composting in a metal bin? would you?

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by IDigPerfectSquareHoles, Jun 20, 2011.

  1. IDigPerfectSquareHoles

    IDigPerfectSquareHoles Gardener

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    I've got a lidded metal bin at the bottom of the garden which is just a tad smaller than the grey/green council recycling bins. It's a leftover from the people who lived here before us so I don't know what it's made of exactly, but my guess is it's zink plated.

    I was thinkin, could I use that to compost greenery (only leaves etc., my kitchen waste goes in the wormery). I'm gonna have an awful lot of lawn grass with some soil, could that go in there? There isn't gonna be much air i'm afraid, but I'm limited in my composting options because 1) I've got a nosy toddler, and 2) I'm not allowed to have anything ugly and messy.

    I'm also a bit worried about it being zink, as zink will react with (and thereby leak into) anything acidic that comes into contact with it, but then again a bit of rotting grass shouldn't be acidic should it? Or would it?
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I think it should work a treat as a composter, the only thing is does it have a bottom? At the very least you will need some drainage holes in it for the compost sludge to run off, and better still if there was no bottom it will be in contact with the soil which aids compsting. Finally you need to think how easy it will be to get the compost out. You've got nothing to lose by trying it.
     
  3. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    Yup, JWK giving good advice, as always, and I agree with him.:thumbsup:

    Can I have that Fiver now, JWK?:D
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      We've got to disagree over something Armandii, people will start talking :heehee:

      No chance on the fiver for starters :thumb:
       
    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Well, that's a Fiver in the bin already, Idig, ready for composting.:D
       
    • IDigPerfectSquareHoles

      IDigPerfectSquareHoles Gardener

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      Cool! :happydance: If I plant that fiver rather than compost it, would I have a fiver tree? Or at least a bush? PLEEAASE? I promise to feed and weed it! :wub2:
       
    • IDigPerfectSquareHoles

      IDigPerfectSquareHoles Gardener

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      it does have a bottom, yes, as it's just a standard bin. I doubt I'd have enough to fill it up, I'd be surprised if I have it half full so that sorts the problem of getting out the end product. The sludge problem is more to the point, as I don't see myself drilling holes through an inch-thick sheet of metal :rolleyespink: would it be ok if I just put something in the bottom to soak up the sludge? Like lots of cardboard maybe?
       
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      It sounds unsuitable for normal composting. But it might work as an anaerobic composter but that's something I have no experience of. Maybe Ziggy or someone else here can help.
       
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