Compost - to cover or not to cover?
Hi All
I have been making compost for quite a few years - well trying to! I get maybe two barrow loads after two years of adding, turning, blah blah blah. I have had some good heat, obviously most notably when the grass cuttings or plant shredding in autumn goes on top. I have two self constructed wooden cubes with air gaps. Farmers, I think, put black plastic over their heaps in the fields. So should I do the same and if so would it be worth putting something thicker for greater insulation. I know it might be awkward when turning but if it improves my yield I can live with it. BTW I think I do the normal things like green and brown waste and turning, even tried mixing in industrial wood shreddings. It all works but very slowly. I live in Dorset but I do not think external temperature that important. Any thoughts?
Cheers
Bob
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Posts
If it's an open top heap, you could put another sheet of plastic on top of the carpet to keep the rain off the carpet.
keep it turned, but be careful as it gets very hot in the middle.
I'd not use polypropylene carpet.
IMHO you only need about a 2" gap at the bottom to allow air to be drawn in. I think you're just losing heat with all those gaps.
Looking at you photo again, I would say there’s plenty enough in there, don’t add anymore, it looks quite compressed, you need to fluff it up a bit so there’s air in there.
with the paper you put on, it’s a good idea to screw it into balls, that way there will be air pockets.
I would take that fresh stuff of the top, turn it with a garden fork then up turn into the other side and cover with carpet p, fill in the spaces and leave until the bin is full again, then the left hand side should be ready for bagging up until you want to use it.