Compost Beginner

Pray tell @Roy , which bit do you disagree with?

 

I make my compost in the large bags that builder's get their sand etc in.I put all my garden waste in them,anything that's green and soft,when I have filled one I place carpet on top to keep out rain.Then as I like to go fishing in summer I dig into my bags for a few worms,this in turn gets the compost opened up.I started doing this in April,I dig into them every week and now I have some lovely rich dark homemade compost.I also made a bin out of pallet's into this I place all my rough material and keep it covered with black sheeting.In spring I turn it out and riddle it ,putting anything rough back on the bottom of the new heap.

 

I do that too, except for the worms, I use Ragworm for fishing.

 

You can use Boking 14 which is sterile (doesn't produce seeds), and keep it in a massive sunken container to contain the roots. If you ever get sick of the stuff, there is always Round Up.

 

All my comfrey plants are Boking 14 and after digging most of them up and giving them a dose of Round Up they still come back. I think I will be doing the carpet method for a few years this winter. Early on in my gardens lifetime I couldn't work out where to put them and so kept removing them and moving them, leaving a small root piece behind.

 

Can anyone help?im strimming a large bank at my place tomorrow it's weeds can I put these in my compost or should I burn it.

 

Best not to put weed seeds (or roots of pernicious weeds) on the compost heap.

If yours has lots of seed heads then how about: make a separate stack, let it rot down a year, and then incorporate it under the bottom spit when you are digging. Weed seeds will then be buried 9" or so, but you'll have the benefit of the humus

 

How about dig up the small plants each time they appear and flog them on eBay? Mind you, they only sell for 50p each so might not be that worthwhile

 

My compost bin is 4 pallets nailed together and I've made a lid,should I put polythene on the sides as a lot recommend keeping heat in?

 

I wouldn't ... I'd leave the slatted sides so that the heap can get some air. However, Dalek bins have solid plastic sides of course

 

I've not heard of people using polythene to line there sides of the bin. I presume you must mean polystyrene instead? Some people use sheets of polystyrene to insulate their compost bins in the winter. I haven't tried it personally and just nailed some old carpet to the side instead.

But darlek bins are rubbish compared to home made compost bins in my experience. I'm assuming due to the lack of airflow they get because of the solid side.

 

Ah well, there we go then! Thanks JJ

 

I have thought about this but I think supply is bigger than demand on ebay. Once they and royal mail have had their share there's not much left for me.