anybody got a tip on how to make a good compost heap?
I have always used a three bay set up.
The theory is that you have one bay with compost you are using, one bay with a heap that is decomposing, and one bay you are filling up - and you rotate - as soon as you empty a bay you start puting down a new heap in that bay by cleaning off any weeds that have grown on the heap you have had decomposing - then that becomes the bay you are using.
That probably doesn't make a lot of sense - but it is easy if you see it in practice.
To build the bays you just need walls made out of sleepers or bricks - no cement bottom as contact with the earth helps worms go in and out and helps drainage so the heap doesn't get too wet.
When putting new stuff on a heap, cover the new material with a bit of compost from the heap you are using and the bacteria will spread to the new material quicker - and water it in as well.
Some people say you need to turn the heap over regularly, but i think that is too much work and not really necessary.
They say not to put meat in a compost heap because it attracts rats and other pests - including dogs - and it tends to stink.
It doesn't hurt to throw some poo into the heap, and the best way is a bag full of chook poo over the top of the heap before you add a new layer of plant material like garden waste, then a layer of compost from your heap in use, and then water it in - if you do it that way it doesn't smell - but if you just chuck chook poo on top it will stink for days or weeks.
