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#1
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25 litre drum composter
Hi,
We have a very small garden, with no room for a "conventional" compost heap. I have got access to a number of 25 litre plastic drums, and was going to convert one of those. One of the main advantages will be that I can turn it easily. Can anyone point out any ways to improve this idea?: Make about 30 5mm holes in the base of the drum. Stand the drum on bricks, to allow air through. Wrap bubble wrap around the drum in a forlorn attempt to insulate it. If I'm going to shake the drum, what can I use in the bottom to ensure the air holes stay open, that won't move about too much? Filling it: We'll only be using vegetative kitchen scraps, posted through the cap hole. Should I try to "start" the compost with a couple of handfuls of someone else's compost? Will pure kitchen waste be too rich? Do I need to water the compost - bearing in mind that the cap will be on all the time, so no rain wetting! Once the compost is made, I'll cut the drum open to release it! Thanks, Nathan |
#2
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25 litre drum composter
Hello Nathan,
You don't say if you're standing the bin on concrete or soil. Compost heaps are better on soil, unless you're straining the liquor off. You did not mention this, so my advice would be to cut off the bottom of the bin and stand it on soil. When the compost is ready, you can remove it by lifting the bin; that way you retain the bin and can start adding compost. This must be easier than destroying the bin and filling land-fill sites with plastic. My plastic ex-dustbin composter is very efficient in the summer (less so in winter) even though I don't turn it. (I do, however, turn my larger bins). As to your entirely kitchen scraps content, you should produce reasonable compost. Beware the mix getting too wet and slimy. Let some scraps dry out or add some newspaper. A heap should be a mix of green, nitrogenous matter (lawn clippings and vegetative waste) and carbonaceous matter (more woody material, paper, cardboard, etc.) Some experts advocate using all your organic waste. Others are more cautious. I, for instance, avoid potato peelings (they resprout and may infect your heap with disease) and orange peelings and too much onion, as they are said to be too acidic for the worms whose work we rely on. As you suggest, it may help to add some worm-rich compost from another heap. If you can't, however, the process will start naturally. Spider. Nathan Critchlow-Watton wrote in message om... Hi, We have a very small garden, with no room for a "conventional" compost heap. I have got access to a number of 25 litre plastic drums, and was going to convert one of those. One of the main advantages will be that I can turn it easily. Can anyone point out any ways to improve this idea?: Make about 30 5mm holes in the base of the drum. Stand the drum on bricks, to allow air through. Wrap bubble wrap around the drum in a forlorn attempt to insulate it. If I'm going to shake the drum, what can I use in the bottom to ensure the air holes stay open, that won't move about too much? Filling it: We'll only be using vegetative kitchen scraps, posted through the cap hole. Should I try to "start" the compost with a couple of handfuls of someone else's compost? Will pure kitchen waste be too rich? Do I need to water the compost - bearing in mind that the cap will be on all the time, so no rain wetting! Once the compost is made, I'll cut the drum open to release it! Thanks, Nathan |
#4
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25 litre drum composter
I agree with "Spider" that you would be better removing bottom of
barrel and standing it directly on the soil. I use a plastic dustbin upside sown with bottom cut out and use lid with brick on top. It is tnen narrower at top and the bin can easily be removed to start a fresh "heap". However if you want to shake, rattle or roll it, you would need a fitted lid and holes not just in the bottom but up the sides too. By now you need at least 3 to compare these methods! Pam in Bristol |
#5
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25 litre drum composter
On Thu, 11 Dec 2003 15:19:03 +0000, Pam Moore
wrote: I agree with "Spider" that you would be better removing bottom of barrel and standing it directly on the soil. I use a plastic dustbin upside sown with bottom cut out and use lid with brick on top. It is tnen narrower at top and the bin can easily be removed to start a fresh "heap". However if you want to shake, rattle or roll it, you would need a fitted lid and holes not just in the bottom but up the sides too. By now you need at least 3 to compare these methods! We have something similar supplied by the local authority. It has a closeable aperture the size of a large cat flap cut in the side at the base, you can use this to shovel out the finished product. -- Martin |
#6
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25 litre drum composter
"Nathan Critchlow-Watton" wrote in message om... Hi, We have a very small garden, with no room for a "conventional" compost heap. I have got access to a number of 25 litre plastic drums, and was going to convert one of those. One of the main advantages will be that I can turn it easily. Can anyone point out any ways to improve this idea?: Make about 30 5mm holes in the base of the drum. Stand the drum on bricks, to allow air through. Wrap bubble wrap around the drum in a forlorn attempt to insulate it. If I'm going to shake the drum, what can I use in the bottom to ensure the air holes stay open, that won't move about too much? Filling it: We'll only be using vegetative kitchen scraps, posted through the cap hole. Should I try to "start" the compost with a couple of handfuls of someone else's compost? Will pure kitchen waste be too rich? Do I need to water the compost - bearing in mind that the cap will be on all the time, so no rain wetting! Once the compost is made, I'll cut the drum open to release it! Thanks, Nathan Your idea will be fine but have 2 one full and one empty .......just add lashings of urine as an accelerator to your mix of stuff for composting........worms will enter from the soil through your 5mm holes turn the bin out every 3 months into the empty one .......this is what speeds the process and in a year you should have brilliant compost Old carpet wrapped around would be just as good but preferably site the bins in a sunny corner not a cold damp one Any chance of others getting some of the plastic bins you have access too ?????? |
#7
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25 litre drum composter
"bnd777" wrote in message ...
Your idea will be fine but have 2 one full and one empty .......just add lashings of urine as an accelerator to your mix of stuff for composting........worms will enter from the soil through your 5mm holes SNIP Any chance of others getting some of the plastic bins you have access too ?????? Thank you all very much for your comments and ideas. Soil is too precious in our garden to put a composter on, so it'll be standing on bricks next to the bin! I won't chuck the drum out at the end of the year, I'm going to cut an access hole to shake compost out of This will be "sealable" so I can shake the drum up to mix it. I realised I will probably get bored of shaking compost out of it, so this is just an initial idea. Following on from ideas about aeration, I will run a pipe through the middle of the drum, with holes drilled along it, open to the air at the top and bottom. Hopefully this will get some convection currents through the compost, and along with shaking it should provide sufficient oxygen. The holes in the bottom will then only be to drip out excess moisture. I might install a collection system for this liquor! Thanks too for comments about using it. I'll put in the odd handful of ripped up paper, and maybe a handful of woodash every now and again? Peeing on it sounds fun, but does anyone know if URG correspondence will be accepted as a legal defence for indecent exposure? I'm afraid that all the drums from work are either taken away to carry water to horses (not by me), act as water butts or make Heath Robinson composters! And yes, I have considered horse manure as a starter, but the idea of trying to squish it through the cap is revolting. Thanks, Nathan |
#8
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25 litre drum composter
On Thu, 11 Dec 2003 23:59:10 +0000 (UTC), "bnd777"
wrote: Your idea will be fine but have 2 one full and one empty .......just add lashings of urine as an accelerator to your mix of stuff for composting........worms will enter from the soil through your 5mm holes speak for yourself :-) -- Martin |
#9
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25 litre drum composter
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#10
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25 litre drum composter
"Janet Baraclough" wrote in message ... The message from (Nathan Critchlow-Watton) contains these words: Thank you all very much for your comments and ideas. Soil is too precious in our garden to put a composter on, so it'll be standing on bricks next to the bin! I'm afraid that all the drums from work are either taken away to carry water to horses (not by me), act as water butts or make Heath Robinson composters! Have you thought of making a drum into a wormbin instead of a compost heap? It would dispose of all the kitchen waste fater than a small compost tub; you'd get compost and liquid fertiliser from it. If you have space for it in a shed, garage, basement or sheltered carport that would be ideal as the worms should be kept free of frost or sweltering sun. We produce betwen 1 and 2 lbs of vegetable waste daily. How large a bin would I have to install in the garage to decompose, say, at the rate of 2 lbs per day? Franz |
#11
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25 litre drum composter
The message
from "Franz Heymann" contains these words: "Janet Baraclough" wrote in message ... Have you thought of making a drum into a wormbin instead of a compost heap? It would dispose of all the kitchen waste fater than a small compost tub; you'd get compost and liquid fertiliser from it. If you have space for it in a shed, garage, basement or sheltered carport that would be ideal as the worms should be kept free of frost or sweltering sun. We produce betwen 1 and 2 lbs of vegetable waste daily. You really should learn to cook properly. How large a bin would I have to install in the garage to decompose, say, at the rate of 2 lbs per day? One's plenty, it's the worm size that's crucial. Janet |
#12
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25 litre drum composter
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message ... "Janet Baraclough" wrote in message ... The message from (Nathan Critchlow-Watton) contains these words: Thank you all very much for your comments and ideas. Soil is too precious in our garden to put a composter on, so it'll be standing on bricks next to the bin! I'm afraid that all the drums from work are either taken away to carry water to horses (not by me), act as water butts or make Heath Robinson composters! Have you thought of making a drum into a wormbin instead of a compost heap? It would dispose of all the kitchen waste fater than a small compost tub; you'd get compost and liquid fertiliser from it. If you have space for it in a shed, garage, basement or sheltered carport that would be ideal as the worms should be kept free of frost or sweltering sun. We produce betwen 1 and 2 lbs of vegetable waste daily. How large a bin would I have to install in the garage to decompose, say, at the rate of 2 lbs per day? Franz Dustbin size would be just great Franz In fact converting a plastic dustbin into a worm bin is darned easy |
#13
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25 litre drum composter
Reply-To: "Franz Heymann"
NNTP-Posting-Host: host213-122-142-39.in-addr.btopenworld.com X-Trace: titan.btinternet.com 1071873691 22522 213.122.142.39 (19 Dec 2003 22:41:31 GMT) X-Complaints-To: NNTP-Posting-Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 22:41:31 +0000 (UTC) X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1158 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Priority: 3 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 Path: kermit!newsfeed-east.nntpserver.com!nntpserver.com!newsfeed.media. kyoto-u.ac.jp!newsfeed.icl.net!newsfeed.fjserv.net!diabl o.netcom.net.uk!netcom.net.uk!194.72.7.126.MISMATC H!news-peer-test!news-peer0-test!btnet-feed5!btnet!news.btopenworld.com!not-fo r-mail Xref: kermit uk.rec.gardening:179963 "bnd777" wrote in message ... "Franz Heymann" wrote in message ... "Janet Baraclough" wrote in message ... The message from (Nathan Critchlow-Watton) contains these words: Thank you all very much for your comments and ideas. Soil is too precious in our garden to put a composter on, so it'll be standing on bricks next to the bin! I'm afraid that all the drums from work are either taken away to carry water to horses (not by me), act as water butts or make Heath Robinson composters! Have you thought of making a drum into a wormbin instead of a compost heap? It would dispose of all the kitchen waste fater than a small compost tub; you'd get compost and liquid fertiliser from it. If you have space for it in a shed, garage, basement or sheltered carport that would be ideal as the worms should be kept free of frost or sweltering sun. We produce betwen 1 and 2 lbs of vegetable waste daily. How large a bin would I have to install in the garage to decompose, say, at the rate of 2 lbs per day? Franz Dustbin size would be just great Franz In fact converting a plastic dustbin into a worm bin is darned easy Thanks. I'll have a bash. Franz |
#14
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25 litre drum composter
Reply-To: "Franz Heymann"
NNTP-Posting-Host: host213-122-142-39.in-addr.btopenworld.com X-Trace: titan.btinternet.com 1071873691 22522 213.122.142.39 (19 Dec 2003 22:41:31 GMT) X-Complaints-To: NNTP-Posting-Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 22:41:31 +0000 (UTC) X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1158 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Priority: 3 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 Path: kermit!newsfeed-east.nntpserver.com!nntpserver.com!newsfeed.media. kyoto-u.ac.jp!newsfeed.icl.net!newsfeed.fjserv.net!diabl o.netcom.net.uk!netcom.net.uk!194.72.7.126.MISMATC H!news-peer-test!news-peer0-test!btnet-feed5!btnet!news.btopenworld.com!not-fo r-mail Xref: kermit uk.rec.gardening:179963 "bnd777" wrote in message ... "Franz Heymann" wrote in message ... "Janet Baraclough" wrote in message ... The message from (Nathan Critchlow-Watton) contains these words: Thank you all very much for your comments and ideas. Soil is too precious in our garden to put a composter on, so it'll be standing on bricks next to the bin! I'm afraid that all the drums from work are either taken away to carry water to horses (not by me), act as water butts or make Heath Robinson composters! Have you thought of making a drum into a wormbin instead of a compost heap? It would dispose of all the kitchen waste fater than a small compost tub; you'd get compost and liquid fertiliser from it. If you have space for it in a shed, garage, basement or sheltered carport that would be ideal as the worms should be kept free of frost or sweltering sun. We produce betwen 1 and 2 lbs of vegetable waste daily. How large a bin would I have to install in the garage to decompose, say, at the rate of 2 lbs per day? Franz Dustbin size would be just great Franz In fact converting a plastic dustbin into a worm bin is darned easy Thanks. I'll have a bash. Franz |
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