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DownWithFactoryFarming
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 33
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 Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 1:01 pm Post subject: composting |
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(sorry for all the questions!)
I've just started an attempt to make my own compost, this is what I've done so far:
put grass clippings, both fresh, and some that was already decomposing, in a plastic bin, added some water and worms.
Do I need to do anything else? (obviously I will be adding kitchen scraps, teabags, egg shells, etc.) |
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NannyP
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 10703
Location: 86310 Nr St Savin
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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I have heard that cardboard, torn up is an important constituent of compost. 
I would imagine that this site may have answers to many of your questions http://www.downsizer.net/
Hope this helps |
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thewinkingtiger
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 936
Location: East Yorkshire, UK
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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Don't forget to add everything that you clean out of your coop!!!
Chicken poop and sawdust are great additions to your compost!!
Aswell as shredded paper, & limited amount of leaves!
You ideally need a good mixture of wet and dry stuff.
And with regards kitchen scraps - if a vegetarian would eat it - it is suitable!! (Including egg shells!)
And a good mix of the layers every once in a while!
Hope that helps
Debs |
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Aussie Chick
Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Posts: 2737
Location: Milton Keynes/ Brisbane
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| Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:53 am Post subject: |
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| thewinkingtiger wrote: |
And with regards kitchen scraps - if a vegetarian would eat it - it is suitable!! (Including egg shells!)
And a good mix of the layers every once in a while!
Hope that helps
Debs |
Gosh Debs 2 i always knew you Vegies were a bit weird but eating egg shells and layers, isn't that taking it a bit far?? |
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thewinkingtiger
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 936
Location: East Yorkshire, UK
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| Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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ROFLMAO!!! It keeps my red bits nice and bright!!!
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Aussie Chick
Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Posts: 2737
Location: Milton Keynes/ Brisbane
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| Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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Attila The Hen
Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 389
Location: Shetland
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| Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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| thewinkingtiger wrote: | Don't forget to add everything that you clean out of your coop!!!
Chicken poop and sawdust are great additions to your compost!!
Aswell as shredded paper, & limited amount of leaves!
You ideally need a good mixture of wet and dry stuff.
And with regards kitchen scraps - if a vegetarian would eat it - it is suitable!! (Including egg shells!)
And a good mix of the layers every once in a while!
Hope that helps
Debs |
Further to the chicken poop - I understand that it's a good idea to add wood ash (or peat ash for those of us who cast peats in the Northern and Western Isles!) as this helps to neutralise the natural acidity of the chicken poop.
Attila |
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mojo
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 9851
Location: GLENAY north deux sevre FRANCE
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| Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:21 am Post subject: hi |
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| either cover your bin or make drainage holes or it will all go soggy..........if poss get several bins and fill them in turn and use them in same order but unlike a compost heap dont forget they dont drain so make holes..................mojo |
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Bendix01
Joined: 12 Sep 2005
Posts: 214
Location: Northern Soul, Southern Heart - Surrey
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| Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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It is important to get air pockets in the compost as these become heat pockets which attract the right bugs etc and also aid breakdown of matter. I do this by scrunching up newspaper every few weeks and adding a ball or two.
Cardboard is good for reducing moisture content as you dont want 'wet compost'.
Also every year or two (3 in my case) it is good to empty the whole lot out mix it up and bung it back in. This will provide an even all round texture. Afterwards let the chickens run round the area you turn it out on and they can eat all the homeless bugs left out.
Oh yeh if adding tea bags tear them first or they will take years to break down as the bag is quite tough. Sticks etc can be put in also but will need chipping to 1 - 2 inch lengths. |
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andym01480
Joined: 29 Aug 2005
Posts: 131
Location: King's Lynn
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| Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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Good tip on tea bags. I was getting fed up with having unrotted tea bags between my plants!
I put shredded paper from home and office in my compost bin to break up the layers, seems to work well.
But it sounds like your compost is taking a little long if you only tip it out every year or two! Surely you mean twice a year?
I bought a black composting bin for a £5 from our local tip - our local council likes us to be eco-friendly nowadays. And I get good compost every 6 months. |
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Bendix01
Joined: 12 Sep 2005
Posts: 214
Location: Northern Soul, Southern Heart - Surrey
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:44 am Post subject: |
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| andym01480 wrote: |
But it sounds like your compost is taking a little long if you only tip it out every year or two! Surely you mean twice a year?
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I am lazy with it I must confess. And your right it does take a lot longer.
Work at home and hadnt thought of paper from the shredder. Will start that. We also got our stuff cheap from the council, they recycle most things here, which is good. |
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