Tomato Facts

Compost Bins

There are many proprietry compost bins on the market today ranging from simple wire constructed compost bins to plastic "tumbler" compost bins and at the top end - sturdy wooden compost bins. Compost bins range widely in price and size so depending on the depth of your pockets you will be guided in your eventual choice. One word of advice - don't go for really small compost bins, they should be able to take at least 200 litres of waste.(Of course you can also make your own compost bin - this is covered in anoth article). Let's go through the different choices available to you.

Plastic Compost Bins

These are sturdy and long lasting with no extra aftercare needed. Easy to move around they represent good value for money. The prices usually range from around £70 to £150. See a wider range of plastic compost bins.

Earthmaker Compost Bin 

Thermo-King Composter

Wooden Compost Bins

Wooden compost bins are also very strong and sturdy but not only can they be very heavy to move around, they often don't last as long as a plastic bin unless they have either been specially treated or you take it upon yourself to look after them by regularly treating them with wood preserver.

Having said that, they always look, to my mind, much nicer in a garden than the plastic compost bin which I always hide behind a trellis. Surprisingly perhaps, they are not as expensive as you might think.

Often coming in kit form they are easily put together, often without the need for tools or nails, so perfect for the not so "DIYer"! And at the end of the day, they too are biodegradeable.

 Wooden compost bins range in price from around £40 to £100.

I have found that is a good idea to have at least 2 compost bins on the go. One that's filled, covered and breaking down the waste and one that you are in the process of filling. Hopefully, if all goes well by the time you have filled up the second compost bin the first one's contents will be ready to use.

Modular Wooden Compost Bins

Wooden Compost Bin and Module

Whatever type of compost bin you choose, they must be covered.  Keeping the top of your compost covered helps to keep the heat in, stops smells and also helps to stop waste material being blown around the garden, after all, the last thing you want is that pile of dry leaves that you've so painstakingly raked up being blown all around again! Good coverings include old carpet or lino, heavy duty plastic or even an old blanket.