Compost Virgin

[Alliegid]

After spending weeks in a house with a darlek type compost bin, I am enthusiastic about getting one myself.

After looking on line for advice I'm more confused than when I started. Are cool compost heaps and hot ones 2 completely different things? The one I've been adding to doesn't seem hot at all, should it be? What proportion of green leafy stuff/ peelings etc should I use to cardboard, paper shreddings etc? Do brown leaves count as brown stuff or green stuff? Should I turn it? Can I add slugs or will they harm it? Wee? - how often & how much??!! HELP - I don't know where to start.

I've seen tumbler composters, which appeal - are there any special instructions for those?

Thanks in advance

[Buenchico]

I won't pretend to know anything about composting but I know who should do. (The Royal Horticultural Society):
http://apps.rhs.org.u.../Profile.aspx?pid=444

You might also want to consider a wormery:
http://apps.rhs.org.u.../Profile.aspx?pid=726

Chris

[boxtops]

Allie, don't get too hung up on the detail. I've a big dalek at the top of my garden and all the soft stuff goes in it - veg peelings, overripe fruit, dead flowers, insides of toilet rolls, card egg boxes, kitchen paper. I don't put newspaper in, I find it leaves a cluggy mess, and I don't put grass cuttings. Don't put in anything with protein in it, don't put eggshells, they never break down. The tub will make itself hot if you leave the lid on, I leave mine open sometimes to let the rain in. Slugs seem to find their own way in - but worms are much more valuable, especially the little red ones. I don't bother about proportions, I just stuff it all in.
We've got two bins now - one being filled and one we've just started to use - the compost is lovely. When the compost is used, I'll shut bin 1 and start filling bin 2 again. Good luck!

[Mosaic]

Adding the occasional sly weewee is also very helpful for accelerating the process. Just don't fall off the bin and hurt yourself.

[Frank97]

Adding some Garotta Compost Accelerator when you turn it seems to help things along, I also add a tub of live earth worms if I remember when I pass the local bait and tackle shop.Here's a pic of mine from earlier this year started about nine months before.
http://i791.photobuck...%20jeans/S1053030.jpg

[Alliegid]

Thanks all, but should it be hot? I mixed in a barrow of brown leaves and lots of peelings/ weeds etc and have been watching it for a couple of weeks, but It won't warm up :o( It doesn't seem too wet or dry, it's not slimy or smelly & I have "watered" it!

[boxtops]

Not necessarily, mine isn't. I think if you have a compost bin with straw and horse manure, that gets hot!

[Alliegid]

Lol - I'll be running up the road with a shovel then!

[carlton23]

Do you have it on a soil base or concrete?

[Alliegid]

The one I've been tending is on earth and does it matter what a tumbler stands on?

[johnk]

Best on earth so the soil bacteria and worms can easily enter the heap and do their jod. Don't worry about the temperature it will be warm in the middle that's the idea of turning it although I never bother as it too much work. Fresh pee helps warm and accelerate rotting, male is best. Keep the rain out as this does most to cool the heap. Any soft organic stuff can go in but mix any grass well as it clumps up.