Am I doing my bin right?

[tweacle]

Hi there

I have a compost bin made out of an old plastic coal bunker. Ive cut the bottom out obviously to allow the worms etc in. Im putting fruit and veg peelings, grass cuttings, pond blanketweed and shredded paper in it.

Im also stirring it up with a fork about every 10 days or so. I keep reading that I should or should not stir it up. Can anyone advise. Ive also got no holes in the side for vents. Do I need these?

Can anyone point me in the right direction with the info I supplied as a newbe to all this. .

Thanks

[Lez]

compost making is a very individual thing. the experts say do this and that but you will find your own way forward and the best that suits you. leaving the bottom out your bin is fine and the worms will find it though where they come from who knows. don't buy any worms they will appear over time. as for air holes they say turn and airate compost every now and then but I found that to many holes cause the compost to dry out to quick. I line my pallett bins with black plastic and chuck everything in as I get it chopped up. when the bins full I leave it to do its own thing and is usually full of worms. try not to make it to dry with the amount of paper etc and then again not to wet. it is a matter of experimentation to find what suits you best. I do fork mine up every now and then to add oxygen. hope this helps you and good luck.

[tweacle]

give it a try. many thanks