Help, my compost isn't doing anything!

[wornoutmumoftwo]

I bought this dalek shaped composter a year ago, thinking that about now i'd have some compost to put in the garden, but no, nothing is happening.

Unfortunatly my husband placed it on a slab of concrete despite my concerns about the worms not being able to get into it but he told me they could...

How? It's shut tight?

Anyway, now we're getting some warm weather I need to try and speed it all up without th use of chemicals etc as I want to move it in the autumn as planning on building a wildlife pond area, which will include the dalek but i want it on soil not concrete and I don't have the stomach to move rotting food from a to b.

Just wondered if I'd be better off leaving the lid off top/ door off bottom as it gets really dry.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[PAULW]

If you can get hold of some hoss muck this will kick start the composting process

[lottie dolly]

someone else on the forum said they had one on concrete,and the worms did get in,i have 2 of the black daleks,and know of others ,and we think they not very good,i had some for 2 years and was still not done quite enough,i think the main thing with them is to turn the heap every now and then,it helps to speed things up,BUT with the daleks is not easy as they have to be emptied out,i personal think it;s easier {if you got the room}to have 2 wooden ones next to each other,then it's a matter of just chucking it from one to the other,job done,heap turned,
have you looked at the search,at top of page,for others views on composting,

[Flummery]

They are ok on concrete (after all, worms get in my pots that are on concrete and they've only got titchy little drainage holes - the pots, not the worms!) They are better on soil though - but its an idea to put chicken wire down first - stops the rats getting in. I have 3 of these dalek and find them great - but mine are in a sunny place. You really need a bit of heat to get the composting process going with a vengeance. Also, as mentioned, horse manure or even human wee will kick start the process. Good luck - and don't get caught on camera trying to wee in there!

[zazen999]

We had a dalek on concrete in our old house and the worms got in just fine.

Can you dig a bit of the garden and chuck some worms straight in?

If it gets dry, just give it a watering; but I would suggest keeping the lid on as it lets the heat build up which is what you want.

I used to think that about rotting food; but honestly if you get worms, heat and moistness, it should break down quick enough to be shovelled around with no worries.

Also, give it a mix by forking it every few weeks; it really makes a difference.

[selsey.steve]

Making a composter work

To make any composter work, and that includes the Dalek shaped ones, nitrogen is needed, especially for grass cuttings. The time-honoured method of introducing some nitrogen is for the gentlemen of the household to pee on the compost! It really does work.
Another, possibly a more socially acceptable way of introducing nitrogen is to make up a strong mix of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, a gallon or more, and with the aid of a watering can, decant this onto the compost heap. Repeat the 'fertilization' about once a fortnight.
Turn the compost heap over once a month. Protect the heap from being drenched with rainfall, a wet heap suffers anaerobic decomposition and it stinks! Compost heaps need to be damp, not sodden.
The introduction of horse manure or chicken manure is good as both contain the requisite bacteria for decomposition of the vegetative matter in the heap. If you can get hold of horse-urine soaked stable straw you are onto a winner for addition to the heap. If you can collect a few of the small, red earthworms, you can always chuck them onto the heap but they're not really necessary. Remember that a good heap has a 50-50 mix of 'green & brown'; 50% minced greenery, 50% shredded stem and woody stalks.
I've attached a couple of photos of the composter I made out of discarded pallets and some off-cuts of wriggly plastic. It is working a treat!

[endymion]

That's a fantastic looking pair of compost bins. I'd very much like to pass the pictures onto OH for when he's got some spare time.

About how big are they, and did you make them out of pallets?

[jadeshing]

I agree with endymion, really nice compost bins ! How long did it take to make them ? Do you do mail orders ? ha ha

[Two_Sheds]

To make any composter work ...nitrogen is needed, especially for grass cuttings.

Grass clippings are high in nitrogen: they won't compost down on their own, they need 'browns' (carbon) adding to them. Those red worms will find their own way in if the conditions are right

Lovely compost bins, very posh