Composter building

[mr_tomato_head]

Hey

Wondering if someone can help me out. I've searched the net trying to find out if I can use a clear plastic storage box as a composter but no one mentions if it would be alright. I know that worms wouldn't survive in it due to it being clear plastic, but I don't intend of letting worms in. Would it be ok to use for composting - with some holes etc drilled in the sides? Was thinking of spray painting it black..but then I worry about chemicals being washed off into surrounding area. Any help advice would be much appreciated.

[alldigging]

I wouldn't waste a good box as a composter. Much more use for it for storing seeds.

Pallets - or just a stack on the ground will do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce7IVl-glaQ

[veggiechicken]

What do you want to compost in it - just vegetation/ kitchen waste?

[mr_tomato_head]

Is there any disadvantage to just having a pile? Garden is small and neighbours are close proximity so worried about possible smell etc.

Yea mostly kitchen waste from vegetables, old plants and grass from cutting?

[mr_tomato_head]

Cheers for the video link, very informative.

[veggiechicken]

I just pile mine up!! You could dig a hole or a trench, fill it with your green stuff, top it off with soil and grow something in it like beans or courgettes
Welcome to the Grapevine by the way

[mr_tomato_head]

Ok I'll use the box for some better uses, thanks for the help!

[alldigging]

A black plastic dalek type can probably be aquired free via freecycle or fairly cheap through your council - whilst not the most pretty of things it'll hide all the compost.

They don't really smell unless you put lots of really rank stuff in them - in summer keep some grass clippings aside to cover layers of veg peelings as it cuts down on flies and any possible smell.

[Two_Sheds]

if I can use a clear plastic storage box as a composter

I've used clear pots in the garden, and they quickly become green and slimy with algae

I don't intend of letting worms in.

Pray tell, how you're going to keep them out ?

Was thinking of spray painting it black.

Just buy a black one?

[Two_Sheds]

Is there any disadvantage to just having a pile?

It's untidy, and will get untidier as blackbirds and other critters dig through it searching for insects

worried about possible smell etc.

A properly made compost heap won't smell: I have one full of dog poo, about 8ft from the kitchen door. No smell.

Yea mostly kitchen waste from vegetables, old plants and grass from cutting?

They are all "greens". You need to mix in some "browns".

The easiest way is to wrap your kitchen peelings in a sheet or two of newspaper.

Grass clippings are great in small amounts, but need to be limited to layers of one-two inches only, or they'll clag it all up.

I don't know how much lawn you have? I have guinea pigs on mine to eat most of it, then any extra clippings get sprinkled over the borders, where they act as a mulch and are quickly pulled down into the soil by worms.
Grass clippings are a fab mulch for potatoes and onions (and other things).