On 02/08/08 15:12, David Hare-Scott wrote:
"Ed" ex@directory wrote in message
...
I took on an allotment plot earlier this year, and quickly cleared half
of it to grow at least some crops this season whilst I intensively
double-dig and clear the other half. All of that is going well.

So, now I want to make a compost bin. Eventually I plan to have 3.

I have scavenged 4 pallets each of which is 3ft x 4ft which I intend to
use to build a box that is 3ft square and 4 ft high. One of the sides
will be loosely (but securely) tied in so that it is removable for access.

But what to do next? I have read so much here and on google that I am
utterly confused.

Firstly, should I line the box with something like lino or old carpet in
order to keep the heat in or leave it as it is to allow for aeration?


Depends on temperature.

Secondly, do I have to stick to a strict regime as to how I build up the
layers?

You can but it isn't absolutely essential


I was just thinking of simply piling in layers of stuff as and
when I harvested crops throughout the season , maybe throw in some grass
cuttings from home, maybe throw in paper from the shredding machine,
maybe throw in some straw if it available.


Sounds OK to me

Do I have to add accelerators?

not unless you want it to go fast

Do I have to add lime?

it will degrade quite well without it, you may want to lime your garden as
compost comes out slightly acidic but it depends on your soil and overall
conditions how important this is

Do I have to turn
it?

Only if you want it to work at maximum speed

Do I add worms?

no they will find there own way there

Do I have to pee on it LOL!!

no but it is a useful thing to do with that resource

Making compost seems to have become such a scientific skill that I am
now quite wary of even starting to do so, lest I end up with some smelly
sickly sludge that it no good for anything.

Ed


Calm down it is not such a big deal. You can try to be super scientific but
if you are not it will still work but take longer.

David


hey David.


you give good practical advice. I think I go with wot u say.

Thanks,,
Ed xxx