A Conversation for Zen and the Art of Compost Making

A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 21

h5ringer

Two typos:

<> absorbtion --> absorption

footnote 6: biodegradeable --> biodegradable

<>
Should 'greenstuff' and 'birdlife' each be two separate words? Not sure.


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 22

h5ringer

Entry: Zen and the Art of Compost Making - A58243674
Author: A. Zanyblab - U10790805

And a page turner


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 23

Lanzababy - Guide Editor

Thank you so much!

Spellings corrected {absorption and biodegradable} smiley - smiley

I have changed birdlife into bird population but I have left greenstuff as it is a commonly used kitchen word for vegetables and salad.


I also have photographs if they would help - but I am not a member of the Community Artists group.


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 24

Not-so-bald-eagle

As per your request:

land fill -> landfill

kerb side -> kerbside

pet animals -> pets [suggestion only]

woodlice,slugs -> woodlice, slugs [space added]

purpose built -> purpose-built

tub shaped -> tub-shaped

simple heap, directly on the ground -> simple heap directly on the ground (suggestion)

free draining -> free-draining

compost making comes -> compost-making comes

money saving enterprise -> money-saving enterprise

Prevent any light from reaching these plants. Cover the heap at the top and the sides. -> Prevent any light from reaching these plants by covering the heap at the top and the sides. [suggestion]


Place the bin, if you are using one in a sheltered corner. -> Place the bin, if you are using one*,* in a sheltered corner. [comma]

If it is a heap *or container*, make sure it has adequate protection from the elements at both the top and the sides. -> suggestion only: delete 'or container'

In the "Yes" section, remove space after ( [twice]
and "No" section [once]

compost making -> compost-making

the speed by which the compost forms -> the speed of compost formation [suggestion]

Too much, or too often and it will smell -> Too much, or too often*,* and it will smell [comma]

btw [I don't know the answer] can 'updates' have a title change. I hope so, this is a good one.

smiley - coolsmiley - bubbly





A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 25

BigAl Patron Saint of Left Handers Keeper of the Glowing Pickle and Monobrows


"If this is now an update (?) what is the procedure please? I noticed Big Al's update has been dealt with."

This is what it says in 'Update Forum', and is what I did with mine:




... Except I didn't remove mine from PR as the Eds needed it there to transfer the PR thread, apparently.

A


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 26

Lanzababy - Guide Editor

land fill -> landfill smiley - ok

kerb side -> kerbside smiley - ok

pet animals -> pets [suggestion only]

no, because the sentence reads pet animals such as hamsters ... and it scans better with the word animals rather than just pets.

woodlice,slugs -> woodlice, slugs [space added] smiley - ok

purpose built -> purpose-built

tub shaped -> tub-shaped

simple heap, directly on the ground -> simple heap directly on the ground (suggestion) smiley - ok

free draining -> free-draining

compost making comes -> compost-making comes

money saving enterprise -> money-saving enterprise

Prevent any light from reaching these plants. Cover the heap at the top and the sides. -> Prevent any light from reaching these plants by covering the heap at the top and the sides. [suggestion]

smiley - ok and I have added 'completely' to this sentence as well.


Place the bin, if you are using one in a sheltered corner. -> Place the bin, if you are using one*,* in a sheltered corner. [comma]

If it is a heap *or container*, make sure it has adequate protection from the elements at both the top and the sides. -> suggestion only: delete 'or container'

I have amended these two sentences, as the bin and container were misplaced.

In the "Yes" section, remove space after ( [twice]
and "No" section [once]

I'm not understanding what you mean here?

compost making -> compost-making

the speed by which the compost forms -> the speed of compost formation [suggestion]

I like how I have written it better.

Too much, or too often and it will smell -> Too much, or too often*,* and it will smell [comma]

I didn't think you put a comma before 'and' ? perhaps I should lose the first comma?

btw [I don't know the answer] can 'updates' have a title change. I hope so, this is a good one.


As this started life as an entry in its own right ( the search engine came up with zilch when searching on 'Composting') smiley - rolleyes the title reflects how I constructed the piece.

I'm not so sure about all the hyphenated words. They are hard on the eyes, can I ask a sub editor for a second opinion please?


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 27

Lanzababy - Guide Editor

Thanks Al - I am between two stools here as I didn't start out as an Update.


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 28

Not-so-bald-eagle

>>>>>In the "Yes" section, remove space after ( [twice]
and "No" section [once]
smiley - erm mental shorthand. Sometimes there is an extra space after the opening parenthesis. This occurs twice in the 'Yes' section and once in the 'No' section.

I didn't think you put a comma before 'and' ? perhaps I should lose the first comma? I prefer without 1st comment, but as you're checking maybe get a 2nd opinion on this too

Can I ask a sub editor for a second opinion please? Of course


smiley - coolsmiley - bubbly


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 29

Lanzababy - Guide Editor

I went through and hyphenated all the compound adjectives, so now I have a sentence like this....

>>>The ultimate in garden compost-making comes when you have the space for a double-bayed, purpose-built wooden bin.


I shall check for superfluous spaces. after (...


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 30

Lanzababy - Guide Editor

smiley - ok all attended to, hyphens, commas, spaces.

Thank you.


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 31

Not-so-bald-eagle

smiley - ok

smiley - coolsmiley - bubbly


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 32

BigAl Patron Saint of Left Handers Keeper of the Glowing Pickle and Monobrows



Well, early on in my hootoo career I wrote an Entry (which is still unedited). Gnomon left me in no doubt that there can't be two Entries on the same topic (and covering the same ground) in the EG.

IMO you offer this as an Update to the one already in the EG, but with your preferred title. smiley - 2cents


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 33

Lanzababy - Guide Editor

Thanks Al smiley - ok


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 34

Lanzababy - Guide Editor

I am finished with this now - anyone available to advise or help with the transfer it over to the UPDATE forum, or wherever it should go to next please?


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 35

I'm not really here

sorry, just spotted this, some comments:

"Layers of waste materials are assembled over a few weeks and left to break down. During this time, the effect of the decomposition process will cause the heap ( or pile) to heat up. This will mean that weed seeds and some pests may be destroyed in the process. "

As the entry is about garden compost heaps I should point out that it will take MUCH MORE than 'a few weeks' to compost (as that bit implies), and it's extremely unlikely that a garden heap will get hot enough to kill weed seeds. Weeds gone to seed shouldn't be put on a garden compost heap - they should be put out for the council recyling if there is a scheme as their heaps are big enough to get hot enough.

"There should be a distinct layer of one type of materiel" --> material

"brown cardboard,2 sawdust and waste" sawdust doesn't decompose very well at all (it's very sloooooow) and shouldn't be put on a garden compost heap unless in *very* small quantities - so not enough to deal with the rabbit's hutch. If it's not decomposed it affects the balance of the soil.

"If there are a lot of fallen leaves, these may be placed into a pile of their own, and left for 12 months where they will produce a marvellous substance called leaf mould" Best to pop into a black bin liner and poke a few holes in. Less messy!

"Whatever form the composter takes, it should have a top covering, to prevent the heap from becoming too sodden with rainwater, or conversely, becoming completely dried out. "

I wouldn't say it *needs* a top covering. The one I've got hasn't got a cover and it's made great compost over the years. In very wet years (not many of those in Essex) I cover it with a bit of old carpet.

When talking about a home made compost heap, I'd suggest you mention it will work better on soil. I've seen them on concrete... Still works, but not so well.

You have forgotten to mention the time it will take, and also turning.

If you pile up the heap and ignore it (as I do, not bothering with layering or any of that stuff), the bottom will be lovely compost in around a year. Lift (or dismantle) the compost bin from around the heap and move to a new spot. Dig the uncomposted material back into the bin, the rest, spread.

Ideally the heap will be turned on a regular basis (although who has time for that!?) This will produce compost much much quicker, depending on how often you compost.

I'd also suggest that it's put reasonably close to the house. Most people put them at the bottom of the garden. When the kitchen bin is closer, and not a long wet walk in the dark and rain, it's going to win.

Er, one more suggestion - tell us how we can use this for our potted plants etc please. smiley - smiley Also how to make liquid feed from nettles? That fits with the entry./


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 36

I'm not really here

"This will produce compost much much quicker, depending on how often you compost."

Sorry, that should have been "depending on how often you turn the heap."


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 37

Lanzababy - Guide Editor

Hi Mina - thanks for reading this smiley - smiley

In reply to your comments

you wrote:
>>I should point out that it will take MUCH MORE than 'a few weeks' to compost

I wrote

materials are **assembled** over a few weeks

I will change the following sentence

to 'During the next few weeks or months, depending on the time of year...

>>>>
weed seeds and some pests may be destroyed in the process. "

note I only say 'may', but I will expand on how to prevent weed germination from home made compost.

smiley - biro thanks for the typo {material} corrected smiley - ok

You say you have had problems with rabbit hutch waste? I can't say I ever experienced this, as the children had a lot of pets, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and loads of rabbits. The animal droppings seemed to break the sawdust down fast enough in my opinion. And I do say that compost is not a garden fertiliser, but a mulch and soil conditioner.

smiley - biro you wrote:

>>"If there are a lot of fallen leaves, these may be placed into a pile of their own, and left for 12 months where they will produce a marvellous substance called leaf mould" Best to pop into a black bin liner and poke a few holes in. Less messy!<<<

I totally agree, indeed could there be anything more heavenly? I thought of writing this myself, but as I was concentrating on compost heaps, I ignored it. I will add the suggested phrase.

( I used to get very strange looks from my visitors, who would glance at the black bags, but never ask what was inside!) smiley - rofl

smiley - biroYou wrote:
>>I wouldn't say it *needs* a top covering. The one I've got hasn't got a cover and it's made great compost over the years. In very wet years (not many of those in Essex) I cover it with a bit of old carpet.<<

I think anyone not experienced in making compost at all should best be advised to cover their heap. I live ( and have lived ) in extremely wet parts of the country, and most experts advise covering their heaps. It also retains heat.

smiley - biroYou wrote>>>>

When talking about a home made compost heap, I'd suggest you mention it will work better on soil. I've seen them on concrete... Still works, but not so well.

I'll read and revise as I think I was ambiguous, I said 'directly on the ground' - perhaps I was thinking directly on the soil? I've never made one on concrete.

smiley - biroYou wrote:>>>

You have forgotten to mention the time it will take, and also turning.

Do you mean the weeks it will take to build, or the time it will take to turn to compost? And I do mention turning, when discussing the merits of a heap or a bin. Also I mention that some parts will not be completely decomposed.

Have another look at the end of the section on problem solving and let me know if you still think it is not clear enough?

Re: the long walk to the compost bin smiley - laugh Perhaps I should mention the halfway house - a small bucket? with a lid to keep the daily kitchen scraps separate from the household rubbish.


smiley - sorryNo suggestions as to how compost could be used for house plants but I have used leaf mould as an additive to John Innes for outdoor potted plants. As garden compost is so relatively low in nutrients, I am only recommending it as a soil conditioner. I think pot plants need much more balanced conditions, and also sterilised potting compost to prevent any diseases being introduced to specimen plants.


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 38

Lanzababy - Guide Editor

I think I've done with this now.

smiley - zen


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 39

Lanzababy - Guide Editor

I've read the information on How to Update an Entry - and this is ready, as far as I can ascertain.

I am going to post a notice on the EF thread, as per instructions.


Thanks everyone for helping with this!


A58243674 - Zen and the Art of Compost Making

Post 40

Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor

Is there a specific reason for the outside link to Earthworms when there's a perfectly good H2G2 EGE? A531983

waste = there's a gap there, between the link tag and the word "waste", which creates an overhanging link. There should be no gaps (except between the word LINK and the next word) unless you're adding a TITLE tag to non-EGE links

slugs (should be no gap in the link)

slow worms = move "slow" up to the link tag

hedgehogs = move "hedgehogs" up to the link tag

Methane is one of the greenhouse gases
=
insert a space between "the "
move the word "greenhouse" up to the link tag so it should read:
"Methane is one of the greenhouse gases"smiley - ok

garden peat move the word "garden" up to the link tag and there should be no gap after HREF

carbon sink.
=
move the word "carbon" up to the link tag

earthworm
should be:
earthworm or just replace that with earthworm

Spread the mulch to at least 4 inches in depth, on top of an already moist soil.
=
Move the word "Spread" up to the footnote tag

wormery should be
wormery

This is where much food waste and such like are now converted by heat treatment..
Gap between the footnote tag and the first word shouldn't be there

sawdust = A24591341

dog waste disposal system
should be
dog waste disposal system

fertiliser,
should be
fertiliser,

smiley - ok
GB
smiley - galaxysmiley - diva


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