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Originally Posted by Audrey
I want to build a compost bin.
Do I need to add anything to it to start? Do I need to water it every so often?
Can this "soil" be used as planting soil or just top soil?
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Hi! Audrey,
I haven't looked at the sites Newt mentioned but I presume they answer your question. I would just like to add that I have found that you should cut plant stems etc into small pieces, say a couple of inches,- I use secateurs, you could invest in a Shredder if you have a lot of stuff. This speeds up the decomposition. I even chop up stuff like cabbage leaves. Nothing big goes in my bins.
Monty Don runs the lawnmower over his stuff first. It didn't work with me.
The next most important thing probably, is to "fluff up" the contents as often as you can, say with the fork. Air, and water, is absolutely essential for all the worms etc to do their job. Also if you can keep you bin warm that speeds thing up. You don't need chemicals or soil or anything else. Nature will do the job.
Once the compost is well rotted down you can use it for anything you like.
top dressing, new planting holes, diigging in, you name it. Great stuff.
Happy composting
Heath
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