Composting

Wherever possible I think it's a good idea to make your own garden compost. It not only saves you having to dispose of garden waste at the local tip, the compost that you make is great for the garden. There's an old saying that goes "you only get out of the garden what you put into it!" and one of the best things you can put into a garden is organic matter.

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• Practical Tips

[Organikmechanic]

I'd be really worried about the wood preserver. I use untreated pallet wood and I put a lid on the top with a good overhang, which gives protection from the elements. If you really want to preserve the bin then a coat of organic hemp oil or linseed oil would be preferable but a gracefully-aging compost bin blends in better with an organic garden! Thanks for posting.

[bertdiaz35]

@Megich Just garden waste and kitchen scraps to get started. Remember to keep the pile's moisture levels balanced, too dry or too wet can both hinder the decomposing process. Too wet, add browns like dead leaves. Too dry, add greens like the grass mulch after you cut your grass... Good Luck!

[Megich]

Hi , this i a helpful video and i'm new in this thing never done it before , but i want to know if there must be some soil in the newly starte compost or just the waste and scraps will do ?

Thanks a lot

[carpenterjai]

I echo the concerns using wood preservative. It's a pesticide and potent enough a chemical to keep away from anything to do with food and gardens. I suspect that for a cheap natural wood sealer that boiled linseed will work well for this kind of application. 2-3 coats will go a long way. Nice design on the bin!

[BhaktaNeal]

This guy gets merit for his compost bin instruction, but I wonder about the chems.

I personally glean (get for free) old pallets, and not worry about them "rotting". The pallets themselves are also composting, and are freely replaceable.

His attention to craftsmanship, however, is honorable.

An old man I know uses olive oil as a "mild" wood preservative, making last a bit longer, without toxifying the compost. Just a thought.

[MrMaleBee]

Chemicals

[jbibm81]

@teflod - I think you're right. That stuff constantly offgases. I'd stay away from it. Read the book "Cradle-to-Cradle" if you want to learn more about offgasing chemicals.

[teflod]

Isn't there a problem in using the preservative as the compost will potentially take up some of teh chemicals. This is not a great idea particularly if you are growing food. There is evidence that arsenic can be introduced in this way.

[Allen2045]

I was at Good Will the other day and a man was buying a used toy chest the large plastic kind made from fisher price I think. He said he was going to drill some holes in the bottom and use it for a compost bin closer to his house.. I bet it will work ok because those things are made to last.

[SaviourSole]

What a great question! I bet it would be ideal for them to be composted, but unless the volumes your bunnies and chickies produces is ENORMOUS it is probably perfectly fine raw.

Have fun!