Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: kentishgal on March 03, 2012, 14:45

Title: Should I compost?
Post by: kentishgal on March 03, 2012, 14:45

Im just starting to get my garden organized and will be growing some food (hopefully!) this year. However I have a teeny garden, just 10ft x 10ft dirt and 10ft x 10ft patio. My plan is to have 4 raised beds on the dirt so I can rotate crops and then use the patio for greenhouse, small storage shed, container plants and seating.
It would be great if I could produce my own compost, esp as I have no transport or even direct access to the garden for supplies however Im wondering how smelly a compost heap is??
Obviously I wont be able to site it far away as there is no room. So......any suggestions/advice???

Title: Re: Should I compost?
Post by: Fisherman on March 03, 2012, 15:30

Yes most definitely you should compost. A plastic Dalek compost bin sounds ideal for you. They can usually be bought via your local council. Some councils supply the first one free of charge. Use it for your garden waste, vegetable peelings etc. Looked after correctly it wont smell at all.

Title: Re: Should I compost?
Post by: yorkiegal on March 03, 2012, 17:46

definitely have a look at your council website sooner rather than later. I've just bought two large Daleks from mine for £18 in total, but their offer runs out at the end of the month. I also got two compost caddy's for the kitchen for a fiver each.

Title: Re: Should I compost?
Post by: mattwragg94 on March 03, 2012, 17:53

i dont thinks theres any eason why you shouldn't! you get free compost from your waste, its good for the environment, as you reduce the amount going to landfill. if youve got room for one - get one!

compost heaps dont smell that bad - just keep them at the bottom of he garden.

Title: Re: Should I compost?
Post by: Trillium on March 03, 2012, 20:51

And never add any form of meat or dairy product to them, nor cat or dog waste. Done correctly, compost should have a sweet earthy smell at all times.

Title: Re: Should I compost?
Post by: snowdrops on March 03, 2012, 21:48

There are some compost bins that look like bee hives,so a bit more attractive if it is going to be very visible,or you could look at a wormery. have a look here although very pricey just to give you an idea
http://www.spottygreenfrog.co.uk/Beehive-Worm-Composter/p--918/?source=froogle&gclid=CJXL_Nvay64CFU8MfAodVR87_g

Title: Re: Should I compost?
Post by: kentishgal on March 04, 2012, 05:37

Thanks! great advice :). Ive been googling and found a beehive type composter for less then a fifth of the price of the posh one so think I might have to invest.
If I had a secluded corner I would def go for the dalek style ones but as my garden is so small everything really has to be attractive to look at as well as functional.
(wow, do I wish I had a bigger garden!! ::) Id love room for a lawn, veggie patch, orchard and chickens...) :blush:

Title: Re: Should I compost?
Post by: Rangerkris on March 04, 2012, 05:57

If your local i have a spare dalek on the plot if you want to swap a packet of seeds for it. I have just built pallet composters