whats the best way to make & look after a compost heap, what exactly do you put on it & what size should it be

Answer 1

It is probably best to get a compost container. That way it will compost quicker because of the heat inside. You can compost veggie scraps, leaves, grass clippings, shredded paper, and fruit peelings. I started about 8 months ago and have used some of my compost to pot up winter violas. It is very satisfying.

Answer 2

The size doesn't really matter, but the tumblers seem to work the best because it's easier to aerate the compost by rotating them. There are a few things you need to do. Keep the compost moist. Keep at least half of the compost or more composed of brown stuff like leaves. If it is all green grass it wont want to break down well. Keep it in a halfway sunny place away from your house. Compost can catch on fire. One person at my workplace got their house caught on fire from the bags of grass clippings being piled next to their house in the sun. And add nitrogen fertilizer on it from time to time to help the breakdown process.

Answer 3

I have a few of the compost bins. I started off with one but was so pleased I got a few more. You need to put it on grass or pervious ground - helps the worms come in and breal down the compost. Dont overload with one type of waste eg - dont use only veg peelings or grass cuttings or leaves. A good mix of stuff both dry twigs and soft veg material works best. Make sure you chip or shred any woody material such as pruned shrubs. Dont put in cooked food, meat or bones. You can also put in tea-leaves, coffee grounds, small amounts of shreded paper and crushed egg shells. I'm in the UK and have found that some non - native fruit and veg doesnt compost that well - eg citrus peelings, pepper seeds and melon/pumpkin seeds. They make a terrible mess of the compost and can be very slop to break down. If putting in banana skins, chop them into small pieces first. Dont put in garden weeds as you'll only spread them that way. Cut flowers work well in it as do old bedding plants and old compost from the containers. I throw all that in too.

Stir the compost from time to time with a garden fork. Mens urine is also good for compost. I get my brother to pee in the compost bin when he comes to visit !

I've managed to get some really good compost from my bins but you need to be patient - can take over a year to be ready.

Answer 4

Most of us compost on a relatively small scale, to see how the pros do it look to the mushroom industry for guidelines. An optimal size is 5-6ft. wide, any length and 4-6ft. high, any larger will result in an anaerobic core. The book, The Mushroom Cultivator by Stamets and Chilton is the definitive source on composting. RScott

Answer 5

Compost, making compost
... ended up with a sopping wet, putrid, moldy looking mess that looks ... After the compost heap has heated up, turn it to aerate the innermost sections. ...www.flowerpotheaven.com/compost.htm - 57k - Cached

How to Make Compost UK
After three months, take a sample of your compost from the middle of the heap. ... Use a garden corner for making compost. Build up 15cm layers of ...greenfingers.com/articledisplay.asp?id=335&gfAdSection=HELPINGHANDS - 83k - Cached

Living It
After three months, take a sample of your compost from the middle of the heap. ... Use a garden corner for making compost. Build up 15cm layers of ...livingit.com/gardening/workshops/pgworkshoparticle.aspx?catid=3&id=335 - 65k - Cached

Making compost
After 2 or 3 days the heap will have gradually cooled and the size of the heap ... water the materials again, but if they're looking a bit dry give them a light ...home.vtown.com.au/dbellamy/compost/compost1.html - 7k - Cached

how to make garden compost to gladden the hearts of a worm 3
compost making, how to make good organic garden compost, hints and tips ... I regularly pee on my compost heap - but only when no-ones looking (and I'm male! ...www.angliangardener.co.uk/green_up_your_fingers/compost 3.htm - 30k - Cached

Making Leaf Mould UK
... making a separate heap of leaves next to your compost ... How to Make Compost. Looking after a new lawn. Looking after hand tools. Maintaining a lawn edge ...greenfingers.com/articledisplay.asp?gfAdSection=HELPINGHANDS&id=347 - 83k - Cached

Garden compost - How to make great organic compost
Garden compost - Garden advice tell you how to make the best organic garden compost heap so that it ... So what we are looking for is a nice diverse mixture ...www.gardenadvice.co.uk/howto/organic/compost/index.html - 43k - Cached

17 Composting with Schools (PDF)
... could have a great time designing and making compost boxes, using the ... A compost heap alone will not attract rats to an area – but it does make their ...www.communitycompost.org/info/seventeen.pdf - 81k - View as html

weblife.org: Humanure Handbook: Chapter 3: Compost Miracles
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Worlds Best Compost
... entire heap of pure colloidal humus made WITHOUT turning, WITHOUT a compost bin, ... Successful compost making is both a science and an art. ...www.worldsbestcompost.com

Answer 6

Instead of buying a compost activator, grow comfrey and add it regularily

Answer 7

Hi
Try these links they should provide you with everything you need to know.

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/schools_organic_network/lz_comp.htm

http://www.which.co.uk/reports_and_campaigns/gardening/reports/techniques/soil/Making%20compost/making_compost_report_657_35875.jsp

Have fun!

Answer 8

try this web site