Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling

The borders used to be plastic sheeting with gravel on top so I have removed them and dug the soil over.I mentioned manure to a guy at the garden centre and he said this was too strong to use but mentioned a pre-bagged product to mix in with the soil that contained 25% fertilizer.So I...

My answer to the weed problem is to sieve it through a 10mm sieve, bag it, let the compost sit for 3-4 weeks in a warm place (greenhouse) to germinate any seeds then run it through a sieve again before using it. You'll kill off 90% of the weeds without destroying any of the 'essentials' in the...

Thanks for the comments. Seems to be quite economical too. I'll get some and give it a try.

Is there an ideal size/shape/design of compost bin? I've plenty of room for 3 good sized ones.I was thinking of building them as one unit from croncrete blocks with airgaps between each block. Then using a slatted timber front on each. They could be as big as 4ft square each.

As usual, some good advice on the web e.g.Legionella is common in water and soil and most of the time, doesn't hurt anybody. This poor chap had the misfortune to get infected by a rare strain. The key health warnings seem to be 1) avoid breathing dust from bagged compost and 2) wash your...

Thanks for the advice folks

OH works in the family business and they make wet wipes, the drums are what they get the fluid in

thankyou will do that, neighbour also told me to stick some onions in there to, will see if that helps

:thumb: I use the organic chicke poo pellets on most of my garden, easily available at garden centres.. Easy to apply & dissolve very quickly.. I even dissolve some in a bucket & add the liquid to my watering can for some pots & plants.. It is suitable for most plants.. I do however use an...

Yes! used to use it some years ago, but then the PC brigade got to work and all the Garden centres etc, stopped stocking it.It would be nice to be able to buy pure peat once again.The best peat of all was that what was sold for spreading in chicken (hen) houses, it was nice and lumpy...

Hi Peter, and a warm welcome! Did you place the compost 'bins' onto bare earth/grass etc (as opposed to a concrete slab). Just thinking if they're on a solid, inpenetrable base the worms won't be able to find a way in! What are you putting on the compost? My best heaps have a good mix...

I have recently started peeiing into a bucket with a layer of sawdust/shavings at the botton so neighbors can't hear what I'm up to and when there's enough into the composter it goes. Save taking mucky shoes off to go inside tothe loo. Also the pet rabits latrine is lines with...

Hi Walnut and Takemor02withit. YES we are so proud of him, and what a good part he played. J.R.P.

I just use multicompost and sand often with garden soil added - which is not far off what David said. Pure compost can get a bit soggy.

Moyra. You can use fresh horse pooh to make liquid manure quiet safely. Done it loads of times. It's only when digging it in you need to let it break down first. Too many nitrates/nitrites in the fresh stuff. Someone here told me it's because the pooh contains pee ???? and that is what does it....

Hi Loofah.You are right in theory - the compost should be steralised and have no spurious seeds. But a few can get through. I buy multi-purpose compost from Focus, which is not bad - but not as good or as cheap as it was three years ago. I now have to sieve it. I had a small number of...

Thanks for the link glenw. Seems to imply they're not a great thing doesn't it? I put stuff straight into a worktop caddy lined with a bag then put the full bag into the compost bin. Mine are all up the sides too ismeval. They're like little tiny moths with white wings. I might try leaving the...

:D...Of course I do Liz!....Don't waste waste ,I say:rolleyes: It amazes me too the bits and pieces that get into the compost...For example,Elastic bands???what the heck do they come off:confused:

Great article jimbo! I bought a wiggly wigglers wormery about 8 years ago, decided to keep it in the kitchen (as advertised). Got it all set up, worms released into their new 'home', and went to bed. Nest morning, came downstairs, and stopped in my tracks, as to my utter horror, the worms...

If you had the chance again would you choose a rotarybin over the others.?