mbwest
On The Way Up
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 87
Location: Maida Vale, Central London, England
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:51 pm Post subject: Compost bins. |
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Compost bins.
I was looking for a compost bin mainly so I have somewhere to throw all my left-over bits and pieces and to possible save myself a few £ on future compost however I have seen a few sites dedicated to 'making compost' and the 'layers' you should put in. I wanted to simply use it as a 'eco-friendly bin' if you know what I mean. Would that work? (i know there are certain things you cant put in it).
Thanks again guys/girls
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Gizmo
Animal Magnet
Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 581
Location: Fl. (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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Good ? glad someone posted this. I just stared one and I like more info on it also. I stared with a large potting pot and its to small now and beginning to smell. Don't know what to do about it.
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
 Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 10348
Location: Scotland (Map)
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Gizmo
Animal Magnet
Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 581
Location: Fl. (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you. Eileen
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G!zMo
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Hank
On The Way Up
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Posts: 188
Location: Wisconsin (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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No need to buy one of those expensive store models. The simplest way is to get some 3 or 4 foot wire fencing, bend it into a circle, and fill. Don't worry too much about "layering" and "proper" things to put into it. The key is to turn it over often. Yes, more work, but it's worth it. Simply unloop the wire bin, set it up again right next to where it was, then fork the compost back into the bin. I do this twice a year if I'm feeling ambitious.
Now, the way I do it is a bit more elaborate, but I'm kinda goofy like that. I built a bin that is 4' tall, 6' wide, and 3' front to rear. It's made from lumber scraps, wire fencing and treated lattice wood for the front side to make it look perty. It has two areas in it for depositing my waste. When one side is full of compost, I shovel it over to the other side. After a year I have to best weed free composted soil that you can find. All from rotted weeds and clippings and leaves.
The smaller the pieces of yard waste, the faster they compost. I recommend not putting masses of iris leaves in all at once, as it forms a carpet that breaks down slowly. And keep meat scraps out of there, as it attracks skunks and other unfriendlies.
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Gizmo
Animal Magnet
Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 581
Location: Fl. (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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I looked at the sites. One ? is coffee grounds ok. they said tea bags.
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G!zMo
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Hank
On The Way Up
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Posts: 188
Location: Wisconsin (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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Coffee grounds, coffee filters, shredded newspaper...all good. If it can decompose, dump it in. I shred and compost my junk mail.
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Polly
Thumb Gardener
Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Posts: 2235
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:46 pm Post subject: |
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I have found that with my covered compost bins made of black plastic that the most important thing is to remember to add lots of water to it since the rain does not get into it.
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thesecretgarden
Just Arrived
Joined: 30 Jun 2006
Posts: 48
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:02 am Post subject: |
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I like your answer Hank. My compost sounds a lot like yours except I don't have the nice fence in front and I am always going to do something like that. Years ago I bought one of those expensive tumblers that sit up on a metal leg base and you fill it and then turn it. I never got anything to work right in there and it stunk so bad. I finally gave it away and the person I gave it to couldn't get it to work either and they gave it away. LOL
Yeah, just toss it in a pile on the ground. I like that way better... 
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"To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves."
MOHANDAS K. GANDHI
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flowie
On The Way Up
Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 161
Location: Melville, NY (Map)
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| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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i actually took an old garbage pail, cut the bottom off and burried it and throw the stuff in. its been working good so far and i got a whole bunch of rotted stuff for my garden  .... i throw everything in there. grass clipping, fruit and veggie scraps, tea bags and coffee grinds, even the old banana leaves from my plants that break and turn brown. i water and turn every week.
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Flowie
"My secret garden is not so secret anymore" -Depeche Mode
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