i need basic advise on starting a compost heap?

Question

wich materials to use.

Answer 1

First and foremost, check the local by-laws on them in your area.
Are you going for open or closed designs?
Close to residences, or out in larger garden areas?
Basically, there are few natural requirements for them, as any plant matter will break down naturally into usable soils, given time, moisture, and natural bacteria. The bacteria need a percentage of nitrogen available for their reproduction, and I add some initially when starting off a compost heap, either chemically, or plants naturally high in it. There is no need to repeat this after it is all going.
Keep it damp if possible, for while in some desert areas, I found it didn't go so well when it all dried out (had to keep them in plastic to retain moisture, or they didn't cause the materials to transform to soil very well).
You can add shredded paper, straw, ash from fires, or many other similar things to it, but straight plant matter is best.

Answer 2

Start with a layer of soil (unless it's going to be directly onto earth), then just keep adding - any uncooked household veggies (potato peelings, fruit skins, egg shells etc.); grass cuttings and garden rubbish.

Don't put any 'woody' material which takes years to break down.
NO cooked foods or raw meats in, they will rot and attract vermin.

Add an occasional layer of soil, straw, horse manure if you can get it.
Shredded newspaper can also be added.

Just keep adding to it - as things start to decompose you may find steam coming from the pile - that's a good sign (the more heat it makes the quicker it rots down).

Worms are great for speeding up the process.
A healthy compost heap will have lots of worms.

In the second year, start a new compost heap by removing the top layer (unrotted) from the old pile.

You should have great 'friable' compost from your first pile.

*More power to your elbow for recycling your waste.
Your plants will love you for it and veggies will taste better.

Answer 3

i might propose not beginning a compost heap if all you have is a small balcony, because of the fact first of all, they scent particularly undesirable. My dad has had a compost heap for years, and it stinks to severe heaven. 2nd, the chemical ingredients in compost, if not saved right, would reason spontaneous combustion, which would be very risky on a small balcony. Sorry, it particularly is in simple terms not a sturdy theory.

Answer 4

Any vegetable matter is good for a compost heap. Add torn up cardboard/egg boxes every now and again to help the process. Do not add any meat or meat products.

Answer 5

I have never had any luck with the kinds that you purchase from garden stores,they seem to take longer to decompose than just putting the pile directly on the ground.Start by making a pile on the ground with leaves and lawn clippings,make a hole in the middle of the pile and keep putting in vegetable scraps,cover with more clippings with each addition.I have found that my compose piles left open to the elements,watered frequently and flipped over occasionally with a pitch fork or shovel works the best.I do not add anything additional to break it down.

Answer 6

Have you been in contact with your local council? They often run schemes for new composters with loads of information and a compost bin.

Answer 7

Ask you local council...ours will sell you one for a fiver...retail £40
It comes with instructions too.

Answer 8

shredded news paper, egg shells coffee grounds, old veggies, grass clippings,dog poop. always have leaves ina separate pile

Answer 9

http://generous.org.uk/actions/planetary/20/compost-your-leftovers

Try this link