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Turning water butt into compost bin

historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
in Problem solving
I have a large water butt that has sprung leaks ( too many to repair) can I use this as a compost bin - I have never made compost before, so any suggestions very welcome.
Thanks

Posts

  • Pauline 7Pauline 7 Posts: 2,246
    I have never had a compost bin.....not got the room, but my first thoughts were " how would you get the compost out?"
    West Yorkshire
  • historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
    Thank you Pauline 7 I too had this thought so hoping for suggestions. My son has suggested cutting a "door"
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited October 2020
    It might be difficult to empty.
    When mine got leaky I cut it in half, drilled holes in the base and put the lid in the upturned top half to make two large (but not very ornamental) tubs. This year I grew potatoes in them. You could maybe use the top half as a small compost bin, like a short dalek bin, and just lift it off when it's time to turn off the contents.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • SydRoySydRoy Posts: 167
    Initially I was going to say, yes but turning it may be tricky and you won't actually end up with a lot of product at the end of the process. It can probably be used for leafmould though?
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Oops , I meant "when it's time to turn the contents". Bloomin' autocomplete.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    We’ve got those blue farm containers for compost, cut the bottoms out completely then you can overturn the thing every so often to give it a stir up.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    If it's very high it's too difficult to turn. But cutting it down and with a bit of ingenuity, it could be great. If it's a big butt, maybe you could make two compost bins out of it.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    I'd adapt it exactly as Lyn suggested.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • historymanhistoryman Posts: 141
    Thank you all for suggestions I like the idea of cutting in two and using for potatoes.
    Thanks again.
  • JohnnypJohnnyp Posts: 71
    Just made a compost bin out of a spare wheelie bin I have , I cut a flap in the bottom about 4 inches up from the bottom and driller lots of hole to aireat the leaves,grass clippings etc that I intend to put in it  ,you might be able to do the same with your water butt ? I shall post pics to give you a better idea , it might be more difficult to do if the water butt is round .
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