Wire compost cages

[Primrose]

This is a very long shot but the square wire compost cages I bought 30 years ago are now sadly rusting and falling apart and I'd love to replace them with identical models if anybody knows where I could track some down. They consisted of four sturdy wire panels for the sides, with plastic clips which linked the upright steel rod on each side of the panel together.

This made it ideal for digging out matured compost because you simply unclipped the whole of the front panel like a gate for digging out the compost.

Any ideas if this type of compost cage is still available? I've searched on the internet without success and suspect they're probably no longer manufactured.

[peter]

Make your own in that style, visit a fencing retailer and check out the wire mesh panels, alternatively use concrete reinforcing mesh 8'x4' and cut or bend.

[Beryl]

Sounds easy Peter but is that the kind of thing us ladies could cope with?
Sometimes you lads forget we don't have the physical strength of a man although always willing to have a go.

Beryl.

[Kleftiwallah]

Physical strength can be assisted by fulcrums and pivots. Snips can be made easier to work by adding a bit of tubing on each handle and if snips are still to strong, use a junior hacksaw to cut the wires. If you stand back and think about it, things can be down with a little lateral thinking and ingenuety. Best wishes on your project. Cheers, Tony.

[sally wright]

Dear Primrose,
bolt croppers are very useful for cutting up wire mesh panels. Also try googling the word gabion. These are wire mesh and might make finding what you want easier.
Regards Sally Wright.

[John]

Hello Primrose
I don't know where to get these metal cages but have you thought about using one of those one tonne bags that builders use for sand etc. I have several of these on the go. I support them by the corner loops with 'road pins' which are those metal rods about 3 ft high that have a hook at one the end. When one bag is full I empty it into my council dalek with fresh grass mowings mixed in, give the contents a thorough soaking and pop the lid on.
You can scrounge these bags from building sites but you will probably have to buy some pins - about £10 for a bundle of ten at a builder merchants. Sometimes you see the smaller half tonne bags around which might be more convenient if space is short.

John

[alan refail]

Hi Primrose

Is this what you had in mind?





http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/ ... id=LS8744D

[Primrose]

Alan - that was exactly what I had in mind ! Thank you so much! My OH has been searching around the internet for some and I'll give him this link as they're down on my Christmas present list !!

I plan to line them with some very thick polythene sheeting I've got to keep the heat in, but find this type is much easier to dig out than the plastic Dalek compost bins which only have a small sliding slot opening at the bottom which it isn't easy to get a spade into. Thanks again.

[alan refail]

Dear Primrose

Glad to have been of help. Enjoy your present