[erainn]

Just became happy, but daunted, allotment tenants currently scrabbling around trying to digest a seemingly endless supply of advice, techniques, soil knowlege, etc; phew! it's tough work and we have not even removed the grass yet Our plot comes with a standard plastic compost bin around 4 feet high, that currently is full and I'm wondering what's the most effective (back-pain free) method of turning material in these sort of bins?

[justviolet]

I used to have a couple like that in my garden. What I did was lift it up and off then fork the stuff back in again. I wonder if there is an easier way though.

Good luck with your plot, exciting isn't it!

[JayG]

You can use a compost-stirring tool which has folding "V"-shaped wings at the end; you push it down into the compost (wings fold up) then pull it upwards (wings unfold) to heave stuff up from the bottom.

I do use mine sometimes but I can't say it's that easy on the back; it's probably easier to lift the bin off the compost (like making sand pies!) then fork it all back in bit by bit.

[erainn]

Thanks for the tips

[Gizzy]

Just became happy, but daunted, allotment tenants currently scrabbling around trying to digest a seemingly endless supply of advice, techniques, soil knowlege, etc; phew! it's tough work and we have not even removed the grass yet Our plot comes with a standard plastic compost bin around 4 feet high, that currently is full and I'm wondering what's the most effective (back-pain free) method of turning material in these sort of bins?

I've got one of those and turn the compost the same way. I find it fiddly to use as putting it back in means raising the fork up high. I'm wanting to build one out of pallets as they look easier to get into and get turning the compost.

[solway cropper]

I don't bother turning mine but it does take longer to rot down. I have a long iron bar which I ram down from the top and waggle about a bit. That allows a bit of air to get into the middle.

I suppose it depends how soon you want the compost.