me again, talk me through composting please. do i really NEED to buy a special bin?

[OracleInaCoracle]

or will a normal lidded bin do?

how do i start?

i am a total novice!!

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

I think you need a special bin so that you can get the compost out of the bottom, otherwise you'd have to stop putting new stuff on and then let it all turn ot compost.

Also the special bins don't have basis, so worms can get inside.

I think.

[Catilla]

You can get a special bin free/cheap from most councils - try your council website.

[OracleInaCoracle]

ah thank you. and do i just dump veg peelings etc in there?

[OracleInaCoracle]

oo thank you! have been on recycle now

[Granny23]

Lots of composting web sites you can check out. We started with our old dustbin when council issued wheelie bins. It worked fine (remember to punch some air holes near the bottom), but was the devil to empty. Our council had a special 'Compost Bins for £3.00' day and hundreds of people turned up - they ran out of bins and had to organise another day. Proper bin has a flap at the bottom where you can shovel out the compost when it is ready.

IMO the secret of successful composting is WORMS. When I am digging or weeding, I have a jar and grab every worm I find and pop them in the compost bin. When emptying the bin I scoop up as many worms as possible and put them back to work in the bin where they breed like rabbits!

[OracleInaCoracle]

thanks, am hoping to get ds involved too (he loves worms)