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Old 25-05-2003, 09:08 PM
Kay Easton
 
Posts: n/a
Default Wooden compost bin ventilation

In article , David C
writes
I'm about to make 3 wooden compost bins out of a quantity of left over
decking, plan is each will be about a 1 metre cube with a removable
front and wooden top. They will be in shade behind a shed.

Seems to be two opinions re ventilation, build it with the planks
close together to keep in heat or space them to allow air to circulate
(or even make the back or sides from mesh)

Most of what will be going in will be grass cuttings but other organic
waste will be added for variety (as well as ginuea pig and rabbit
straw and poo!) I also have lots of worms which will be moved from the
current bin.

I'm inclined to make it closed to keep the heat in.


Ours is closed, to keep moisture in. It works well.
You're right about the size, and that you need three (at least!)

You could make the dividing walls between adjacent heaps open.

these will also be the first to rot, as they are permanently damp,
unlike the sides, which are dry on the outside, and get a chance to dry
out altogether when you empty the heap. ours are pretty soft up to about
18 inches after about 10 years, but the sides are still fine.


--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm