Pots: brewing and irrigating

[Dave Riley]

It works! It truly works!

Who woulda thought?

I am learning to love my pots.

I have three models: one for the collection of slops and 'teas' ; the others to irrigate my garden.

The slops and washes protocol  is really kicking in (see diagram at right).

I collect the waste stuff in the kitchen then decant the strained fluids into an outback brew pot.

Around the garden beds my terracotta clay pots with shade cloth 'lids' have come into their own and the garden is surviving the heat wave.

That I have more shade this Summer is a key element in clay potty potentials --despite being brutally low on mulch.

Fortunately I have now secured a good pile of grass clippings so the rest of Summer will be plant friendly.

[Lissa]

The fully sealed Ferment Pot is it anaerobic then?

[Lissa]

Great use of your slops going on there Dave.

I wouldn't have thought of adding the milk....but I guess if you empty daily there isn't much risk of stinky stuff going on in the house. How is the smell out in the garden around the outdoor Ferment Pot?

[Dave Riley]

KITCHEN

I find that 'rubbish' bins in the kitchen generally are a fly attractant. But a sturdy pot with a heavy, strong lid --emptied every 24-48 hours -- and an easy grab handle --works for me.

As for the glass lid...who wants to look at rubbish? I do: best way to remind yourself to empty it. Back in the house you wash it and start again. Since the system is contained/firmly lidded and the container material is easily cleaned I don't get odours inside the kitchen

I used to collect scraps and fluid separately but the combo is very useful and works much better.

Make sure you don't put so much into the pot that it is difficult to carry. Note the carry handles in the image.

OUTBACK

My brew pot outback is sealed. It was sold as a water tank. And does not attract much in way of insects --although there is a slight dour close in.

IF you don't have chooks then you need to trench compost or run a  worm farm community. I

What i like about this setup is that aside from the colander, there are no extra tools and no waiting...and no mixing or digging or turning. With chooks it is all quickly manured.

[Elaine de Saxe]

I can image a domestic eruption were I to have a 'slop pot' in the kitchen. The big basin outside with some mouldering stuff for a 'tea' attracted flies, stirring once a day was not enough. Tipped it out onto a garden, 'cided the flies and still it pongs although it's getting better now. 'She' was not amused.

What you are doing is a brilliant concept and makes perfect sense. All our vege water goes down the sink which is a terrible waste.

The idea of shade-cloth lids for the in-ground clay pots is another creative solution. So far I only have 6 pots (ex-opp shop wine-coolers) and lifting/replacing the lids is a pain. I've got shadecloth just not the energy to make the tops.