Just looked in my compost bin

Got an earthy smell but nothing like compost yet thats a year now since we started.

How often should I be turning and likely to get compost if any.

 

We started about a year ago too, and turned it about 3 or 4 times. Mostly during the summer, must have just sat there all winter till i dug around last month. Had loads at the bottom, not like the stuff you get from a garden centre, and there were recognisable things left in it, but it smelt good and was certainly usuable.

Maybe you've not had a good mix to greens vs browns? What does yours look like?

Here is a good website about it
http://www.recyclenow.com/home_composting/composting/the_look_of.html

 

When we turned it last yr it looked as if starting to compost down and have an earthy smell, but now looks anything new beeing put on top has not composted at all.

Should I be cutting everthing into small pieces before adding ?

 

Mine also is taking forever,but I think mines maybe due to being in the shade.But I've no room anywhere else to put it.o2

 

I dont know what sort of bin yours is, but mine is home built box out wood. I also have new stuff adding to it, and that still takes a year or however to rot down, but in the bin i spaded that all over to one side so i could get to the bottom where the good stuff was.

 

Ive got two daleks.ones being left to do its thing. while I start on the other. 02

 

ScotKat, ideally, you should turn it once a month, and it should be ready for use in about 6 months. But, if your still adding to it then it`s never going to be ready. This is why you need more than 1 bin, preferably 3 of them. One being used, another composting down and the third being filled.

 

Dont have room for 3 but even the one is still only half full .

Its not been getting turned once a month so got it all wrong I guess.

Just put paper shreddings in and have shreded kitchen and tiolet roll tubes and added.

Our grass not needing cut yet no growth,so as and when grass clippings will get added.

 

You`ve not got it all wrong at all. If you get the chance turn it, don`t fill it solely with paper, this needs to be mixed with green material. Keep it covered if it is going to take time to fill it. This will help with the heat of the heap. When it is full, turn it again, cover it and leave it. Turning it now and again.

 

Thanks David think grass will be ready to cut in two weeks if this heat keeps up so before grass clippings go in will turn .

We also have a green compost council bin which gets emptied every two weeks so fill between the two.

This afternoon is the first time in months shredded paper has been added.

Thanks again.

 

Since I am female then no use Loofah and dont think my guys fancy doing it.

 

What Loofah is referring to Scotkat. Is that the compost rots down quicker if you add ammonia. The easiest way is to get some Sulphate of Ammonia and add a handful every now and then. Or you can dilute it in water and add it that way via a watering can.

 

what about Garotto thats supposed to rot it quickly,sorry spelling might be wrong :rolleyes:

 

I realised that David was taking th emick a wee bit

But really jsut wanted it to rot down with out added help David adn really not in any hurry to use the or if we get compost.