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

[slowmotion]

What about the sieve thingy that goes in a chip pan frier? If the mesh is too fine, just start cutting off the grids with some snippers.

 

[growingvegetables]

They say that you learn from your mistakes.

Yup. Ssssssh!

 

[Speicher]

What about the sieve thingy that goes in a chip pan frier? If the mesh is too fine, just start cutting off the grids with some snippers.

I have an old chip pan basket and have tried that. It works, but that is a lot of jiggling about to sieve about 2 cubic yards of compost. This whole process is going to take a long time. It is, however, exercise in the fresh air, and I have been using two or three methods, so that I do not get a repetitive injury.

I have also tried a very old, very large plastic bread crate, but that is slow because the plastic holes and the distance between them is half an inch. A wire shopping basket could do the trick.

 

[slowmotion]

I have an old chip pan basket and have tried that. It works, but that is a lot of jiggling about to sieve about 2 cubic yards of compost. This whole process is going to take a long time. It is, however, exercise in the fresh air, and I have been using two or three methods, so that I do not get a repetitive injury.

What about a commercial " fish and chippie" basket ? The limitation is how much you can lift in a sieve, I suspect. Compost is pretty heavy stuff. So are chips.

 

[Speicher]

Yes, good idea. It would have a good strong handle and be very deep.

I tend to put the sieving implement on top of a very large box so the weight is not necessarily the issue. Fortunately this compost bin only gets emptied once a year.

Anyhoo, it is time I wasn't here, goodnight.

 

[slowmotion]

Bon Soir.

 

[winjim]

Could you maybe start off by using a rake?

 

[summerdays]

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

Or find a friend with a hazel plant.... or your ever helpful squirrel should be able to plant several for you

 

[PaulB]

With the possible exception of being Garth Crooks, there is surely nothing worse than washing sieves?

 

[Alex H]

Depending on the location of the compost, can you not just use a rake to get the twigs out?

i.e. spread the compost out, remove the twigs and rake up what is left to put where ever you want?

 

[Speicher]

Depending on the location of the compost, can you not just use a rake to get the twigs out?

i.e. spread the compost out, remove the twigs and rake up what is left to put where ever you want?

Yes, I could try that. I would like to get most of the twiggy bits out. They will then be the starting layer of the next load of compost.

I think there is a multitude of solutions to this. I expect that I am unusual in enjoying making compost. It certainly makes a great difference to the plants.

 

[Nibor]

drill some holes in a trug

 

[Speicher]

drill some holes in a trug

Another good idea, thank you. One of the constraints is the cost, but sometimes that sort of object turns up at a charity shop.

I have found a wide, deep and long chip basket as suggested by @slowmotion. Sadly there were 35 of them to be sold as a job lot.

 

[fixedfixer]

Use one of those big plastic bread trays the supermarkets have but always seem to be lying at the side of the road somewhere. They have metal bars along two sides that make them ideal for putting over a frame and slide back n forth to riddle the compost. I was given one from the garden centre when I bought plants.

 

[snorri]

Making a riddle is easy when compared with actually using the thing.