plastic lining wooden compost bin?

[purplekat]

Hi,
I'm in the middle of building some compost bins on the allotment from my old raised bed sides. They were pressure treated rough timber but are starting to break down slightly in places. I'm trying to think what will be the best way to preserve them as long as possible. With it being compost I don't really want to treat the wood again.

Is it going to be better to leave the wood exposed so that it can breathe, but is then sat against compost permanently, or line with plastic? (I'm guessing this may actually hold some water condensation against the wood)

[Alison]

I've never lined mine as I want worms etc to be able to get good access and to be honest I'd rip it when I turn them

[roitelet]

An old cheap tarpaulin on the sides works well. Keeps the compost away from the wood and if it is of the woven type allows the wood to breathe. I line the base of mine with old loose laid brick or small green logs and have used landscape membrane. They all allow the worms in.

[Jungle Jane]

I would line it with something black to attract the sun also paint the outside of the wood with a nice cuprinol shade.

[purplekat]

Now there's an idea, I have quite a few builders bags knocking about, they are woven so hopefully breathe a bit more than plastic.

Is the base just to make it easier to dig out? I've always just had mine sat on the soil, so the worms come in that way

[purplekat]

I would line it with something black to attract the sun also paint the outside of the wood with a nice cuprinol shade.

I want to paint the outside but it's got to be green or brown on the allotment! Plus I think I need the wood to dry out a bit first

[Potstubsdustbins]

I hope the pressure treated timber is post 2000 before that there were some very bad nasty's in the treatment liquid which can leech out.

After that date the treatment change and is perfectly OK

[roitelet]

Is the base just to make it easier to dig out? I've always just had mine sat on the soil, so the worms come in that way

Yes, if you have a solidish surface at the bottom it makes life easier.

[purplekat]

They're about 8years old so well after that thankfully.

[Potstubsdustbins]

^^^^^yep they will be fine.................