Compost Is A Lovely Thing

Discussion in 'Fruit and Veg Gardening' started by Sjoerd, Mar 19, 2023.

  1. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2006
    Messages:
    21,142
    Likes Received:
    21,426
    After a check in the Dalek, we determined that it could be emptied.
    6F01DC3E-B4A3-42EB-A638-D2FC6CCBCEF1.jpeg

    Yep, there it stands—filled to the gunnels, waiting. You can see a little pile where a rat had dug some compost out to make room for a nest. That was scraped-up with a spade and bagged before beginning.

    We removed the the “door” and began digging out the black gold.
    7E518794-4F1B-49F4-8526-43B4424501FA.jpeg

    We began emptying the compost bin into large trugs, but quickly just switched and shovelled the compost directly into tough plastic bags.
    5B2D81C7-A711-4338-B6F3-C2F7ADD77986.jpeg

    We took the sacks two by two to where we would stall them until a little later when we will spread the contents over the veggie plots. Here is the inside of the empty bin. Doesn’t that look nice and clean.
    6F2FB57A-02AE-41B4-A321-1C550DE9698E.jpeg

    C8ABC627-4A88-4A5C-86B6-4C8EE3FD718C.jpeg

    The stockpile— yes sir, yes sir, nine bags full.
    B4F4151F-47A1-4085-B1AE-1ED2D4B240CA.jpeg

    Another little job done and dusted.
     
    Pacnorwest, eileen, Logan and 2 others like this.
  2. Loading...


  3. Melody Mc.

    Melody Mc. Young Pine

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2022
    Messages:
    2,309
    Likes Received:
    6,001
    Location:
    Brisith Columbia, Canada
    Wow! Nine bags! Is the Dalek quite large? That is very rewarding. :)
     
    eileen and Logan like this.
  4. Daniel W

    Daniel W Hardy Maple

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2021
    Messages:
    2,929
    Likes Received:
    9,200
    Location:
    Southwest Washington State USA
    Nice!

    Sjoerd, am I right, guessing that you don't worry about segregating species? So the compost is from all kinds of plants, and is used for all kinds of plants? Doesn't matter?

    That would make it easier. I wind up using my weed and vegetable compost, for flower beds.
     
    eileen, Logan and Melody Mc. like this.
  5. KK Ng

    KK Ng Hardy Maple

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2009
    Messages:
    4,134
    Likes Received:
    2,503
    Location:
    Malacca, Malaysia.
    Nice black gold, is nine bags enough for you requirement?
     



    Advertisement
  6. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2007
    Messages:
    12,067
    Likes Received:
    3,504
    Location:
    Western Norway
    Will you look at that! What a lovely stack of nourishment for your lottie. Our compost bins were dismantled two years ago. We were going to move them, then circumstance stopped my plans. Maybe this year. I miss the smell of compost in spring.
     
  7. Logan

    Logan Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2018
    Messages:
    6,471
    Likes Received:
    10,575
    Location:
    Redditch Worcestershire UK
    It's surprising how much you can get out of one of those Dalek compost bins, I've got 3 but a bit different from yours Sjoerd.
     
    Pacnorwest, Melody Mc. and eileen like this.
  8. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2006
    Messages:
    21,142
    Likes Received:
    21,426
    Mel— Large? Not really very large. It comes up to just under my waist. It is indeed rewarding. I have another compost bin that I’m going to fix-up later on this spring. It still needs to compost further.

    Cheers Daniel— You are 100% spot-on that I do not segregate species. Having said that, I never put in the roots bindweed, ground elder or mare’s tail…nor the seed heads of some plants.

    I use this self-made compost exclusively on the veggie quadrants.

    KK— the one bin full would probably be enough for my veggie needs; however, I have a second bin over behind the garden house, and that together with the nine bags will be sufficient.

    Thanks Droopske — I hope you can get your compost thing set up again.

    Loggie— It is indeed surprising how much compost can be made in those things. What do your compost bins look like? My one came from GB and I suspected that there would have been this sort all over the countries there. Could you post a piccy of yours?
     
  9. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2006
    Messages:
    18,468
    Likes Received:
    5,585
    Location:
    Southern Ontario zone 5b
    Amazing! You've got me thinking now, how my 2 bins should be ready this spring!
     
  10. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2005
    Messages:
    29,088
    Likes Received:
    6,281
    Location:
    Scotland
    I love our Dalek and couldn't be without it now. It's THE best thing I've ever bought and even after years of use it still does its job. :)
     
  11. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2006
    Messages:
    21,142
    Likes Received:
    21,426
    Netty— I’ll bet they will be ready. It is such a good feeling to see and smell that self-made compost.

    Eileen—I actually owe you the biggest thanks. Without you I would not have that wonderful but of kit. I cannot do without it either. It is surprising how durable that thing is. Thanks again.
     
  12. Logan

    Logan Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2018
    Messages:
    6,471
    Likes Received:
    10,575
    Location:
    Redditch Worcestershire UK
    Sjoerd, these are mine, had to take this from the conservatory because it's raining. Got 3 had them from the council they were selling them for £5.00 each including postage. Have to push up the door and then out, it's not very easy to get the compost out.
    IMG_20230320_180435_(864_x_1536_pixel).jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2023
    Sjoerd, Pacnorwest and eileen like this.
  13. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2006
    Messages:
    21,142
    Likes Received:
    21,426
    Those look smart, Loggie. Thank you for showing them. What a good action from the Council. The price was good wasn’t it.
    I see what you mean about getting the compost out. I can get my compost fairly easily out. The cover slides right off, but of course I have to kneel and take it out a shovel full at the time. The bottom of the compost at this time of year is very compact and is a wee bit awkward to get out. Awkward, but in the end I do get it out.
     
    Pacnorwest and eileen like this.
  14. Logan

    Logan Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2018
    Messages:
    6,471
    Likes Received:
    10,575
    Location:
    Redditch Worcestershire UK
    Thanks Sjoerd, it's the same with mine i get a long handle fork and twist it to loosen it and then get it out with a trowel and put it in a old washing up bowl. It's a long time now but the council was trying to get people to do that and reduce waste, i don't think that they do it now. Yes it was a good price.
     
    Pacnorwest, Sjoerd and eileen like this.

Share This Page