Backyard Poultry Forum

a mate gave me this to make my own compose, but any ideas how to start off.

Does it have drainage?

no I don't think so, you are talking about if there are holes on the bottom??

there is a hole up the top that is big that you can put your hand in it.

Compost works best if there is some drainage and some ventilation (or occasional turning/mixing) otherwise it becomes soggy, anaerobic and smelly.
I would start by making some large holes in the base and sitting it on the ground. That way it can drain and the soil bacteria will make contact with the composting materia and start the decomposition process.
The rest is not rocket science, although there are some complicated 'recipe' around - fine if you are doing it all at once but most people make compost as they have the ingredients. Just layer any thing organic - chook poop, green stuff -lawn cuttings (only thin layer) weeds, vege scraps and dry brown stuff -leaves, small sticks, straw, news paper, cardboard, as you have it. Don't add meat. Keep the whole lot moist but not wet and occasionally fork it over if you can be bothered. A hand full of garden lime ocassionally will help control any smell and help the composting process
It is ready to use when it looks like dark soil or has a worm population. The bottom layers will be ready first so consider cutting the whole base out so that you can lift the bin off.

thank you, sounds like I have a job to do.

I was just talking to a friend , that I have some potting mix and some herb and veggie soil, so I can plant cherry tomatos, I am starting them with seeds

my mate gave me a better idea of a compose

make a metre x metre,
4 basa block high ( evenally )

he told me don't need a roof over it.

told me to put chook coop scraps
shreeped paper
grass clipping
in it.

using this area

Yep, that would work.

Lay a bit of old carpet or something similar over the pile. It just has to cover the compost inside, not the brick walls. That'll keep moisture in and provide a bit of insulation. This is not necessary, but it will help speed up the process.

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Cheerio, Rach
Blue Swedish Ducks

set up compose

photo 2