Compot & Propagator x 1 | 5L Compost Bin

Composting occurs below and propagating occurs on top.  Holes in the top allow gases to escape. Water your plants through these holes as well.  Heat generated below from your waste decomposing, warms the soil above, and creates a humid environment inside the Top for the seeds to sprout.   It is virtually a mini hot house or terrarium in your garden.  And it works.

Where is the best place to put it?

The best position to plant your easy composter & propagator top will depend on your specific climate and environment and what you might be trying to propagate.   If your climate is too hot you might find propagating in the shade works better.  Or in the sun might work better in winter.   Like all gardening, propagating can be a trial-and-error thing.   Just have fun with it and keep trying till you find what works in your garden. A single easy composter & propagator top are suitable for anyone who wants a small composting solution.   Or you want to grow a few veggies and herbs on the side as a bit of a hobby.  Owning a Compot and Top means you don't need warming trays, greenhouses, and other paraphernalia just to grow a couple of seeds.   It's a fun way to grow plants from seed and fun for the kids to play with and learn. Link - Using the easy composter & propagator top in a chicken pen. (coming)

Can I put one in a Chicken pen?

The easy composter & propagator top often suits people with chickens.    That is because they usually give much of their waste to their chickens and have very little waste left over to compost.  But chickens don't always eat everything so what do you do with the rest of your waste?  Put it in an eco-eze Compot.  When the Soldier Flies come the chickens can feast on the larvae which are roughly 45% protein for them. Chickens love Soldier Fly Larvae and maggots also. You are not likely to get maggots in the Compot but don't panic if you do.   If they happen to get inside the Compot they usually can't get out very easily.  If house flies are hovering around your pots in your garden then add a little extra cover.   Usually, this is enough to filter any odours they might be smelling.   You, of course, should not smell anything. In a chicken pen you don't need to worry about covering the pot as chickens like flies as well.   And you don't need to soak your scraps when using the Compot inside a chicken pen.  I now teach people to use the "Above Ground Method" in a chicken pen as some chickens will dig up your pot trying to get to the larvae and any worms that have found their way to the pots. If you use the above ground method they can't dig around it but can easily access the larvae when they venture outside the pot.  (video coming)

How do I harvest the larvae for the chickens?

In your chicken pen, they will help themselves to the larvae.  When composting in your garden, simply put on a glove, scoop out some Larvae and toss it into your chicken pen.   Your chickens will sort out what to eat while the rest will improve the soil in their coop.  Or give the larvae a little hose with water through a strainer to remove all the composting material. There will be other bugs in there that your chickens will also like.  Hose gently to save as many bugs as you can.  There might be little cockroaches, slaters, millipedes and other composting critters.  All good for your chickens and your garden though some might disagree about Millipedes. When the Soldier Fly larvae grow big enough and are ready to pupate they bury out through the soil and hatch into Soldier Flies.  Then they find a partner, mate, lay their larvae and die. Not much of a life for a fly.   Very rarely will you see them in your garden.  They are very elusive and completely harmless.  They don't have a mouth so they cannot harm you.   Get excited if you see one in your garden because you know you have the best composter around that is free - next to the worms of course. Link- Growing greens in your chicken pen on top of the Compot

Growing greens in your chicken pen

Many of you with chickens know you can't grow anything is a chicken pen because chickens will scratch everything to pieces.  Having a Compot and Compot Top allows you to grow greens in their coops without them destroying the seeds before they have sprouted.  When you are growing greens in the lid, remove the top after the greens have sprouted and let the chickens at it. Another tip is to uncover the seeds when they have just sprouted. The seeds are really high in protein at this stage.  Let your wheat or barley etc grow long and green to improve your egg quality. Hyperlink - "details on how to grow wheatgrass, barley, oats etc"

Using the propagator top directly in the garden

You can use the Propagator Top directly in the garden to cover small seedlings.   This is really handy for plants that don't like to be transplanted.   You can plant them once straight into a garden and protect them with the Compot Top.   Water them through the holes in the top and uncover when ready.  Secure them in place with the 4 stakes that come with your Top.   This stops the Top from being knocked over by garden animals protecting your plant till it's time to uncover it. Find out what works best for you. Don't make it a chore. It is meant to be fun and easy. The choice is yours. Articles coming soon What can I put in my Compots with my dog waste (coming soon) What if my dogs want to dig it up (coming soon) Black Soldier Flies and Animal Waste (coming soon) Composting in winter Propagating wheatgrass propagating seeds Shop eco-eze Compots Now