Strong ammonia smell drifting across the garden

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Yep - I do spread the clippings out after mowing - it allows them to dry out, which helps prevent excessive moisture. The top layer of clippings becomes...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

My HotBin is running very nicely at 60 to 70°C.

The only problem is the smell it's making: a rather pungent ammonia smell that drifts across...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

How are you (or were you) measuring the temperature? If you're using the thermometer in the lid, there's no way that'll get up above 40C unless your bin...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Over the spring and summer I have been taking batches of compost out of the bottom of my Hotbin every 2 to 3 weeks, and dumping it into a conventional...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

I do wonder if a lot of the people worrying that they can't get their Hotbin up to temperature are actually worrying about the temperature indicated by...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

We use compostable cat litter, and it all goes in the hot bin. The bits that the cat has weed on provide nitrogen, and the rest is very good for absorbing...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Try dissolving a few teaspoons of ammonium sulphamate into a cup of water and sprinkle it throughout the waste in your bin. This will help kick-start...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Grass clippings are fantastic for getting the bin up to temperature, but they are rather wet and will release their moisture, causing the bottom layer...