My first bin full of compost.

This is the first time I have ever tried to compost garden waste.
I had my new bin a couple of weeks ago.
Since then I have been shredding shrubs and putting the kitchen waste and weeds in it.
It was full to the top and I was a bit worried I had over filled it.
Ater being told to add a bucket of water, it is happening.
It is hot and it is reducing by the day.
Now ,how do I no when it's 'done', I no it will be a while.
If I don't use it this year can it be left through the winter?
I never thought I would get excited over composting. :o :D

 

"Now ,how do I no when it's 'done', I no it will be a while"

If its really hot in the middle maybe as little as 6 weeks. If it doesn't get really hot them probably next spring. Have you got a little "door" at the bottom? It should be crumbly, rather like soil, when its done, and not much recognisable plant material - except some of the more stalky / woody bits (which you can remove and put through again if you like).

"If I don't use it this year can it be left through the winter?"

Yup, there's no rush to use it - although sounds like you could use the bin as soon as it can be emptied! You can bag it when its done., or spread it on the veg / flower beds.

You will probably find it shrinks down as it composts, so you may be able to get more in.

Giving it a "stir" will help too - you could empty the whole thing out, and "re-load" it mixing everything up int he process.

 

"I never thought I would get excited over composting."

I am completely in love with all composting thing. So you are not alone here!

 

Thanks for the info.:thumb:
It is very hot and it is reducing.
Just off to have a look in the door.

 

I've just got my new compost stirer thing and so I've given it a good stir. It was surprising that most of it is actually well on its way to good compost

 

So what will it look like when it's ready.
Really sorry about all the questions. :o

 

have to re-send this, I think...sorry if it comes up twice!
Nothing like the pleasure of using your own compost for the first time...actually I started using it in the Spring, but I've made a lot more since then!! Used it to plant violas yesterday.

 

I started my first bin in July.
I have had a look in the door and it looks the same as when I put the stuff in.
Maybe a bit darker .
But I'm not sure what I'm looking for.
It's not like crumbly soil.
It did reduce a lot at first but now seems to have stopped.
I have added water and a good mix of everything as suggested.
I hope I'm doing this right.
Or I'm going to have a lot of nasty waste to get rid of. :dh:
When I take the lid off it's full of life.
Crawly things etc.
And it feels warm.
I can't stir it and mix it up without emptying it as it's to full
I'll just leave it and wait until the spring maybe.

 

oooh composting is one of those pleasures. It has a nice smell too if it is going well.


You should fully empty it stir up and refill it according to the experts, but I have one of old garden claw things which have the tines all bent after an incident with some very compacted hard clay which I use. Plunging it right in the bottom then stirring it as they layers build up.

I use that garotta stuff but not sure it is actually speeding the process up or not.

 

I use this:

http://www.crocus.co.uk/product/_/t...t-stirrer-compost-aerator/classid.2000006091/

It's quite easy to mix a whole bin without emptying it. U push it in the compost and the metal fins close and when u pull it out the fins open and stir the compost.