To Emulate is to Flatter

It's nice to know that Bill Blunt leads the way. My earlier posts about the pleasures of cutting the lawn clearly inspired Mystic Veg to set up a fine blog dedicated to the delights of 'growing your own'. More power to his trowel, is what I say.

However, it's a brave man indeed that ever accused Bill Blunt of resting on his laurels. I can spot a niche being invaded when I see it, so I thought my readers would like to share my recent education in the art of constructing a compost bin. You never know when you may need to do this, after all, and I am pleased to say that I have had the opportunity to learn what I am about to impart at the knee of a master - Dave 'The Compost' Perry, from North London.

I must say, it looked pretty easy to me. All you need is a lot of bits of 3" x 3" wood about 12 feet long, a saw, a few screws and a screwdriver, and copious amounts of pre-treated plywood.

Of course, Dave kept the precise instructions for the construction of the frame close to his chest. Much noise was heard from the garage, late at night, as the bin took form.

I was able to catch a few photographs of the bin being made, but only by plying Dave with a large amount of local red wine. As you will see, it is an elaborate, three bin affair, allowing the compost to be regularly 'turned' from one bin to another. That, he led me to believe, was the secret of good compost.


Once bin one and two were 'fully loaded' with a mix of grass clippings, vegetable peelings and mulched up trees, I was invited to join in the ritual 'watering' of the compost. The lid was then lowered, and there's nothing more to do but sit back, turn it a few times and wait around a year until the pure, organic compost is ready.

This post is provided as a public service. Enjoy.