Compost bin

[eileen54]

I had to get rid of my compost bin that I had from the council as the badgers kept tipping it over and leaving the contents spread over the garden , I don't have room for a home built wooden one , does anyone know if I can use an old plastic dustbin.
Eileen

[mothhawk]

Hi Eileen, welcome to the vine.

Yes you can use a dustbin if you cut the bottom out, or at least make some holes in the base to allow drainage, but surely badgers will tip that just as easily?

Were there lots of worms in your old compost bin that attracted the badgers, or have you been putting food waste in (by which I mean cooked food, rather than peelings, cabbage leaves etc)?

[mothhawk]

Oh, wait, by council compost bin, do you mean a wheelie bin that they empty every week or so?

[eileen54]

Compost bin

Thanks for replying, it was proper garden compost bin, the type you buy from the council. No there weren't any food scraps in there, the badger used to just knock it over . The bin I have in mind to use is in a place where I can wedge it in so I might give it a try .It is an old bin and I have nothing to lose.
Eileen

[Bigmallly]

Can you not stick with the compost bin & anchor a bungee cord over it.

[eileen54]

Hi Bigmally, garden has been re designed so have to hide it behind the summerhouse or hubby won't entertain the prospect and no room behind there, also it is paving so won't be able to anchor it. one thing though if the badger tips it it will be out of sight. Only thinking this way as it has just cost me a fortune for over 300 litres of compost for my new vegtrug
Eileen

[veggiechicken]

Hi Eileen and welcome
Just wondering how much compostable stuff you generate. Is it household peelings or a lot of garden waste?

[eileen54]

Hi yes it is mainly veg peelings we have a lot , I eat a lot of veg. Some garden waste goes in but I pay the council to take a garden bin, or we would have too many grass cuttings.
Eileen

[veggiechicken]

Could you have a couple of chickens? They'd clear up your peelings and grass cuttings and give you some lovely eggs in return!

Or, a wormery?

[eileen54]

Thanks for the replies, I am going to go with mothhawks putting holes in the bottom of the bin. I have had both chickens and quail in the past, but with the rats next door and the Fox that visits as well as the badger, they are not an option here. As for worms I have a very bad phobia of these.
Eileen

[DannyK]

If it's one of those green daleks it sounds like you've not got enough in it to weigh it down. Try putting the grass cuttings in mixed with paper and cardboard. Mine was impossible to move when it had a couple of feet of compost in it. Rats attack mine. Following a hint to put it on a slab they just gnawed through the base!

[slappy]

Compost bin

I have one of the plastic compost bins from the council. Mines has a lip around the base that i could drill holes in to put tent pegs though. I don't know iv this is an option for you.
Good luck