[sunshineband]

We unloaded our three compost bins this week. They have been filled randomly since February, with shredded paper, dead leaves, grass clippings and the occasional apple core. No system, just chuck it in.

I decided that it all needed a sort out so unloaded all three, refilling one with all the as-yet unrotted material, gave it a good soak and covered it up for the winter. The three seven year old girls whose turn it was to help in the garden during their lunchbreak had the time of their lives, especially when we found some huge beetle larvae in one!!!

The stuff in the bottom third of each bin was just glorious and there is plenty to feed four of the raised beds now, and the others later when they are harvested.

And all for nothing  


PS Am now filling one bin at a time though as it  is much more sensible  

[Jonajo]

wonderful. Especially as it costs nothing

that has reminded me to turn my compost bin.

[strangerachael]

So satisfying isn't it    my fave job 

[Kate and her Ducks]

One of my favourite jobs too. All that free compost from waste and the duck bedding. The ducks love it to as it is full of worms and keeps them happy for hours gobbling them up and converting them into eggs. Ultimate recycling!

[compostqueen]

I turned out the bottom half of one of my daleks this weekend at the plot. It was really well cooked as I'd left it for over a year, as I'd secured the bin hatch with string as it kept falling off, then couldn't be bothered to untie it to check it.  Lovely stuff and I've put it on a really poor soil patch

[Snap Dragon]

I've got a dalek at home and a pallet compost heap at the plot.

The trouble with the dalek is I can't get any compost out through the little opening at the bottom. I get a spade in but can't get it out from the sides.... it's probably a little wetter than it should be! ... It's in the corner in a gravelled area so I'm not too keen on tipping it over but short of getting down on my hands an knees and digging it out bit by bit with a hand trowel I think tipping it is the only option! 

The compost has been there for about 2 years and I'm still adding to the top!

[compostqueen]

I hoik mine out with a hand tool, a garden fork or trowel would do. I do get on my hands and knees to do it    You can wait til the whole lot is cooked and then upend the lot 

[Snap Dragon]

Thanks CQ

Might have to do a bit of hoiking this week then.... the borders could really do with the compost! Will have to clear some gravel or my knees will be shot to pieces!

I might have to invest in a 2nd bin if I can find the room for one

I though this one in Argos might make it easier to get the contents out!

[strangerachael]

I never even attempt to get it out of the silly little door    I always just lift the whole thing off and I'm left with a nice big Christmas pudding  sometimes you have to wiggle a fork down the sides to loosen it before it will come off though.

[johnfh]

I bought an Argos bin recently like the one pictured above and think it is quite good for the price but a little flimsy.  Firstly it needs to be on a level surface such as paving slabs for the plastic clips to operate effectively.  Mine is just on grass and so I put a right angle metal bracket on each top corner and drilled the plastic as needed and put small nuts and bolts through.  This seems to work well and makes the whole thing much more robust.

I also have regulation type tapered round bin with a lid and find it much easier to ease the whole cover off the contents when I want to remix or empty it (after several years of struggling to shovel it labouriously out of the little flap at the bottom).

[Snap Dragon]

I've just read the reviews for the Argos composter and don't think I'll bother.... it would be sitting on earth and I don'tthink it would stand up to the job!

[sunshineband]

Lucky I have space for my three big wooden bins 

The old leaves from last autumn that I put in bacl bags has now turned inti delicious black compost, just right for feeding next year's spuds  and enriching the pumkin bed 

[HilaryG]

I have a huge  old feather floor cushion that I was going to throw out, but could I put the feathers on the compost heap

[strangerachael]

could I put the feathers on the compost heap

definitely, but if it's really big I would make sure you mix them in well, or add them a few at a time.

[noshed]

"I love the smell of compost in the morning, it reminds me of victory" Or something like that