Garden Composter...

[Moli]

Anybody got one???

[Donna]

nope sorry!!

[EmmaG]

I have :)

I have got one green one (from the council) and I also have a compost heap contained in some wooden pallets :)

[Moli]

I have :)

I have got one green one (from the council) and I also have a compost heap contained in some wooden pallets :)Been thinking of getting one for a while,are they worth buying?

[EmmaG]

Yes, I think they are very good, the OH puts some of the grass clippings in there and at the start of the following year (March ish) I always empty it and put it on my veg plot. I would however drill some holes in the side (that is what we did).

As long as the contents are moist and warm it should make very good compost.

I am trying to put more of my kitchen waste in there this year, don't forget you can put shredded newspaper in there as that helps as well.

[Tom]

Been thinking of getting one for a while,are they worth buying?

You get good enough weather to garden in scotland Moli?!!:-D

Tom x

[EmmaG]

What you will find is that is you use it right up until the end of the year that the top part of the bit hasn't composted down very well, but I just tip it on its side, take all of the good stuff from the bottom and then just tip it back up.

I would also make sure it is in ground/grass as you will get worms in it then.

[Donna]

You get good enough weather to garden in scotland Moli?!!:-D

Tom x

I think MOli has a Water Garden, Tom!!! :-D

[EmmaG]

Nah a Loch I reckon :)

[Moli]

What you will find is that is you use it right up until the end of the year that the top part of the bit hasn't composted down very well, but I just tip it on its side, take all of the good stuff from the bottom and then just tip it back up.

I would also make sure it is in ground/grass as you will get worms in it then.The one I am thinking of buying has an extraction drawer on each side....Thanks Emma, for the info:D

[Moli]

You get good enough weather to garden in scotland Moli?!!:-D

Tom xWe do get a summer Tom, just not as hot as you get, I even get a sun tan up here...:D

[EmmaG]

Happy to help Moli, I know it sounds very strange but I quite like composting!!! lol

[Moli]

I think MOli has a Water Garden, Tom!!! :-DGood thing about it is, we don't get hosepipe bans here...;)

[Kazz]

Moli.

Did you ever decided what to plant down your driveway?

And Tom don't push your luck the SCots are renown for tossing the caber no saying how far it will travel.;)

[Moli]

Moli.

Did you ever decided what to plant down your driveway?

And Tom don't push your luck the SCots are renown for tossing the caber no saying how far it will travel.;)

Still not decided about the drive yet Kazz, we have to get it edged first..The front garden is very wet, hubby thinks we may have aq burst pipe, so getting someone to have a look at it...

I am not a Scot, but know a lot of big muscley Scotsmen who could toss a caber quite a long way:shock: :? :lol: :lol:

[dinahsmum]

Agree with everything Emma said. You will just have a shorter 'active' season Moli, but the stuff will compost away.
Don't load too much grass clippings at once, or they will go slimey!
Just try and get a good mix of softer and harder, dryer and wetter. Shredded paper is fine, and crushed washed eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds, vacuum bag contents, potato peelings, outside cabbage leaves, orange peel etc etc. If it ever lived, it will compost. I work on the basis of trying to get a bit of everything in.....everything must add its special something to the mix!
Don't put cooked food - it encourages vermin - but you knew that.

[EmmaG]

and it you really want to get it composting well get the OH to wee in it!!! lol

[Moli]

Agree with everything Emma said. You will just have a shorter 'active' season Moli, but the stuff will compost away.
Don't load too much grass clippings at once, or they will go slimey!
Just try and get a good mix of softer and harder, dryer and wetter. Shredded paper is fine, and crushed washed eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds, vacuum bag contents, potato peelings, outside cabbage leaves, orange peel etc etc. If it ever lived, it will compost. I work on the basis of trying to get a bit of everything in.....everything must add its special something to the mix!
Don't put cooked food - it encourages vermin - but you knew that.Whats the compost makers you can buy, will I need that???
I will never need my wheeley bin emptied again if I put all that in it...:D

[dinahsmum]

and it you really want to get it composting well get the OH to wee in it!!! lol
"If it ever lived, it will compost"! :shock:
It might be worth thinking about buying some of the accelerator granules from a garden centre Moli - just to help if the weather isn't good.
But you'd be amazed - sometimes on cold days I stand with my legs pressed against the composter and the warmth coming off is lovely!

[EmmaG]

"If it ever lived, it will compost"! :shock:
It might be worth thinking about buying some of the accelerator granules from a garden centre Moli - just to help if the weather isn't good.
But you'd be amazed - sometimes on cold days I stand with my legs pressed against the composter and the warmth coming off is lovely!

lol seriously I have heard from many a source that mens urine is one of the best activators you can get ;)

[EmmaG]

tada!!!

http://www.kitchengarden.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=467&highlight=urine

[EmmaG]

http://www.kitchengarden.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764&highlight=urine

[EmmaG]

http://www.50connect.co.uk/index.asp?main=http%3A//www.50connect.co.uk/50c/organicgardening.asp%3Farticle%3D3513

[EmmaG]

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/environment/rubbish_waste_and_recycling/garden_waste/composting/composting_guide/top_tips_for_composting.htm

[dinahsmum]

Remember in Captain Corelli's Mandolin where the doctor used to p on the herbs every day?

[EmmaG]

never watched that film DM :)

[dinahsmum]

Don't think he did it in the film - awful film; book was much better.

[Donna]

never watched that film DM :)

I watched it (of course as Nicholas Cage in it:p ) but cant remember that bit!!:shock:

[Moli]

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/environment/rubbish_waste_and_recycling/garden_waste/composting/composting_guide/top_tips_for_composting.htmThanks Emma & DM think I know what to do now:D

[EmmaG]

Moli I am not sure if you have a Lidl near you but they are doing the composters at a very reasonable price

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20060420.p.Garden_Composter

[Moli]

This is where I saw it Emma, I have a Lidel 15 mins one way and another 20 minutes the other way!

[EmmaG]

Excellent stuff Moli, I would get one at that price, our local B&Q sells them for over £30!!

[EmmaG]

Actually I think I would get two for that price!!!

[Moli]

Think one would be enough for me, they have a few other things I have my eye on too....

[EmmaG]

Let us know Moli how you get on at Lidl :)

[Moli]

I will Emma, think its next Thursday they are selling the gardening stuff, hope I can get the composter in my car!!

[EmmaG]

Oh I am sure you will make it fit Moli ;)

[EmmaG]

You could always strap it to the top of the car!!!! lol

[Moli]

You could always strap it to the top of the car!!!! lolOne way or another it will go in!!:roll: :roll:

[Mags]

One way or another it will go in!!:roll: :roll:
You will have to leave the dogs at home that day Moli, it should go in then!:D

[Moli]

You will have to leave the dogs at home that day Moli, it should go in then!:DThey will not be pleased about that!!:roll: