' bags, as @fidgetbones says. Got some just now. They do need enough moisture, however you do it though, so the plastic bin will be less successful unless you can open it up and turn it regularly.
Thanks.
I can find 3 or 4 builders' bags, and find something greener to mix eg late hedge clippings or get some laves off the tree.
The plastic one is for compost, which I will probably try.
“Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
It should be said that, if you're doing any autumn digging, you can always put any leaves in as you do it. They'll always be moist and our old friends the worms will do their job for you much quicker.
Slightly different question - how quickly will leafmould reduce in volume and does it lose or gain weight? If this gets missed I'll do a new thread.
I'll be using three or four dumpy bags I hope. Am I correct that:
- Short of having a high end Russian weightlifter around, moving it later is very very difficult. The only realistic way to move a dumpy bag with rotted leafmould it (absent a forklift or small crane) is a shovel and wheelbarrow to make the bag lighter. - That it will reduce down significantly within say 3 months, and there is an opportunity to put more on top, assuming leaves are available.
So put dumpy bags where they will be staying, and probably do not do another one on top :-) .
Thanks
Ferdinand
“Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
My experience of wet leaves in a black dalek bin composter is that they shrink down to about 60% volume. The bins are filled in October and November and start to compact by late winter by which time there are definitely no leaves left to top up.
The bins are emptied out about now and by and large the decomposed matter is fit to be added on bare soil as a conditioner. If some leaves have to rot down more they go back in the bins and this season’s leaves are added on top.
My experience of wet leaves in a black dalek bin composter is that they shrink down to about 60% volume. The bins are filled in October and November and start to compact by late winter by which time there are definitely no leaves left to top up.
The bins are emptied out about now and by and large the decomposed matter is fit to be added on bare soil as a conditioner. If some leaves have to rot down more they go back in the bins and this season’s leaves are added on top.
So a good use of this for bed improvement is to put to the leafmould close to the proposed use in a dumpy bag if suitable. As it looks like a sod to move much of it very far.
For example I have a raised bed 1.2m x 3.6m that needs renovating and the non-clumping bamboo removing that mum was trying to turn into a block. The other part is mint which also need to go or at least be reduced to less than 20 sqft. So
1 - Weedkill with glyphosate (done a few weeks ago, repeated the other day). 2 - Dumpy sack of leadmould on part of it. 3 - Work through first half to make clear it in spring. Use part leafmould mixed with compost and others to build level and improve. Nice thing is that the leadmould will wait until I am ready and will just improve. 4 - Enjoy new veg bed.
Hmmm.
Ferdinand
“Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
Posts
Thanks.
I can find 3 or 4 builders' bags, and find something greener to mix eg late hedge clippings or get some laves off the tree.
The plastic one is for compost, which I will probably try.
I'll be using three or four dumpy bags I hope. Am I correct that:
- Short of having a high end Russian weightlifter around, moving it later is very very difficult. The only realistic way to move a dumpy bag with rotted leafmould it (absent a forklift or small crane) is a shovel and wheelbarrow to make the bag lighter.
- That it will reduce down significantly within say 3 months, and there is an opportunity to put more on top, assuming leaves are available.
So put dumpy bags where they will be staying, and probably do not do another one on top :-) .
Thanks
Ferdinand
For example I have a raised bed 1.2m x 3.6m that needs renovating and the non-clumping bamboo removing that mum was trying to turn into a block. The other part is mint which also need to go or at least be reduced to less than 20 sqft. So
1 - Weedkill with glyphosate (done a few weeks ago, repeated the other day).
2 - Dumpy sack of leadmould on part of it.
3 - Work through first half to make clear it in spring. Use part leafmould mixed with compost and others to build level and improve. Nice thing is that the leadmould will wait until I am ready and will just improve.
4 - Enjoy new veg bed.
Hmmm.
Ferdinand