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Talkback: How to make compost

jazcazjazcaz Posts: 1
in Talkback
i am trying to decide whether its better to cover or not to cover my compost bin....i have two, the covered one dries out very quickly as it gets hot and i have to keep watering it...whereas, the other rots down slower but is cooler as it is not covered...any suggestions please
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Posts

  • nanatigtignanatigtig Posts: 1
    Is 2ft sq to small for a compost bin? I have a very small garden, but have too much kitchen waste for my wormery.
  • BillinDetroitBillinDetroit Posts: 5
    @sheilac: The two do not contradict, but complement each other. Once layered, some of the material is on the inside where it will get quite hot ... 170 F / 75 C for a long time. This will kill off both weed seeds and pathogens.

    But the outside edges will barely get warm. Turning the mix evens out this process.

    Oh, don't bother adding soil to the mix ... it only makes it heavy while adding no benefit at all. There is no need for any form of inoculation.
  • fduquesnefduquesne Posts: 1
    I cover my compost with an old carpet but I'm dismayed by the near immediate appearance of woodlice - and the large quantity that starts to thrive under the warm, dark and wet cover! How to avoid?
  • BillinDetroitBillinDetroit Posts: 5
    @jazcaz: make your piles 1 cubic meter (1x1x1) or slightly larger. At this size they are self-insulating. Adding water is a part of above ground composting and should be done every time the pile is turned or dry material is added. The faster method is the better one, as it is doing a better job of sterilizing the lot.
  • sheilacsheilac Posts: 2
    If the heap has to be layered as it is built, then surely mixing it is contradictory?
  • celosiacelosia Posts: 1
    I shred all documents with address details on for identity theft and I use the shredded paper like straw as a source to layer - add air in between grass cuttings particularly and stops veg waste getting too wet and cold
  • BillinDetroitBillinDetroit Posts: 5
    @ nanatigtig
    Yes, 2ft sq IS too small for this type of composting ... it will not have sufficient mass to hold its own heat which, if done properly, should exceed 160 deg. F. (~70-76 C) for a prolonged period.

    If all you have is a small amount of extra scrap, dig a hole a foot or more deep in the garden, fill it with scraps. and then backfill it with dirt. The naturally occurring worms and beetles and so on will take things from there.
  • johnds97johnds97 Posts: 1
    very interesting
  • NaomiThornleyNaomiThornley Posts: 1
    I bought a 2nd compost bin because the compost in the 1st wasn't rotting. It was either unrotted or hard dark lumps with white areas. I continued to add my kitchen waste and ensured I had layers of cardboard but after several months the compost is no better. I put in grass cuttings, vegetable peelings, gone off fruit, tea bags, coffee grounds and egg shells as well as the cardboard. Any advice anyone?
  • erin87erin87 Posts: 2
    Just started my compost bin; home-made from a big 'ol barrel too, talk about recycling!, and am now hoping all will go well and leave me lovely fertile compost for next spring.
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