[nerdle]

I'm currently looking to buy a compost bin but it occurs to me that a set of large plastic storage boxes might do just as good a job.  It would be easier to get the compost out etc.   Must the compost be in contact with the ground? Is there a reason compost bins have no bottom?

The one I have was given to me - its full and I have to tip it up to get compost out.  Did this last year and eveything just spilled out everywhere.

[cadalot]

Don't buy a compost bin look on freecycle in my area they come up all the time 

[nerdle]

Thank you - I've put my 'wanted' message out there!

[JayG]

Not sure how you were planning to use the storage boxes, but I would have thought that even large ones are a bit small to be ideal, plus you need to consider how you are going to allow air in to the compost, and control the amount of moisture in it.

Dalek compost bins are usually tapered, and being bottomless you should be able to just lift it off the contents rather than having to tip it out - with any luck the not-quite-ready stuff will be at the top and can be lifted off into another bin leaving the good stuff in a nice tidy pile just like a sand-pie! 

Good luck with Freecycle. 

[nerdle]

Thankyou!
I tried this - my sandcastle was more like the Fred Dibnah's chimney (after he'd collaped it) and it was an unpleasant clearing up experience. 
Thought I'd just get a second bin and fill that while the first one 'matures'.  If I got some huge storage boxes I could fill and stack them - then easy access to compost  Do they need air?  Could just drill some holes... These would be ratproof also.

[JayG]

Don't forget that, depending to some extent on what you're composting and how tightly you packed it in your material is likely to shrink by at least 50% from start to finish, so will need topping up and mixing more than once to make the most of the space.

Not a good idea to pack it in too tightly in the first place, because composting does need some air - the more the better if you want to promote aerobic composting and produce compost in the shortest possible time.

Sorry your heap collapsed - perhaps watering it before the ceremonial un-daleking may have helped produce a more stable compost-castle?!   

[nerdle]

Hey - you might've solved my problem!!!!

Might try that now!!!!

Kxx

[allotment-shed]

Mick Poutney is an expert on producing compost in about 4 weeks using plastic bins.
Take a look at his video on You Tube: KgVY5UdiIgY

[nerdle]

Crumbs - he know his composting!

[allotment-shed]

Thanks Nerdle.
Please share the link with anyone who could be interested.
Mick is even better to listen to live, such as RHS Malvern or NVS talks. Look out for him you won't be disappointed.
Bye for now.

[nerdle]

Already shared with with a friend who does proper gardening (not like me - I plant things and they die). I just need somewhere to put hen poo.  Just one view was a great education thank you.

Incidentally there are contrete mixer things you can get for fast composting these days.

[cadalot]

Or Make your own see https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rotating+compost+bin