There is a misconception that a compost pile must be made straightaway on the ground .
Though we have done that many time , we have also compost in bbl , in large envelop bins , in an old refrigerator , and on concrete slabs .
In our latest telecasting I explain why composting in a agglomerate with a bottom on it is just fine :

The main issue with composting directly on the footing is the mogul of tree diagram roots . If you are anywhere near a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , it will happily fill your heap with root .
From the Comments
Chet writes:“We had our first compost bin under a very great maple tree in our chicken run . I think it was there for peradventure a yr and a one-half and then transition to keeping one nearer the garden . Now 2 1/2 years later you may still see where it was because of the pitcher’s mound of maple tree solution that get up into it ”
And Jeanna writes:“I found this out the arduous path . It was AMAZING how happy those tree diagram roots were … . ”
SS writes:“True honest . I compost near bamboo . The roots grew up in it . Probably sucked everything out of it to . enceinte explaining this system . I suppose a cheaper would be set ceiling cannister down . ”

zmblion writes:“I agree with you i ve had my compost 100 ft or more from the nearest tree diagram and have find roots all in it . When i rebuild mine i will at least draw it with brick or block or something . I ’ve found worms in a gutter that was n’t clean for years . I think this is a with child system ”
internetcomposting writes:“I commend cleaning out someone ’s gutter of 10 + years of neglect & I managed to get 6 full refuse bag of the stuff & had the hubby hale it back down to our place , hours off , to put in our compost down . The stuff and nonsense was perfectly amazing . ”
ganggreen writes : “ Not a compost bin , but a similar issue . I have a medium size of it back yard with a very large maple Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree right in the nub . A few long time ago I put in three raise bed gardens , by this spring they were totally root rebound by the tree diagram . ”
gelwood writes:“Yes , roots will always find a way to take over the compost . Even with a tractor after a few months , we plump to turn it and it was impenetrable ! We took down the side and allow nature have its way ! This was just what I demand to see because I was thinking of putting down a sheet of blade roofing to stop it but I now do n’t think even that would work . ! ”
k.p . writes:“I actually DO have room for a low version of your compost area . I stopped compost because of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree issue . There is nothing more aggravating than build a nap for over a year , to finally be ready to use it , and to discover the spider web of millions of tree roots . Even worse , to recover they had sucked every scrap of victuals out of the pile , and basically you have 5 CY ’s of fill. 😏 😏 OH , and then the Johnson grass that take over another pile . Chopped and chopped and chopped and that stuff and nonsense got a SUPER charge to spread throughout my pace . ”
sixheadedgoblin notes:“I inter cinder block underneath my compost bins because of roots . Not Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree roots – that part of my property has a gross ton of bind grass . Six years in with those BIN now and I ’ve yet to have any substantial trouble with the bind gage getting into my compost . There ’s been a weak vine here and there that in all likelihood came from seed , but no intrusion of the roots into the pile . There are definitely intellect to debar the wider dirt from your compost pile . ”
The arguments against compost piles with bottoms
The contestation against compost dozens having bottoms on them is generally “ but the dirt ball wo n’t be capable to get in ! , ” with casual other objections about the grime bacterium and fungi being bar .
However , we have seen worms climb walls , so that ’s really not a worry . I have worm endure in potted plant that are sitting on plastic Mary Jane barrier . They get in if they want to .
As Dan writes:“I have found worms in my trough and wondered how the worm knew to climb up there ? ”
As for soil life , bacteria and fungi , that ’s not an issue either . There is quite a little of grime that gets mixed in with these piles , inoculating them well . And even if there was n’t , the fungus kingdom and bacteria would still find them . Bread come apart out in multi - coloured piece of mold on your counter without you vaccinate it with anything , and despite it not seat on the dirt … do n’t you cogitate compost will be colonized similarly ?
You ’re fine composting on an impermeable surface . You ’ll get compost .
However , you do n’t need to do so . We have often compost on top of future garden areas so the surplus nutrients go into the soil where next class ’s harvest will grow . We ’ve also made plenty of piles right on the earth .
The important thing is to compost and avoid throwing good organic fabric in a landfill .
Our giant three - ABA transit number system was created to handle rafts of waste which can then be violate down into a fine compost we can use in our plant glasshouse . You might not need to do anything on that M a exfoliation , but the principles of compost are the same .
Throw things on the ground ( or on a slab or whatever ) and they decompose .
Compost everything !
- * *
Today ’s music :