can i use compost as a layer in a compost bin

Wow, that is an expensive way of doing it, Mje! Can you not scrounge a shovel full of soil from somewhere, you don't need much?
Idealy you would be weeding the garden when the soil from the roots of the weeds would be enough.

That is not a problem but a bit of an expensive way of making compostI use some cardboard and paper and plenty of waste from the vegetables but not meat waste of cooked food, I usually empty all my compost out my flower boxes into the bin as well after two years, adding soil also adds bacteria to the bin to get it going as well, you can also add a compost accellerator as well, and don't forget to add a dusting of lime as it helps the decomposition, hope this info helps.

Mje... reading what you 'should' do to make compost and just getting on and doing it are two different things... B & I do not put cardboard, paper, wool or all sorts of other stuff into our compost, but then we don't have a lawn so no buckets and buckets of lawn clippings :-) Our compost simply has RAW veggie waste, weeds (other than those we do not trust to survive the compost bin like couch grass - these go to our local recycling are for the 'serious' composting) The odd shovel of soil, or spent compost from a pan, urine... basically that is it... I'm not sure when the 'books' started to tell people to put in paper etc. but we are too old to change our tune on a successful method! Good luck - have a go and, if it doesn't work, try something different!

There are two sure ways of making good garden compost.
1. Have a large enough 'bin' or area. At least a metre cube. (To generate sufficient heat)
2. Make sure you turn the compost and keep it fairly moist (every couple of weeks)
3. Use a mixture of waste, both carboniferous stuff like grass cuttings and also a little 'woody' stuff like straw (or cardboard) or woody weeds.

Given a month or so, you will have excellent compost suitable for use on the garden or mixing into other materials as a potting compost

If you can get hold of horse manure, a layer of this really helps to make excellent compost, and hurries it along, as well. Are there any stables near where you live?

W O W what a website I have been a member for a couple of hours and got 5 very usefull replies to this question. Not sure how to thanks people yet but if this is the way to say thanks then THANKS to all fantastic answers I now will act on them...
regards Michael

W O W what a website I have been a member for a couple of hours and got 5 very usefull replies to this question. Not sure how to thanks people yet but if this is the way to say thanks then THANKS to all fantastic answers I now will act on them...
regards Michael

Mje, you can use anything in the compost. except cooked food, Just try to make sure that you dont put too much of any one thing in at a time. Is your compost on soil to start with? if it is then you dont have to worry about starting it with soil....if not some old used compost would do. Then just all of you waste, that will break down. Its a good way to get rid of you shredded documents too......

Don't forget to water it too Mje especially if you use paper or cardboard, and a good dig over to aereate helps. I wouldn't put weeds in myself...but have added worms from the garden to munch through the whole lot!

I think re compost layers I'm a little nervy that I'm going to get it wrong BUT nothing to lose really. I bought a bin from "Lidl" as it was 19.99 for a good large bin... now just concerned re actual layers being precisly 15cm high each and in the right order! ! I know you guys will say "Just do it" It must be pretty imposible to have stuff available from kitchen and garden to match the sequence each time. So I stock some old compost in the base so far just about 2inches then Monday going to put leaves in foloowed by grass and veg stuff then compost starter liquid and wait until more soil is available. Thanks to all.

You really don't have to wait for precise layers, Michael. Just remember that not too much of anything at once is good - ie, not too much lawn clippings unless you mix in some shredded cardboard or paper with them. It will be fine! don't be nervous. :-)

And things will break down quicker if they are small or chopped....a thick cauliflower stem could do with slicing up...I learned this when rooting through ours and finding lumpy bits amongst the compost..Lol. Also Rhubarb leaves are a great activator.....

Yeah, don't worry about exact mixtures, Mje. As long as you have a good mix of green and brown, you should be fine.

Be careful about putting too much grass in though. Less is more with that. It's so high in nitrogen it can make your compost mushy, so more veggies and stuff as opposed to grass.

Also, leaves don't break down very quickly either, so if you have lots of leaves, put them in a black bag, pierce a few holes and store somewhere to make leaf mould. Better to do this than add to the compost bin.

Well guys you did ask i have uploaded 10 pics of the starting point of the rear garden.