Should I get rid of Compost Bins ?

[The Jones's]

We have just taken over an allotment which is just over 6 rods which I hope is enough for the two of us. The person before us was asked to leave and his version of clearing the site was to put all the rubbish lying around into the compost bin.



On the allotment we have 6 normal size plastic compost bins and one large plastic one as well as the large pallet one (only 2 being used). I personally would prefer to clear out everything that is there and start again as we don't know what is in there and we have all winter to build it up again. We also have manure delivered free by the lorry load to the allotments so not reliant on our own completely.

I would like to move the pallet compost bin and add on to turn it into a double one, ie, 2 joined together turning from one to the other. Here are my questions ...

Is it ok to completely start again re compost ?
Would 2 pallet composts be enough for this site ?
Do the bins have to stand on a base (pallet ones - lined with plastic now) ?
Should I get rid of some of the plastic ones on freecycle ?
Is there anything I shouldn't put in ?
Which activator to use if any ?

Sorry that is a lot of questions but am a bit stuck with this.

Mel

[binley100]

My bins are just on the ground allows the worms access.Don't put in weeds that are flowerin/seeding or nasty stuff like mare's tail and couch grass (it never dies) drown it first in a bucket of water. Wee is a good activator or nettle tops. You can never have too many compost bins so I'd keep the placcy ones as well . It's going to take a good while to start again building up a stock of compost so you could keep what's there and keep turning it regularly to encourage it to rot down well and then seive before using.

[Jeanied]

My advice would be to keep all the compost containers - they are useful.
You can move the pallets to where you want to site them - turn the contents out to re- fill the bins in their new positions. At that stage you can get rid of any plastic or rubbish, as you turn them out.
Observation of your site should alert you to any lingering nasties in the soil / compost - then you need to control them - but at this stage I wouldn't assume they are there in the bins. Use the compost as a top dressing if needs be - and dig the manure in.

[Two_Sheds]

The person before us was asked to leave and his version of clearing the site was to put all the rubbish lying around into the compost bin.

You're lucky, most plots are 6' high in brambles and you only find the rubbish when you've chopped those down

Is it ok to completely start again re compost ?

You can certainly turn the compost, it will do it good. Empty out the pallet, re-site it, then fill it back up

Would 2 pallet composts be enough for this site ?

Probably not

Do the bins have to stand on a base (pallet ones - lined with plastic now)

bins should be in contact with the soil, so the detritivores can get in

Should I get rid of some of the plastic ones on freecycle ?

Not yet, you might need them (I have six)

Which activator to use if any ?

Oxygen is a good activator (chuck in egg boxes to create air pockets). Keep the compost moist but not sopping, have a good mix of 50/50 greens and browns.
To get it steaming hot in the summer, wee on it

[jackie j]

My OH built me two huge compost bins, one on each lottie, I also have two plastic bins on the bottom lottie I have filled both of them with leaves as the bottom plot has tree's at the back and I rake up the leaves. I had them in bags and decided to use the bins so all the bags from last year got tipped into one to continue to rot, the other one I put this years leaves in and will add more leaves as they drop.

[Noodles]

After just one year on the plot our 3 daleks and one large pallet compost bin are all full so I'd definitely recommend keeping them all!

[Snadger]

I would say you definately need to resite the compost heap as it appears to be leaning against the greenhouse glass and the shade won't do the greenhouse plants much good!
Most people (including myself!) will position a compost heap where nothing else will grow rather than take up good growing space!
This is fine in theory but if like mine the compost heap are under shade casting trees, it doesn't get the full force of the sun so doesn't heat up very quick.
Other things to take into consideration are aesthetics (you don't want your compost heap next to your sitting out area) and accessability (if you get free manure you need it somewhere near to the drop off point)

Don't throw the daleks away as worst case scenario you can blanch your rhubarb with then or fill them full of compost and grow long carrots or parsnips in them.

[Jono]

I'd keep the plastic compost bins, I've found them much better than pallets.

I had pallets, which I flattened and turned into a raised bed. The earth at the bottom of them was incredible from all the years of composting, and my carrots and parsnips grew really well in there.