"Well Rotted"

If you would like advice from the Kitchen Garden editorial team, ask here. Steve, Emma or Tony will pop in with their best advice.

Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter

pontersman
KG Regular
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:52 pm
Been thanked: 1 time

After 34 years I have to give up my allotment. I have a small veg patch at home so can continue pottering! I will still have a good supply of fresh horse manure but finding a place to stack it is proving difficult. My question is will it rot down in a wheely bin? I suppose it would be with the lid closed as otherwise I would have to make holes in the bottom and then lose all the "goodness". Any advice, please? Pontersman.
Westi
KG Regular
Posts: 6209
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:46 pm
Location: Christchurch, Dorset
Has thanked: 1138 times
Been thanked: 439 times

Hi pontersman, I bet you miss your allotment, what a shame you had to give it up.

I would think a wheely bin would be an excellent composter as it will absorb the heat & retain it longer so the manure will break down quicker; but continue to treat the manure the same as you would if weeds in the bin; so give it a stir around so you get it all ready to go when needed. Any bits that don't break down can just be added back into the bin for the next batch.
Westi
Colin2016
KG Regular
Posts: 978
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2016 3:33 pm
Location: North Norfolk Coast
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 75 times

Perhaps put a tap at the bottom to drain off the liquid?
User avatar
Geoff
KG Regular
Posts: 5652
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 5:33 pm
Location: Forest of Bowland
Been thanked: 204 times

I think it will rot down fine in a wheelie bin but I would have thought it would be difficult to handle. How do you get your manure? If it comes in poly bags I would just stack the bags or if it comes loose round up some bags to fill. If you are digging rather than mulching I don't think it has to be that well rotted if you bury it in the Autumn.
pontersman
KG Regular
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:52 pm
Been thanked: 1 time

Geoff wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 8:16 am I think it will rot down fine in a wheelie bin but I would have thought it would be difficult to handle. How do you get your manure? If it comes in poly bags I would just stack the bags or if it comes loose round up some bags to fill. If you are digging rather than mulching I don't think it has to be that well rotted if you bury it in the Autumn.
thank you. I don't think handling would be a problem as it is easy to tip the bin over(on wheels) and shovel it out.
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic