Make your own garden compost - the really simple guide

[@chrissforza6405]

Thank you, Alexandra. Today you taught me that fertilizer feeds plants whereas garden compost feeds soil. That's a critical point for me as it has to do with timing. Thank you sooo very much for today's information. Your videos are the very best source for practical, valuable information that enhances the whole gardening experience. You are such a great teacher!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@auntfanny3266]

Last year, in a bid to interest him in the garden, I put my husband in charge of the composting. He has taken to it in the zealous, nerdy, way that I was hoping for! I am astonished at how much first rate compost he is producing. I think this year will really see a huge difference in production in the garden.

[@jucjuc314]

Great video again, thank you for your time! 🤗 I wish I had enough place for an 'easy' compost pile. In my small garden I often take the effort and cut up a small amount of soft plant waste with pruners and tuck it under the hedge, under the mulch. I always see birds picking around those piles and there are earthworms enjoying their life in there, so the effort is worth it 😊Greetings Judit

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's an excellent tip and I do love seeing birds poke around (even better when they come up with a snail).

[@myraduffy9278]

I have watched so many videos and read so many articles and books on this subject... This is the very, very best breakdown of all that I really needed to know and how to do it! It will revolutionise my composting - and - more importantly - revolutionise my soil. I cannot thank you enough! Love the videos!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You're very welcome!

[@sueo4528]

When I do a heavy weeding, I put the weeds in a large black plastic bag. I close it up and place it out of the way - but where it will get some sun. After a few months this can be added to my compost pile.

[@mariedeyo7399]

I do too and the same with leaves later in the year. 👍🙂

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good tip!

[@gerdaho1]

This works well for ivy and bindweed too, only leave the bags for a year. Best bags are compost bags turned black side out, they are UV tolerant and last for years.

[@nicoletamane5956]

Fantastic video, just what I need to hear before building my garden compost bin. Thank you for all your great videos.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@stephenroberts8142]

Just wanted to thank you for this and all your other videos. Much appreciate how you get to the important points quickly and summarise so helpfully. Lovely dog too!

[@galvinsgarden]

Wonderful video, thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@gardeningjunkie2267]

Excellent video. I just want to add my experience. I generally buy compost however I have accidentally created compost in about 7 months. I had gathered up all my fall clippings and left them in a large, brown paper lawn clippings bag. I never did end up getting it to the street to be taken away. Instead it just sat all fall and all winter long. Then when I came along in spring and went to move it, it all just all fell apart in my hands because inside was this heavy rich compost. I didn't do a thing to it. I'm guessing all that freezing and thawing, somehow helped it decompose quickly. We did have a pretty mild winter with basically no snowfall but did have enough cold to have a really good tulip show. This year I did the same thing but intentionally. So my bags are waiting for me and I'm really looking forward to what I'll find.

[@susanforet2117]

Thanks for the great info! 💐

[@karlagrant3405]

Thanks for this very informative and useful video. Enjoyed it!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@terrimueller5269]

LOVE your channel! I use three coated wire bins next to each other (just like your wood ones.) We have tons of fall leaves, which I rake into one huge pile on the driveway and then run over them with the mower to chop them up. These shredded eaves basically fill an entire bin (even with using some as winter mulch.) I use these to top dress my kitchen scraps and green materials, creating layers, in the second bin. This layered bin starts filling up as the leaf bin goes down. Once the layered bin is full, I leave it alone to cook (I’ve never turned or stirred my pile) and start the adding stuff to bin #3. About a year later, that 2nd bin will be compost...I empty it out and it’s now available for more leaves. Over time, I’ve found that each fall I’m usually able to pull compost from one bin to top dress the garden, bin #2 continues to cook, #3 continues building and by the time I’ve finished pulling compost from #1, it’s ready for the fall leaves and the roast at ion continues. Make sense? Oh, I have the same wire square for a lid.

[@wellingtonsboots4074]

Thank you, enjoyed this. Learning more about composting is always good

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@DeHoeveOldBelgianFarm]

Very informative, many thanks for this video! When we placed 2 garden compost bins, it reduced our household waste a lot. It is unbelievable how many eat rests we produce...

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Absolutely.

[@cathybranly1839]

Good morning. I don't have room on my small garden, but I really enjoyed the information.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@juliekane1156]

One of the first things I did when I moved here 18 years ago was to mark off a work area at the very back of the garden. Then we put together a three bin compost system using T-posts and wire mesh. Each bin has three sides, leaving the front open. By the time I've filled the third bin, the compost is the first bin is well-made, dark and of an even consistency. The whole thing cost just over $100, plus maybe 2 hours to bang in the posts and hang the wire. (I do add some Compost Starter after the big spring clean-up or when we turn a pile. Otherwise, I do nothing. Easy-peasy.) Thanks, Alexandra, for the great video.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

So good to have an open front, I wish I'd done the same. Thank you.

[@debbebunch9973]

EXCELLENT! CONCISE AND EASY TO GRASP! THANK YOU!!! 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@janetbull2616]

Appreciate this well explained video

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bethiakittify]

Excellent tutorial, Alexandra, just what I needed! Thank you so much.

[@paulinecrispin121]

I try to get a bag of farm manure to mix in with my garden and veg waste. This seems to quicken the prosses up. Some time ago you did a mindfulness video to help deal with stess. Would you consider doing another video to help with relaxation etc?

[@paulinecrispin121]

PS. I also add a handful of blood, fish and bone to the compost every now and then.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I will definitely think about it, and thank you for the composting tips.

[@laurieanne9712]

i'M INSPIRED TO DO MORE COMPOSTING. THANK YOU!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Wonderful!

[@shirleywilson5959]

Great to see how to stir your compost bin, thanks for that 🙂

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

My pleasure!

[@GrannysGarden]

Great video Alexandra with all aspects of composting broken down into bite sized pieces. I don't like the plastic bell shaped composting bins either and people tend to put them right next to the house I suppose for easy access from the kitchen for food scraps, but quite an eyesore!!. I much prefer the wooden ones you have.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you. I agree, definitely an eyesore and irritating to use.

[@RevAcres01]

Enjoyed the video perfect timing looking to prepare my gardens this spring with compost you answered a lot of my questions.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nancylezama6277]

As always a well done video!!! You are my new favorite KZbin gardening channel !!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks 👍

[@kathyfarnsworth9564]

Hi again. I already commented about composting in place - where I need compost, but I wanted to add to it. I live in the outskirts of a golf course community and of course we have an HOA. I wish I could have sent you some photos. I really needed compost in the front yard in my shrub border and due to a serious spine infection in 2009 - I can't really wheel barrel loads of compost. Over the holidays I placed a wreath over the black pineapple, which sits on top of my composter. No letters from the HOA because, I believe, my composter doesn't quite look like a composter. Have a good day Alexandra.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting!

[@kathyfarnsworth9564]

Hello Alexandra, So I guess I should tell you I'm getting older and lazy. I no longer turn my compost. I've never sifted my compost and now, I barely move my compost. With each new garden bed, I try to locate the perfect spot for my generic black composter. In doing so, I don't have to move heavy compost great distances. I understand it's better for generating heat if composters are black, but I want my humble composter to look more artistic in my garden. I spray painted a heavy pineapple sculpture I found at a flee market, black oiled bronze and placed it on top of the composter. On another composter, I placed a stone owl on top. I fill the composter in layers: ground up leaves, clippings, kitchen waste, egg shells and coffee grounds. Also, about four different times I will add in a layer of finished organic compost to help it break down. When it's full, I wiggle off the composter and relocate it to the next new garden area needing compost. Then, I do one of two things to the pile of compost left behind: I either top off the pile with some finely ground mulch and let it sit for a couple months until I'm ready to spread it, or I spread the unfinished compost right away with a strong metal rake and top it with a layer of finely ground mulch. Either way, it continues to break down (sheet composting), and I don't have to see egg shells and unfinished compost. I have two favorite garden sayings I use regarding mulch and compost: "No one knows what lies beneath" and "Mulch is the lipstick of the garden".

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@mauracurran3270]

I would like a video on hot composting as I have purchased a hot composter. How can I keep temperature up in Winter. Thanks for all your inspiring videos.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you. I'm sorry that I don't have a hot composting video, and I don't know one to recommend, but I think the company you purchased the bin from should have good advice (I hope!). It is something I'm thinking about, but probably not in time for you. I'm reasonably certain that because hot bins are so well insulated, then they create their own heat in winter and summer.

[@bluesky7226]

Here in the Colorado prairie I must add water to my compost to help the breakdown. It takes a long time to break down if it's in a lot of sun or doesn't have the moisture. Thanks for the great video!

[@BeautifulOaks]

I like your composting video. What’s your view on worm compost bins? My composting worms are my garden buddies. I really like my tumbler compost bin and found it’s been worth the investment! In the summertime, it will give me two collections worth. The bin is above ground and I don’t have to bend over much to collect decomposed matter. It saves a lot of time and energy from the shuffling of vegetation typical compost bins need. Of course, the smaller the leaves and vegetation that goes in any bin, the quicker the decomposition.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I didn't include tumbling composters because I haven't had personal experience of one, and had seen a few poor reviews online so it's interesting to hear of good experiences. And wormeries are great.

[@Ellengin]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I have one, it gets very heavy which makes it very difficult to turn the handle to rotate the bin.

[@susanbrookes8247]

As usual an excellent video Alessandra...chucking out all those myths.... Thanks a lot

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@caroleprete2367]

Another well-organized, thorough and easy-to-understand video. It will change the way I compost. I wasn’t using enough brown material. Thank you for your videos.

[@erikalucas769]

I found this video really informative. I have a large garden and have ordered a wooden compost bin and am looking forward to composting this year. Thank you so much

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you. Good luck with your composting.

[@Diariesofmemory]

I've added, those compostable tupperware or coffee mug thing that I've dumped into the compost bin, I feel like they compost relatively quick similar to the compostable plastic bag. I also agree about those dalek compost bin hate it, when I want to turn it takes forever, debating to buy a wooden compost bin instead. Also debating to get a Shredder in hopes my compost breaks down quicker since its shredded. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you. Love the term 'dalek' - it's so appropriate. We really did find the shredder speeded the compost up, although it does take a certain amount of time to actually shred things.

[@jmeaton9538]

This is so helpful, thank-you. I really enjoy your KZbin channel and have learnt so much from you : )

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@marianneeverettdevink5845]

another wonderful useful video, many thanks

[@DS-qg6ox]

Couple of questions: have heard that both some sunlight as well as rain is helpful for a compost. Or is an entirely shady/darker area tucked away okay? Am enjoying your channel...all the way from michigan, USA

[@susanrieske4258]

Pallets make great compost bins can can often be found for free. I wire them together so I can just take off the front panel to harvest compost. Easy peasy...as you would say. 😂 Thanks for the great video. I'm going to try your stirring method.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Great tip!

[@j.m.7056]

This way an excellent presentation of compost! Thanks, Alexandra for all your work!

[@deano1018]

Another wonderful and informative video. Thanks so much!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michellebeissel3937]

On point video comme habitude! I love that tip of piercing compost with a fork/spade, rotating/twisting it, and then pulling it up. Sounds like a lot less expended effort than forking a mass of compost to another area in order to turn it. I had used the hot method when I first started because the garden had been neglected, and I wanted to build up the soil fast. Then I discovered green manure which involved planting quick growing mustard, tansy, etc into the block beds where we wanted to grow veggies. In two months time before they went to seed, they were mowed down and lightly forked into the earth. Wow! Rapid improvement of both fertility and structure of the soil. Oak leaves break down much faster than many other kinds, still takes about a year. There's a copse nearby, and we ferry bags to our garden, pile the leaves up, cover with bird netting secured with stones/roofing tiles. Leaf mulch increases the moisture retentiveness of the soil manifold (we have very hot, dry summers in south France). A bit more controversial tip is, which I got from Kew Gardens, is urinating on the compost piles which adds nitrogen. One last technique is growing comfrey which is great for teas but also is a compost accelerant.

[@mariedeyo7399]

Lol I can just see the folks in the garden next to mine, me standing in the compost bin and peeing in it. Good gravy, that's funny. 😁 better not here in germany, I get a fine for anruly behavior. Greetings over the border 🙋🏼‍♀️ have a great and safe garden year. 🌻

[@michellebeissel3937]

@@mariedeyo7399 , thank you. Vous aussi! (a bucket in a discreet place is your friend, mine is yellow, lol)

[@mariedeyo7399]

@@michellebeissel3937 good one Michelle, just the color for it. 👍😁😁😁😁.. but I think I am not gonna try it. And there is to think of medication, if someone takes any and I do. So thats a nono for me. Good for the folks next door, no mooning. 😄 have a nice evening. 🙋🏼‍♀️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, that's all very interesting. I have tried to suggest the Kew Gardens tip but don't get any takers in this household!

[@feeonaghchambers7403]

Super video Alexandra! I would love to make compost but like other contributors below ( 2gooddrifters) I have previously had problems with rats who basically took up residence in my compost bin. I am vegetarian so there was definitely no meat, fish, poultry or dairy waste in there & I did get some rather good compost but the rats became a real nuisance. I gave up composting because of the rats. I have a small/ medium urban garden.

[@julesdavis1845]

Very useful info. Thank you.

[@gerdaho1]

Such a good video. I do use my garden compost for pots and seed trays, mixed with some coarse sand and soil. It works fine for me, but this year I noticed some of the corn seedlings got their tips eaten off before breaking the soil by the compost worms still in the compost. Other veg was fine, but I hated losing the (expensive) corn plants. When I sieve the compost, some worms come along, but for corn I will remove them from now on.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting, thank you1

[@AliciaS57]

Thank you, Alexandra for your informative and well thought out compost tips. I really appreciate you!

[@rashmitalwar8594]

I dear Alexandra, loved your video .... How about rotating bins for composting .... Aren't they better than rotating a fork in the compost pile ?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I haven't tried rotating bins myself, but I checked them on some review sites, and they didn't all get good reviews, and when the bin gets full, it can be hard to rotate, apparently. There are some comments on this thread from people who have found rotating bins a good option. I'm also not sure whether they would be easy to store - I think in my garden they would be more noticeable than the three bins. But they're certainly worth considering.

[@rashmitalwar8594]

Thank you ❤️

[@catrinahiggins6442]

Establishing a new garden, so this video was really helpful and full of great tips. Thank you.

[@redbanana6841]

Dont add loads of sawdust. Haha, I've learned that the hard way. But I've started throwing everything in a cheap food processor before putting it in the compost bin. Fingers crossed for a quicker yield!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a good idea, it should speed it up a lot.

[@bettyjohnson7762]

I'd love to see more frequent videos from you

[@pertelote4526]

The lady uploads her videos regularly, once a week.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, and I'd love to do more, but each one takes me several days (I'm a bit slow at it). But maybe in the summer, when there's lots to photograph, I can add some more.

[@growraise-happydays6618]

Fantastic info. Just what I was after. New subscriber 👋

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@feathernow]

Very informative, thank you! I have a lot of couch grass and other perennial weeds. I've put them into water over winter, can I put these into my cold compost, or use the water as a fertiliser?

[@nspector]

Hello, you didn't mention compost tumblers, which have mechanisms to turn the compost so you don't have to do it with a shovel or fork. Many brands are poorly made, and the good ones are expensive. But I found two used Envirocycles, which are like little well made tanks, at about 1/4 their new price, which is $290 USD. They're not huge -- hold 35 gallons each -- and I'm still working on getting things to compost faster, but wanted to mention. Another really good one that is large -- 88 gallons -- is Mantis. Very expensive at $650 USD, but I have a friend who found two used ones last season for $200 each. They are insulated which seems to speed things up greatly. My friend got compost in a ridiculous 6 weeks. But he also cut things up very small.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting - I hadn't used the tumblers myself which is why I didn't include them. But I saw a review site that agreed with you - that many brands are poorly made, and thanks for the info on the better brands.

[@cristinaarcese4238]

Ciao! Questo video è molto istruttivo. Complimenti👏👏👏

[@mariedeyo7399]

Hello Alexandra, very good Video! I like the Tipp with the gardenfork. Thank you for that. I am finely out again after having the flu all week and today first day back in the garden. I cleaned out the corner where the compost bins are going. I have plastic with lids but they are square. Big opening, and they work pretty good. Also there is a granulate that can be sprinkled in the compost. Its called something like fast compost and it has microbs or something in it , that will help brake down everything faster. Organic!!!! I buy it in gardencenters or even on sale at Aldi. Do you have something like that in the UK? And sometimes I water the compost and I dry eggshells in the microwave first, then crumble when dry and they brake down better, that helps too. Newspaper or cut up cardboard helps too but no shiny print ones!!! I think that has part plastic on top and remove the plastic Wrap or metal Clips. What is happening in your veg beds this year? Hope you have a good week. Stay safe, bye 🌻🙋🏼‍♀️

[@gloglos100]

Did ho composting with lawn clippings from a very large garden. I watered Nd turned it every couple of days so it did not ash. This means a very large pile broke down quickly in. Week or two and I got green jelly out of mine at times,

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting!

[@davidevans533]

Would introducing worm's etc be helpful in composting? Excuse me if it's a daft question, new to gardening

[@Neldidellavittoria]

Hi, Alexandra. I'm still thinking about your shady corner. How about a water feature there? Or are they better in the sun? Also, there are some shrubs which are well suited for shade. Perhaps yew or holly? And how about periwinkle as a ground cover? I don't know if it does well in winter in your climate, and it's true it may be a bit invasive, but it can be kept within its boundaries. I've used it for a specially dry-shady area when I had a big-sized garden (oh the memories!) and I never regretted it.

[@barbaraannchestnutt9193]

What kind or organic garden fertilizer do you recommend? I’m in The foothills in Northern California. Love watching your channel. Thanks.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I generally use my own garden compost or well rotted horse or cow manure. It's usually available commercially, although it may be best to check that it comes from organic farms or farms that don't use aminopyralids as these tend to stay in the manure and can kill off garden plants.

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

I enjoyed all the information from today’s episode, but I would watch just to listen to your accent!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@josiepalmer676]

Hello, what do you do with your rose prunings etc? I compost but tend to exclude the most troublesome weeds I have in my garden (bramble, ground elder, bindweed, Spanish bluebells) plus rose leaves and prunings. I like the tip Re drowning the weeds, may try that, but don’t want to spread even more black spot etc than I already have! I would add that since investing in a chipper/shredder it’s wonderful how much less ‘waste’ needs to leave the garden!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I agree, I dont compost the troublesome weeds, they go to the municipal recycling centre, but at least they are the only things that do leave the garden.

[@humafarmsystem1894]

Composting is very very simple, because All organic materials will be decomposed by microorganism or fungi. We've been made a bag of compost from grass and dry leafs, they are abundance around our house. We only collect them all, put it on the planter bags, and leave them without any treatments. Only in 30 days, we can earn the compost. Very simple and easy.....

[@dianepuskas6362]

Thank you for your informative video! I also add lint from dryer and dog hair (I have two fuzzy Keeshonds) to my compost piles. I have a question for you: do you think it is worth it to add materials during the cold winter months to your compost bins? Thanks again

[@PatriciaG99]

I know you'd like Alexandra to answer your question but my reply is absolutely yes. I keep adding all I can get to my compost throughout the year. In the winter it's mostly kitchen scraps but mix with cardboard and ash from the wood burner.

[@dianepuskas6362]

@@PatriciaG99 , thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good tip! Yes, I add material whenever I need to get rid of it. Certainly I've been putting all our raw fruit and veg scraps from food preparation out there, and any clippings. I don't think it rots down particularly quickly in the winter, but it gets going quite quickly in spring.

[@bluebell5704]

Not sure if I missed it in your video but is there an ideal spot to place compost bins (we live in woodland).

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I should have said! The RHS say that a shady spot is good because you get fewer fluctuations of temperatures but I think almost anywhere that fits in with your garden design would work.

[@bluebell5704]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thank you so much. Your informative post has inspired me to try composting again.

[@julieconnolly5800]

I noticed adding poultry manure to the garden compost bin wasn't mentioned, was there any particular reason for not adding it?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

just forgot it, but good point. Yes, poultry manure can be added to compost!

[@pansepot1490]

My compost heap has become a nursery for “cetonia aurata”, a big showy bug that eats flowers. Roses, irises, peonies and callas lilies were infested last year. ☹️ With a small pile it’s difficult if not impossible to reach the high temperatures that would make it inhospitable for damaging insects.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh, dear, that doesn't sound good.

[@ann-maureenowens9818]

What about egg shells?

[@PatriciaG99]

I always stick them in but they can usually be seen still in the compost when it's ready. I try to crush them small, adds texture I guess.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I do put eggshells in, but like Patricia Gannon, I find they take longer to rot down.

[@mariedeyo7399]

Put your egg shells in the microwave till dry, than crumble up and no more Problem. Clean under water first or it can get a mess from runny eggwhite. 🙂

[@MichaelOssen]

I bought 7 bags of store bought compost and threw it over all my beds, will that have any positive effect on soil improvement?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm not entirely sure - store bought potting compost is designed for plants in pots rather than for mulching on the soil, but it should help somewhat I think.

[@MichaelOssen]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thank you so much!

[@BongSnay007]

If you are really thankful, please share your love to help me reach 100, 000!

[@2gooddrifters]

I make my own compost Charles Dowding is my guru for this. My only problem , a big problem, is rats love my compost heap I have no personal problem with this but the fleas they leave behind in the heap bite me. I have four lovely red marks on my feet despite wearing socks, tucking into my Jean's, they still bite me. I try to turn my heaps but rats running out really freak me out. I persevere. I've seen no advice about rats. I have a middle to large garden.

[@mariedeyo7399]

Normaly you dont have rats unless you put cooked food or meat, fish or anything else from meateaters. Like the catbox or so. I grew up with compost bins and never had rats. Mice, sure but not rats. Think about what goes into your compost. Or is someone else putting some in that does not belong there ?? I would also have a big Problem with rats. I feel with you, all the best.

[@feeonaghchambers7403]

I had the same problem with rats in my compost bin ! I am a lifelong vegetarian so there was definitely NO meat, fish poultry etc in there. They caused a great deal of damage creating tunnels etc. I did away with my compost bin & haven’t had the confidence to try composting again. I have a small/medium urban garden.

[@mariedeyo7399]

That is interesting. I guess it may be what we call a rat run and thats always bad News. You are right, if you have that you will only get rid of them by getting rid of the compost or by calling for help and getting rid of the rats. So did you get rid of the rats with getting rid of the compost all together ? Often they just go and start going to look for other places of food.

[@feeonaghchambers7403]

Marie Deyo Yes, getting rid of the compost bin entirely pretty much got rid of the problem. I have had the occasional sighting of a lone rat in the garden (not surprising as my garden borders the line of an old railway track that has been developed as a green nature walkway and is teeming with all sorts of wildlife) but when I had a compost bin I was over run with them, it was like rat hotel! Even when I kept a few pet chickens I did not have the rat problem I had when there was a compost bin!

[@mariedeyo7399]

@@feeonaghchambers7403 that is even more interesting. Chicken, eggs, chicken feed that often is a Problem nur also it could be a Problem next door or two. You never know what the folks down the street put in there compost and thats how a run starts sometimes. I dont know how much you have to compost but how about a closed System? That can be as smal as a Bukett with a tight closing lit. Some use a jar with lit and spout, so you can use the liguid , like a wurmery. Just thinking. 🙋🏼‍♀️

[@RoseMary-vs3io]

👌👍

[@donnabauerofbrilliancebyde1178]

Do the bins attract rodents? Does it matter if it is in the shade ?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Compost bins are good in the shade, according to the RHS, because the temperature stays more constant. And I suspect rodents do get involved, but if you avoid leaving cooked food or raw meat or fish remains, you should be OK. Lottie seems very interested in our compost bins sometimes but I've never actually spotted any signs of rodents.

[@kiafreeman8778]

You do realize that "composting" plastic is just creating micro-plastic? Why would you want that in your garden? Or anywhere else for that matter?

[@francesnustedt9036]

I'm sure you'll find Kia that the compostable plastic bags are not actually plastic at all. They are made from vegetable matter.

[@kiafreeman8778]

​@@francesnustedt9036 Point taken. Even so, the "compostable" label on plastics is misleading. It means "compostable" under the right industrial conditions, *not* in a home compost bin. See, e.g., www.bbc.com/future/article/20191030-why-biodegradables-wont-solve-the-plastic-crisis. Trying to compost these plastics in your home compost bin is a mistake.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting comment, so I did some research. There are three types of allegedly compostable plastic. 'Biodegradable' which is fairly meaningless as it just means it breaks down faster than normal plastic. 'Oxo degradable' which breaks down into micro plastics and is banned in some countries. And 'compostable' which is made from vegetable matter, such as sugar cane or potato starch, and is required to compost down leaving no residues (so no micro plastics) in 12 weeks. The bags I get from the Co-op are 'compostable' but they are only extras - I usually take my own bags, so it's just if I forget. The research agreed with you that the aim should be to re-use rather than to manufacture single use anything. There appears to be considerable confusion as to whether 'compostable' is home composting only or can also go into local authority green waste systems. I suspect it is different in different countries.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

There's conflicting advice out on that one - there were several authoritative articles that said 'compostable' was ONLY suitable for home composting. I'd usually regard the BBC as very thorough, but there were more articles saying that 'compostable' is only suitable for home composting, not for local authority green waste than there were for the BBC point of view. However, there are no 'plastics' or petro-chemicals involved either way, the issue is whether the way the material breaks down affects the different systems.

[@kiafreeman8778]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I think this website clears up the "compostable" standards for bioplastics in your area: www.bpf.co.uk/topics/standards_for_compostability.aspx. In sum, home compostable standards have *not* yet been established. Of course, there are strong incentives for plastic manufacturers to mislead the public. I wish composting were less problematic. I have not composted yet because I am concerned about attracting *more* critters, already having an excess. Regardless, I remain a big fan of your work!!!

[@earlydawn8183]

Watch out for rats if you use kitchen waste like potato peelings or fruit skins on your compost heap.