Kitchen Garden Forum

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.

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.

Perhaps put a tap at the bottom to drain off the liquid?

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.

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.