Compost bin help please

[Ian White]

Hi guys

When i can get back on the plot i am going to level some ground and build my compost bin,could i put cardborad on the ground in the compost bin area.

Would it still work or do i need the stuff that i want to rot down to be on the ground

Thanks for any help.

All the best,Ian

[Pumpkin Becki]

Either way is okay Ian.
The big bonus of standing your bin direct on the ground, is that all the 'good stuff' will leach from your composting matter into the soil below. You can then either dig this up when you turn out your bin, and use it elsewhere on the plot, or you could move your bin altogether and plant into the soil left behind.

[Comfreyfan]

I think the cardboard will rot down quite quickly underneath the compost anyway, but it's usually recommended to start your compost on the bare earth, the worms and mini beasties can get up through and do their bit with the compost too!

[Bigmallly]

I think the cardboard will rot down quite quickly underneath the compost anyway, but it's usually recommended to start your compost on the bare earth, the worms and mini beasties can get up through and do their bit with the compost too!

I understand the theory but as my Darleks have plastic bases stood on concrete & it rots down pretty well...........Mind you the worms in Leeds are dead hard........

[Two_Sheds]

Why do you want to put cardboard down first?

If it's a mulch to stop weeds, then the compost bin itself will act as a light-blocker.

If you're trying to mulch couch grass or bindweed, it won't work. You need to dig them out before you site your bin. Bindweed especially will grow up and through your compost heap

[Ian White]

Why do you want to put cardboard down first?

If it's a mulch to stop weeds, then the compost bin itself will act as a light-blocker.

If you're trying to mulch couch grass or bindweed, it won't work. You need to dig them out before you site your bin. Bindweed especially will grow up and through your compost heap

Thanks for the replys so far,the reason for the cardboard is there were Brambles in the area,i have dug up the roots but i am sure i must have missed a bit some where ,so it was to stop them growing

The area is also next to the shed so i wanted to keep that area as a work area.

All the best,Ian

[rustylady]

the reason for the cardboard is there were Brambles in the area,i have dug up the roots but i am sure i must have missed a bit some where

It will take a lot more than cardboard to stop brambles growing Ian. However, the good news is that the new shoots are fairly easy to pull up.