Compost Bin Advice - Which one to choose

[crucy86]

Hi All,

Just starting out my Allotment and I'm getting the composting bins ready for next year.

I have access to some pallets to make an open heap, but I have read that its best to cover it? is that right?

I also have been offered 3x large plastic compost containers (the black type with a lid). I have also read that these can be better as the compost heats up quicker.

I am thinking the plastic ones will be much easier as I was also going to fill one or two of them up with leaves this autumn, I have been told that this is better than a wire cage as they don't tend to dry out as much?

Could anyone shed some light on the pros/cons of each for me?

Some people seem to hate the plastic variety, is that because they are not as good or just that its plastic?

I could also have a combination of both, I just want to use the right thing for the right job!

any leftover pallets will be used to make one of these!

http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org...e_habitat2.pdf


Thanks in advance,

Craig

[rustylady]

If you're getting the plastic ones for free then take them - they work fine. I have two of the Dalek type on my allotment and also a largish compost heap which is enclosed on 3 sides by metal panels (courtesy of the previous tenant). I've put a wood panel across the front to stop stuff falling out and cover the heap with a piece of old carpet. Easily removed when I want to add more compost material and it keeps the heat in and the rain off.

Leaves for leafmould work better in heavy plastic sacks (the type compost is sold in, or heavy duty household waste sacks. Fill with wet leaves, cram in as many as you can, tie the top, and pierce some holes with a garden fork.

[Bill HH]

I have 3 plastic Dalek ones, I get on alright with them, it can be quite hard to turn the compost so I bought a tool that you push in and as you pull it out it opens up and lifts compost from the bottom to the top. (Only about £12 online) However you soon learn to chop everything up when you compost it to make that easier. They tend to be neater than old pallets,also when the tax man calls you can hide in them.

[Veggielot]

I went for 3 pallet bins because the pallets were free no other reason really.

[Martin H]

In my garden I made my own bins out of decking planks and stained them with Cupr1n0l to make them look respectable. But on the allotment I just use three pallets at the moment. I need some more pallets to make a double (or treble) bin so I'm keeping my eyes open.

I don't worry too much about mixing green and brown in optimum proportions. I'm reassured by the fact that any heap of vegetable matter, however treated, will eventually rot down into useable compost. So there's a limit to how wrong you can get things. I do generally manage to turn the heap once in its life though.

I find the trouble with the plastic bins is they aren't really big enough. If you've got a decent size heap, say minimum 1 metre cube, it's going to (a) rot down quicker, and (b) be big enough to hide you when the tax man calls.

[veggiechicken]

My problem with the daleks is the fiddly little opening on the top - I usually want to dump buckets full of stuff in at once, or tip a wheelbarrow load in - just not practical. They're also a bit tall for a diddy little person like me Pallet bins seem easier to manage although most of the time I just make mounds I don't have an allotment so don't have to keep it tidy

[crucy86]

Thanks for the responses everyone

As they are free ill take them, I may do a trial with a pallets as well and report back some findings!

I am LOVING the idea of hiding from the tax man though, that may seal the deal for me!

[Bigmallly]

I had sommat similar to this on't allotment & was much easier to use than the dalek shaped ones.

[alldigging]

I've got two of them clip together square ones. I can't clip it back together though

[Bigmallly]

They don't clip, you have to line the joints up and slide the parts into place (either up or down). Failing that, use thick cable ties if you can get hold of some.

[alldigging]

They don't clip, you have to line the joints up and slide the parts into place (either up or down). Failing that, use thick cable ties if you can get hold of some.

Ah yeah it's been a while since I tried - I remember they didn't line up very well with just me holding them.
Yeah I did think of cable ties. If I rinse them down I might get someone to help - but getting them lined up on my own to 'slide' was very hard so I gave up.

[Bigmallly]

I know what you mean, they are quite large for one person to handle. If you can get an extra pair of hands & some washing up liquid, it should be a lot easier.

[Two_Sheds]

I also have been offered 3x large plastic compost containers (the black type with a lid)

aka daleks.

Those are my personal preference (I have 9)

I never got on with pallet heaps, they dried out too much and were difficult to get the finished stuff out of.


I place my dalek where I want compost to go (say, on the brassica bed). When it's full, I move the dalek to the next place that needs compost.
The unrotted stuff goes back in the dalek, the rotted stuff is simply raked out over the bed where it sits.

Simples



I also do a lot of Chop n Drop composting now. Things like green manures, old stalks, leaves etc get roughly chopped with secateurs, then dropped on the soil surface, as a mulch.

Further info & photos in the Fac3book link below

[grahamR]

Made my own out of left-over pallets planks screwed on to 2x2. Slightly over a cubic metre in size with a removable lid. Cost about a fiver (for the 2x2, screws and wood treatment) sturdy and capacious, it will take some filling.


Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum mobile app

[dim]

large tumbler compost bin placed in full sun.... you can get decent compost in 28 days if you have the correct ratios of ingredients