That youtube clip is very interesting, I love the fact that he is so passionate about composting; I would only query the names that he has given to the composting processes. What he initially talks about: shredded tree leaves, is a great way to speed up making 'leaf mould', which would otherwise take about 2 years in the chicken wire enclosure which I think he mentions. But he calls it 'compost'. What is commonly known as compost can be made in 5 or 6 months easily. But it is, of course, not just chucking kitchen waste into a bin, it is a proper, frequently turned mix of brown material and green, whether this is from the kitchen, flower or veg bed is not an issue.
The planet needs to compost, not incinerate or landfill. Lets get on with it; not grandstand about different processes.
tomorrow I will add some more leafs before I add my compost mix I've been collecting since July/August after I have the go-ahead for the forum I have two old used grow bags with some weeds in of which I shall remove I'm I on the right track ???????
do you think I should go to the fishing shop and buy some worms for my compost bin
I'm no expert on this but I really don't think you should buy worms for your bin (which is really lovely btw). The process of normal composting, as I understand it, creates a lot of heat in the initial stages and that would either drive off or kill worms. After the compost has cooled down and is in its latter stages of decomposition worms would be safe to be added to help the final process. I have a wormery and also normal composting bins and there are definite advantages to having both but they are separate things with different processes going on inside. I have been known, however, to move a handful of worms out of the wormery to 'finish-off' nearly ready 'cooked' compost - but that's more to do with the fact I always have a surplus of rapidly breeding worms and need somewhere to put them before the brother-in-law decides to take them fishing. They aren't 'garden' worms, so can't be simply released into soil. I seem to recall it's because they don't burrow deeply like earthworms but I may be mistaken.
For my compost bin i do 75% green/nitrogen - 25 % brown/carbon, its just a guide line really i add other stuff like bananas for potassium - kitchen waste etc. If it stating to get smelly you got to much Green, it wants to be smell earthy . Keep it well aerated by turning it, or into one compost bin into the other easiest way. Dont let it get to wet it will slow the process down, i use a carpet for the top
I nearly fill one of my compost bins about 3/4 weeks ago with loads of bedding plants, i put them right at the bottom of the bin when i was turning it. i thought it would take ages to break down, turned the compost bin yesterday and it all broke down already which surprised me a bit. I spent £40-50 last year on compost so i can make a nice saving next season hopefully unless i go mad and want to grow more plant
No perennial weeds / weeds with seeds on. Annual weeds a fine as long they not seeding
Might be best to put leaves in a separate pile its up to you. they can take a while to break down. Monty puts leaves in a bin bag - fills with water - makes holes in the bottom then put them to the side for a year. I suppose it depends on the quantity of leaves you are adding what will determine how fast they will compost.
Be careful you don't put to much grass cutting in, it can get quite compact and stops air flow and can dominate a bin and smell.
Clueless, Please don't leave this material in layers, it is the MIX that works the MAGIC! Respectfully to the people who have written about this, you do not need to add worms. A Wormery is a completely different, and very wonderful, method for making compost. I looked after the Council Wormery as part of my Compost Master duties and I really missed the worms when they went.
Posts
Hi everyone
I'm a newbie to this forum. Really enjoyed reading the above comments on compost and can see what I need to do to create a fab compost!
Bye the way Clueless- compost bin looks great.
Well thank you Weyplotter and welcome
I hope to start filling it Monday as I'm away this weekend 70 birthday party to go to and a nice walk in the forest with my dogs on Sunday.
Sunday afternoon is xmas tree and decks to put up
Sounds like fun Clueless-enjoy!
well I just watched this and while it's about composting it's also quite funny have a look
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9OhxKlrWwc
James
Very good Clueless. And very true.
That youtube clip is very interesting, I love the fact that he is so passionate about composting; I would only query the names that he has given to the composting processes. What he initially talks about: shredded tree leaves, is a great way to speed up making 'leaf mould', which would otherwise take about 2 years in the chicken wire enclosure which I think he mentions. But he calls it 'compost'. What is commonly known as compost can be made in 5 or 6 months easily. But it is, of course, not just chucking kitchen waste into a bin, it is a proper, frequently turned mix of brown material and green, whether this is from the kitchen, flower or veg bed is not an issue.
The planet needs to compost, not incinerate or landfill. Lets get on with it; not grandstand about different processes.
OK today I started my composting
layer of cardboard
layer of leafs
a finally a layer of horse muck.
tomorrow I will add some more leafs before I add my compost mix I've been collecting since July/August after I have the go-ahead for the forum I have two old used grow bags with some weeds in of which I shall remove I'm I on the right track ???????
do you think I should go to the fishing shop and buy some worms for my compost bin
O'yes and a bucket of wee wee
James
I'm no expert on this but I really don't think you should buy worms for your bin (which is really lovely btw). The process of normal composting, as I understand it, creates a lot of heat in the initial stages and that would either drive off or kill worms. After the compost has cooled down and is in its latter stages of decomposition worms would be safe to be added to help the final process. I have a wormery and also normal composting bins and there are definite advantages to having both but they are separate things with different processes going on inside. I have been known, however, to move a handful of worms out of the wormery to 'finish-off' nearly ready 'cooked' compost - but that's more to do with the fact I always have a surplus of rapidly breeding worms and need somewhere to put them before the brother-in-law decides to take them fishing. They aren't 'garden' worms, so can't be simply released into soil. I seem to recall it's because they don't burrow deeply like earthworms but I may be mistaken.
For my compost bin i do 75% green/nitrogen - 25 % brown/carbon, its just a guide line really i add other stuff like bananas for potassium - kitchen waste etc. If it stating to get smelly you got to much Green, it wants to be smell earthy . Keep it well aerated by turning it, or into one compost bin into the other easiest way. Dont let it get to wet it will slow the process down, i use a carpet for the top
I nearly fill one of my compost bins about 3/4 weeks ago with loads of bedding plants, i put them right at the bottom of the bin when i was turning it. i thought it would take ages to break down, turned the compost bin yesterday and it all broke down already which surprised me a bit. I spent £40-50 last year on compost so i can make a nice saving next season hopefully
unless i go mad and want to grow more plant 
No perennial weeds / weeds with seeds on. Annual weeds a fine as long they not seeding
Might be best to put leaves in a separate pile its up to you. they can take a while to break down. Monty puts leaves in a bin bag - fills with water - makes holes in the bottom then put them to the side for a year. I suppose it depends on the quantity of leaves you are adding what will determine how fast they will compost.
Be careful you don't put to much grass cutting in, it can get quite compact and stops air flow and can dominate a bin and smell.
Clueless, Please don't leave this material in layers, it is the MIX that works the MAGIC!
Respectfully to the people who have written about this, you do not need to add worms. A Wormery is a completely different, and very wonderful, method for making compost. I looked after the Council Wormery as part of my Compost Master duties and I really missed the worms when they went.