I doubt they'd move in really @Lizzie27, but the duvet would provide good insulation as long as it was kept dry. We should be using these things to the best of our ability before consigning them to landfill, so I think it's a good idea. Try it and report back please.
I keep an old duvet to pad my car boot when I take my lawn mowers in for repair or service. It should last me out doing this.
Would it be worth trying to cover the duvet with plastic stapled to it to waterproof it or is that just a daft idea
The fleece and bubble wrap were effective @Lizzie27 so the duvet should be too -- it's all about retaining the heat after all. I think if you can do a good job of covering it with plastic, either as Dove suggested (rather like a hot water cylinder jacket, in sections, tied around) or as a single wraparound or cover, it could make a difference before the weather turns permanently cold and the bin contents lose the heat generated by the composting process. Black plastic would be my choice, especially if it gets the sun on it, to absorb any heat better. Think of it as like making a big tea cosy!
Mike going back in the thread you mentioned using wood shavings/saw dust (I think it was you), do you layer it or put it all on at once? I think I know the answer but don't want to get it wrong.
Depends on the amount @Uff. Like any other browns, you can layer with greens. If there's only a small amount, just chuck 'em in. It all breaks down over time
Many [probably most] stables use shavings now instead of straw, for various reasons which I won't bore anyone with. Some people think it [the eventual manure produced] doesn't work as well for garden use, but it does. I've used it frequently, and can get as much as I want, if needed, from where I worked. It's particularly useful for just putting on bare ground, but fine if put in a compost bin/heap. Used as a mulch [well rotted of course] it's excellent, provided the people doing the mucking out know what they're doing and it isn't more shavings than sh*t
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
A friend has shavings/dust in the byre, just accumulation of log splitting, and I offered to sweep it up if I could have it for the compost heap. I'm thinking there will be about 3 or 4 composts bags of it. I assumed it wouldn't be a good idea to put it all on at once but at this end of the season there won't be much garden waste now. Still have some leaves left to do something with though.
Leaves break down by a different process from general compost material. Bags with holes, or a purpose made simple bin with chicken wire is the best method for them. They need to be kept moist, so the wire cages are fine in wet areas, but the bags will probably be better in dry ones. I've used both, and find the bags are actually better - ie a bit quicker. You can add them to compost, but it's better if they're chopped/shredded first. The speed at which they break down also depends on the type
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Okey doke, got all that thank you. I do keep most of the beech leaves in a separate enclosure. I'll just keep the shavings/dust bagged until needed then and then layer them.
I was going to suggest you keep the shavings aside @Uff then you can add them next season when there will be plenty of green to mix them in with. It's really useful material to have when there's grass going in.
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I keep an old duvet to pad my car boot when I take my lawn mowers in for repair or service. It should last me out doing this.
Many [probably most] stables use shavings now instead of straw, for various reasons which I won't bore anyone with. Some people think it [the eventual manure produced] doesn't work as well for garden use, but it does. I've used it frequently, and can get as much as I want, if needed, from where I worked. It's particularly useful for just putting on bare ground, but fine if put in a compost bin/heap. Used as a mulch [well rotted of course] it's excellent, provided the people doing the mucking out know what they're doing and it isn't more shavings than sh*t
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You can add them to compost, but it's better if they're chopped/shredded first. The speed at which they break down also depends on the type
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Get some soup on the go - plenty of peelings
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...