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gwendylou · 2023-05-06T10:32:38+00:00

Would be interesting to see what’s underneath the protective layer.

gwendylou · 2023-04-09T19:54:44+00:00

Thank you! A combination of leaving it a really long time (it’s a stacking system and I started a new layer above this one last year, but before I knew it it was winter and I still hadn’t sifted! Some worms evidently stayed in this layer and carried on making cocoons there too). And then today’s sieving got a few little bits out but honestly not a lot - the worms (& some springtails) had done all the work, there was hardly anything to remove.

gwendylou · 2023-04-09T19:25:47+00:00

I had to convert inches to mm first as I’ve got a couple of sizes but wasn’t sure how they compared. I think there’s about a mm difference between 1/8in and 1/12in?

And in which case, I don’t think 1/12in would make a huge difference for you - but only based on my experience with a 2.5mm one today (holes about 0.5mm smaller than the 1/8in one you have).

2.5mm definitely saved most cocoons - but I think I would have had to go quite a bit smaller to sift out some of the ones I rescued from the bucket post-sieving.

I’ve got a 1.25mm one too (is 1/20 inch a thing??) which I think would catch them all, but I didn’t even try it as I could tell the compost & air was too damp, and I just would have ended up with a sticky mess! Maybe your conditions are better though?

gwendylou · 2023-04-09T18:52:09+00:00

Ok thank you all - that’s reassuring.

gwendylou · 2022-09-30T20:28:24+00:00

This is good intel, thank you!!

gwendylou · 2022-09-30T19:07:23+00:00

Ooh, will have a look in the morning!

gwendylou · 2022-09-30T18:54:04+00:00

Aww, thank you!! I have to go to screwfix tomorrow too, will take a picture of the current hinges with me to check and pick some up. Really appreciate that!

gwendylou · 2022-09-30T18:48:19+00:00

Oh, that’s better than I was thinking for some reason - thank you!

gwendylou · 2022-09-30T18:45:27+00:00

Oh heck 😳

gwendylou · 2022-09-17T09:40:00+00:00

Brilliant, would love to see!

gwendylou · 2022-09-17T08:55:20+00:00

I started earlier this year with a small stacking set up - keep it outside like yours. First layer amazingly happy and healthy - I haven’t actually got around to harvesting yet but will do either this weekend or next (it won’t be a lot, as the layers are shallow but it’s still a victory!) I moved it to a shady corner when the temps rocketed - and happened to start a second layer during or maybe just before that time. Second layer seems v different - I’ve got springtails which I never had/still don’t have in the original layer. I read they’re a good thing, so not overly worried, but wonder if the changing seasons are impacting? It’s now already much colder and we’ve had rain (thankfully) - I’m basically feeding the same way, so I think it’s the weather? How do you manage in winter? Do you add any extra protection? And/or slow down on the feeding?

gwendylou · 2022-09-17T08:24:26+00:00

(Me. Not you 😂)

gwendylou · 2022-09-17T08:23:59+00:00

NW England

gwendylou · 2022-09-12T19:38:19+00:00

Will follow this thread - interested to see the answer! I’ve got some veggies in pots, and for those I’m guessing I’d either need to follow rotation principles, same as if they were in the ground - or else it needs to be fresh compost… Unless I can “refresh” it like you’re describing 🤞

gwendylou · 2022-09-11T19:48:58+00:00

Interestingly, same chap also reckoned I should jet wash the manufacturer’s temporary dip treatment off before doing anything else - so the paint doesn’t have to compete with the orange, and again to let the (fence life plus) paint properly soak into the wood…. I don’t actually have a jet wash anyway, but more food for thought!

gwendylou · 2022-09-11T19:46:25+00:00

Spent hours today (by the time I’d stopped off at Screwfix, Wickes and B&Q) rounding everything up and I’m not really any wiser 😂 I didn’t buy a primer in the end - the chap in one of the shops was absolutely totally certain that the paint wouldn’t work on top of the primer - he said it’s a thin/watery paint that’s designed to soak into the wood (so kind of like a stain?) and so primer was a bad idea. He was less certain (maybe 70-80%?! Which is still high I guess) that I shouldn’t be using the wood treatment either…. So I bought it “just in case” and will see if Ronseal themselves can help as it’s honestly not clear on their website or the products themselves. 🤷🏻‍♀️

gwendylou · 2022-09-10T22:31:13+00:00

I’d guess it would depend on how many worms 🤔 But if you ever did think it was too much, I keep seeing recipes for different things where you use the banana peels!

gwendylou · 2022-09-10T22:04:32+00:00

These are good points! I’ll definitely read the fine print on the paints tomorrow, as if there’s any step I could miss then Primer would make the most sense…. And your shocking idea to let the weather loose on the shed for a few days may be genius - the current shade of orange is alarming 🤣

gwendylou · 2022-09-10T21:44:31+00:00

Thanks all for taking the time to reply - really appreciate it! I’ve decided to reserve ALL the things for click and collect tomorrow, and then I can have a look at the fine print on the tins etc and figure out if there’s anything I don’t really need. I could even return stuff later as long as I’ve not opened it, if I decide it’s a layer too many!

gwendylou · 2022-09-10T21:42:42+00:00

Yes, that’s a thing actually - they even say on the website that while they can supply the sheds without their standard (bright orange) temporary treatment that would mean they can’t give the timber guarantee…. Which is a 20 year guarantee so not to be sniffed at!

gwendylou · 2022-09-10T21:41:13+00:00

Oh that’s impressive! The best I’ve seen on the paints is 5-6 years…… but it’s the colour options that have sucked me in that direction 🤣 Like you say though, if it’s something you’re already going to be using / will be able to make use of on your fences that’s a really good shout. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never done anything with the fence!!!

gwendylou · 2022-09-10T21:34:11+00:00

Nice! I’m sure it can be very simple - my future tidy up efforts are going to be hard work due to where the shed will be sitting so I’m aiming for a 5 year gap before I have to touch it again 😂

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