Compost heap question

[ancee]

Hi all. Next weekend we are going to build a compost heap. We have been given a load of pallets to make it with. We want to build a square with four pallets, then add an 'extension' on the side of it. Using 7 pallets in all. We can then turn the compost from one side into the other. (Is that right by the way?)
My question is, does it have to be built ontop of, say, slabs or can it go straight onto the soil? I'm wondering about this because we used to have a plastic dalek and when I nudged the bottom of it one day it looked like lovely compost underneath. When I looked a couple of weeks later it had all gone! and I wondered if it had leached into the ground below the dalek, thus making the ground below the dalek lovely and fertile but pointless as we weren't growing anything under the compost heap!

[ancee]

Also, - I forgot this bit. My hubs seems to think that if it's not on slabs we'll get rats burrowing under it. i have just pointed out that rats could just jump in through the sides though....

[chris]

On be soil is better, the organisms that break down the matter can access it eaiser then, but slabs is fine if it has to be

You could put chicken wire/weld mesh across the bottom of the bins and up the sides too....

[Bigmallly]

Agree with Chris plus I would be tempted to use 5 pallets.....3 sides & 2 backs........put some 2x1 down the sides of the fronts with a 1" gap and slide planks down making it easier to turn & build them up as you add materials. So basically you have 1 or 2 planks on the front, add your materials, turn if need be then add further planks as needed. Also easier to remove when emptying. Just my opinion. I may be totally wrong, it has been known..........

[Jono]

My mum has several in her garden, and they're on both slabs and the ground. They're all successful, but unfortunately rats get in both types.

They're determined buggers, rats. We had one chew through a plastic toilet pipe at work last week because it had got trapped.

[ancee]

Hmmm.... Like the 5 pallet idea Bigmally, I actually think that is what we are doing and not 7, - got a bit confused! Thinking I might get a little anti-rat kind of a dog, so he can chase em around the garden!

[alldigging]

Making a Compost Heap (1941) - YouTube

[woody21]

Making a Compost Heap (1941) - YouTube

Thats a fantastic video, the neatest compst heap ever and its huge!

[muddyfeet]

Making a Compost Heap (1941) - YouTube

That's a really disciplined heap, all piled up and not straggling about. This is compost heaps when they were heaps and not bins. Very good film!

[ancee]

What was the stuff he was sprinkling on it? Sulphate of amonia is called what nowadays? Or is it still called that and what's it for?

[taff]

It's the equivalent of weeing on your heap

Nice compost heap,although I may struggle to replicate that.
I'm going to try to find some metal tubing so i can compost in place on each bed this year, and save the really big stuff for similar to the above.

[ancee]

Hmmm..... Not sure what the neighbours would say seeing me squatting - "And her with an outside toilet too!" hahaha might make hubs do it in the dead of night hahaha

[taff]

You'd be surprised how many people here do that

[muddyfeet]

Hmmm..... Not sure what the neighbours would say seeing me squatting - "And her with an outside toilet too!" hahaha might make hubs do it in the dead of night hahaha

You don't have to pee on the spot, you know. A bucket in the privacy of the hut works quite well

[chris]

Turning ofren and keeping the heap moist will deter rats - and will also have the added bonus if helping it rot down faster!