http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/list/1 EN Thu, 19 Aug 2004 12:27:59 +0000 Thu, 19 Aug 2004 12:27:59 +0000 SE1 Discussion Phorum 5.1.6 600 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24430#msg-24430 forum@london-se1.co.uk (The Unladylike Ms. Jo) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24430#msg-24430 Thu, 19 Aug 2004 12:27:59 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24204#msg-24204 forum@london-se1.co.uk (phoneyâ„¢) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24204#msg-24204 Sat, 14 Aug 2004 08:31:15 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24202#msg-24202 forum@london-se1.co.uk (sarah2)
Fourteen large trees placed in oversized flowerbeds. Great for us coz the building is really ugly. Neighbour tells me that the trees themselves were specially imported from Holland and cost serious money.

Lo and behold. New signs banning parking in our street and another large vehicle arrives from Holland. Same sort of tree (being less rural than other forummers I don't know what they are) but shaped like lolly-pops. Other trees were taken out and simply left on the pavement - apparently to be thrown away. (I had a fantasy of sticking one in the back yard but tree too big, yard too small.)

Apparently the first had to go because they were not what the architect ordered.

Watching three men spend a morning trying to line them up was interesting. Difficult because the lollypops are of different sizes, plus like hanging a picture you need someone with a bit of perspective saying 'left a bit, right a bit' and so on.

Was tempted to open the window and shout, but felt that would be common. (Even though we are in SE11 not SE1 so can be a bit more common). My punishment is to look out at an unevenly spaced row of trees. Perhaps the police will hang fairy lights (or security cameras) come Christmas. They could put a policeman's helmet on top.

]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24202#msg-24202 Sat, 14 Aug 2004 08:25:15 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24185#msg-24185 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Lang Rabbie)
Do you think we can sell it to an independent radio production company?

Will DEFRA provide a recycling story editor consultant at key times of year for dialogue on remembering to keep your worms warm?

Tum ti tum ti tum ti tum...
]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24185#msg-24185 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 16:50:21 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24183#msg-24183 forum@london-se1.co.uk (The Unladylike Ms. Jo) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24183#msg-24183 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 16:22:28 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24177#msg-24177 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Jan the old one) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24177#msg-24177 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 15:21:48 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24173#msg-24173 forum@london-se1.co.uk (The Unladylike Ms. Jo)
bmovie: my worms survived fine last winter, outside but in a sheltered spot on the balcony. They slowed down but didn't die. Anyway, restocking is not a problem, there's loads of places to get new worms without having to buy them.

I would say that worms need slightly more attention than a compost bin, neither needing that much, but obviously slightly more than the zero attention that it sounds like you've been giving it! The process in both cases is easy, but first you need to get the conditions correct by a little experimentation.

Worms use a different composting process, so they like slightly different conditions and material to what is best for a compost bin. If you can get along to Mint St on Saturday afternoon and chat to Armin from CRISP, you wont get any better advice, and you might even get a free wormery if there are any left!]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24173#msg-24173 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 14:20:31 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24148#msg-24148 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Ivanhoe) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24148#msg-24148 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 12:10:12 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24146#msg-24146 forum@london-se1.co.uk (martinr) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24146#msg-24146 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 11:40:57 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24130#msg-24130 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Mapmaker)
You can buy something called 'garotta' from B&Q which helps the rotting process.

What have you got in there?

imagine leaf mould - rotting leaves such as you see in piles in parks in the autumn. That's what your compost heap should look like. It's possible that you didn't have the bin full enough with sufficient moist material when you started - and if you started last summer (when it was very hot & dry) I'm not entirely surprised! Try a piece of old carpet on the top of the heap to keep it warm & moist.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24130#msg-24130 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 10:01:28 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24128#msg-24128 forum@london-se1.co.uk (bmovie) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24128#msg-24128 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:36:44 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24127#msg-24127 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Mapmaker) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24127#msg-24127 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:23:14 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24119#msg-24119 forum@london-se1.co.uk (bmovie)
TUMJ - your wormery, does it have to be moved inside during the winter? I had some info through from Wriggly Wormers - their system requires indoor space during winter or the worms die and the thing has to be re-stocked. I am hoping that the production of worm compost is a damn sight easier than the garden waste variety]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24119#msg-24119 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 08:40:32 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24116#msg-24116 forum@london-se1.co.uk (JGarcia)
I don't believe that the purpose is to actually go and find other waste, not from your own house, with which to create compost.

Maybe I' m missing something here?]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24116#msg-24116 Fri, 13 Aug 2004 06:58:54 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24112#msg-24112 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Mapmaker)
1. hedge trimmings - available for free in brown paper bags outside my front door. come & help yourself as I suspect I'll wait in vain for the council to take them away. PM me if you really want to pick mine up & I'll tell you where to come.

2. Try sweeping leaves up off the street. Council will be grateful.

3. Volunteer to cut the hedges in your nearest park. Actually, just do it, and I'm sure the Council will be grateful.


But be careful that you do not use up more energy than you save. If I were you, I'd go to B&Q and buy some nice compost.

Horse manure needs to rot for at least a couple of years, otherwise it's far too acidic & little will grow properly in it. Be warned.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24112#msg-24112 Thu, 12 Aug 2004 21:05:44 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24110#msg-24110 forum@london-se1.co.uk (The Unladylike Ms. Jo)
On the subject of home composting, I believe there will be a stall on Saturday at Southwark Playhouse's Mint St event

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/1129

where you can find out about wormeries from CRISP (Community recycling in Southwark Project). I have a wormery on my balcony and its a great success. I love feeding my worms and seeing how they're getting on (it has been said before on this forum that I should get out more...)
]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24110#msg-24110 Thu, 12 Aug 2004 17:33:46 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24105#msg-24105 forum@london-se1.co.uk (kies)
Would anyone know how, or have any ideas where, to get hold of any of the following *free* and locally:

- sawdust or smallish wood chippings (any joiners, timber merchants or otherwise apart from TP just off Union St?)

- grass cuttings and leaves (I know I'm setting myself up for some hum(or)ous replies with this! Really asking where the council dumps their garden/park-conservation waste - may as well make use of it!)

- hay/straw

- horse manure (!)

- chicken droppings (!!)

Yes, have taken up the council's cheap compost bin offer! Anyone else taken up composting? How's it going and have you found some free ways to add to your heap?

Thanks very mulch

K.i.e.s]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/24105/24105#msg-24105 Thu, 12 Aug 2004 17:13:13 +0000