Is it possible to make a large sieve out of willow?

[Speicher]

I need to sieve a very large quantity of my garden compost. Domestic garden sieves have very small holes, and it would take an extremely long time.

I would like to remove the twigs (that have not decomposted) from at least half that volume of home-made compost.

Anyway, long story short, apart from buying welded metal mesh there seems to be few alternatives.

Have the "crafty" (in the nicest possible way) people on here done weaving with willow? If I bought lots of willow sticks, and soak them, I could weave my own "sieve". If one section broke, I could presumably replace it, with another piece. The holes need to be about one inch apart, and the finished sieve about 18" square.

How bendy is soaked willow? Or would I need to tie some of the sticks at right angles to each other? Any helpful comments would be appreciated.

 

[Speicher]

This sounds like something @hopless500 and @Hill Wimp might know about.

Yes, they are two ideal candidates.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Why not make one out of four pieces of wood, some chicken wire and staples?

 

[Dave 123]

Can you sieve compost through willow twigs....?


Now there's a riddle.

 

[Speicher]

Why not make one out of four pieces of wood, some chicken wire and staples?

Yes I have four pieces of wood, and I can get a small piece of chicken wire. Could I twist the ends of the wire round some screws in the wood? I have not got a strong enough stapler.

 

[Randomnerd]

I'm a green woodworker. Your best bet is to make a hoop from hazel, preferably a rod with no knots. You can then staple or wire some rabbit netting over the hoop to make your riddle. I can give you more detailed info by pm or email if you want. Willow won't last so long.

 

[accountantpete]

Yes I have four pieces of wood, and I can get a small piece of chicken wire. Could I twist the ends of the wire round some screws in the wood? I have not got a strong enough stapler.

U Nails!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3011...=1007043&device=c&campaignid=738210941&crdt=0

 

[Speicher]

U Nails!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3011...=1007043&device=c&campaignid=738210941&crdt=0

I think I have some of those in the garage.

 

[Speicher]

I'm a green woodworker. Your best bet is to make a hoop from hazel, preferably a rod with no knots. You can then staple or wire some rabbit netting over the hoop to make your riddle. I can give you more detailed info by pm or email if you want. Willow won't last so long.

It does not need to be round.

 

[hopless500]

This sounds like something @hopless500 and @Hill Wimp might know about.

Hmm. It would be doable but tbh not really worth the effort. My plastic sieve has fairly big holes.

 

[Speicher]

Hmm. It would be doable but tbh not really worth the effort. My plastic sieve has fairly big holes.

I think I need a sieve with holes about 1" x 1". I either need to make a sieve or fish hundreds of twigs out of the compost. I will be leaving the twiggy bits to decompose further at the back of borders, but would like some finer compost to scatter in the more easily seen areas of the garden. I could tie bamboo canes together.

 

[hopless500]

I think I need a sieve with holes about 1" x 1". I either need to make a sieve or fish hundreds of twigs out of the compost. I will be leaving the twiggy bits to decompose further at the back of borders, but would like some finer compost to scatter in the more easily seen areas of the garden. I could tie bamboo canes together.

I guess the chicken wire option would be good.

 

[Speicher]

So far then:



Large piece of chicken wire from local ironmongers, approx £5
Four pieces of wood = large pieces saved when my wooden outdoor table disintegrate from old age.
U nails, somewhere in the garage, or purchased from the ironmongers.

I hope this does not work out too expensive.

Or grow willow from cuttings, for a never-ending supply of sticks to make the sieve next year.

 

[growingvegetables]

I would like to remove the twigs (that have not decomposted) from at least half that volume of home-made compost.

Very quiet and gentle whispering - lesson learned about what not to put in a compost heap, unless you're prepared to wait a VERY long time?

 

[Speicher]

Very quiet and gentle whispering - lesson learned about what not to put in a compost heap, unless you're prepared to wait a VERY long time?

They say that you learn from your mistakes.