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Soil, Compost & Mulch

Brand new to composting - will this work as a 'bin'?

16 years ago

After making 12 'earthboxes' this year I have been trying to figure out what to do with the leftover 'sawed up' rubbermaid half. Basically they are the top ~16" of an 18gal rubbermaid container with the bottom cut off. I am wondering if I were to connect 2 of the containers together with the open sides on the ground & at the top, if this would work as a smallish compost bin (I don't have the exact dimensions with me right now - would be something like 18"x24"x32"tall). Would the solid plastic sides cause problems? If so, would drainage holes drilled into the sides help? I'm trying to think of what to do with the leftover containers as I hate to just throw them out! Thanks! :)

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Comments (2)

bpgreen
16 years ago
That would be a little small for hot composting, but it could work. I would probably drill some holes in the side to help with air circulation.
robertzone6
16 years ago
I try to run 'hot' or at least 'warm' piles for my seven mesh piles. Four foot diameters, 24" or 30" high work out great. I prefer 1/4" mesh hardware cloth as less material falls out. Better than the 3'x3'x3' figure so often mentioned (probably because it is so easy to remember).
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LOL I shudda known one of you wise guys would come up with a "good" solution. No surprise that Lloyd understands cold winters as I've lived in Manitoba. :-) The reason for my inquiry is that I seem to recall there is someone here (no naming names) who has said (or at least implied) that if compost is "made" properly it will heat regardless of outdoor temps. So I really, really would love to know how to do this. We'll use this thing for the convenience factor and I'll give it my best effort and when weather improves the contents can be moved to a bin. Thanks for all the opinions and the laughs.
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