Kitchen Garden Forum

A year ago our Council wrongly delivered a wheelie bin to us. We're not in a wheelie bin area and as they've never collected it I'm wondering whether it could be converted into a compost maker as my open compost heaps take ages to rot down. Any tips please?

I'd drill a few holes near the bottom and go for it

Alan

Dear Primrose, first job would be to drill some holes in the bottom, if not you will get a lot of mush in the bottom,
The other thing that will be a problem is that it will be awkward to empty, as it will be very heavy when full, it will mean trying to tip it over and dragging the compost out.
I suppose you could cut a opening in the front at the bottom, and just lean something at the opening to stop the compost falling out.
I'm sure you will get some ingenious answers later.

Primrose

If it's drilled without thought, it's lost a number of potential functions.

If you drill the right size hole for a waterbutt tap, you can then put a raised grid in the bottom of the bin, and draw off any liquid via the tap. You could manage the bin as a wormery or comfrey/nettle tea/liquid manure maker.

Mole

I would drill holes all around the sides, too, to get some air in, but not large enough to let in mice. We make our compost in three large dustbins (not wheelie bins) and it works very well.