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Hay bale compost bins
I have a large garden, about 5 acres, and need to make a really good large-scale compost system. I wondered about using old hay bales to construct it as I thought the insulation would be good and it would be cheaper than making it out of wood. (we already have the bales).
First question is: Has anyone tried this, is it a good idea? Any tips, like how many bales high would be ideal for the walls, and should I have 2 compartments or one huge one?
Also, are there reasons this would be inadvisable?
Finally, I am learning about composting and now know that a mixture of stuff like cardboard should be mixed with the plant matter so it doesn't end up as a slimy mess, but is it best to put the cardboard on flat, in layers, or do I need to scrumple it up, or tear it up before adding it? Also should I wet it first or add it dry?
We also have many old sheep fleeces we could add, should I tear them up first or chuck them on whole in a big woolly layer?
I have been a dismal failure at compost all my life so all tips very welcome.
If you have the spare bales, this will work but they become quite rotten within a year and slump to less than half the original height, so new ones are needed on a regular basis, with the old ones added to the heap, but tending to bring quite a few dock and grass seeds I find.
Cardboard will help but it can go soggy; I break it into smaller pieces and use mostly brown, as shiny board rots poorly. Something more fibrous like old straw is better at holding some air in a heap. If you do end up with sogginess, turning the whole heap to admit air is a remedy, and covering with polythene to keep rain out, after a heap is finished.
Fleeces rot very slowly as the wool's lanolin repels water and they definitely need tearing or cutting up, maybe with a rotary lawnmower? Good luck!
Thank you so much, I never thought of the hay seeds. What a nightmare that would be.
Thank you also for all the information re cardboard, straw and fleeces. I am determined to make great compost this time, so it's going to be big wooden ones.
Have just ordered your book Winter vegetables. Don't know how you find the time to write as well as everything else.