Yes - absolutely no problems using compost bins on concrete slabs. All of mine are on concrete and they are full of brandlings (red worms) and other creepy crawlies which help the composting process. I am convinced there must be worm eggs in the soil still attached to the plants when they're put in the bins - because I can't think how else they can get in there!
Mine are on concrete partly because I'm rat phobic (they can easily burrow into bins directly in contact with the soil) but it also makes life much easier cleaning up the area after you've turned or emptied the bin. A small dalek type bin would probably work for you.
The most important things (IMO) are to get a nice balance of green and brown material, to keep the moisture levels right and to chop plant material up to provide lots of surface area for bacteria and fungi to work on.
I LOVE composting (sad isn't it?) and would encourage everybody to do it. However, I wonder what you plan to use your compost for? Do you have any borders (homemade compost makes the best mulch) or do you plan to use it to top dress pots etc? It's not really suitable for use as a seed sowing medium or as a potting compost on it's own in the form it leaves the bin.
If you have pots with shrubs and perennials you could could certainly use it to top dress those. Or you could mix it with shop bought multi-purpose compost to fill containers.
Personally, I'd go a bit easy putting too much kitchen waste straight into the bin - it might attract rats. I think you now know to never add dairy, meats or cooked food. You might like to consider a Bokashi bin to semi-process the kitchen waste first (including some of the otherwise forbidden items):
The bulk of material in a compost bin would ideally be plant / garden derived mixed with browns like cardboard, wool, paper etc as previously listed. If you don't have a lot of garden / plant waste of your own, perhaps you could persuade any neighbours who also grow plants to make regular donations to your bin. Better for them to help out your composting than sending it to landfill.
I really hope you can find a way to start composting. It's quite a fascinating process when you get into it. Good luck🙂
Will be using it for top dressing and bulking out bought compost for more established plants, rather than young seedlings
I don't have any borders: all concrete so lots of compost needed for pots (not easy when you don't have a car!)
Thanks for all the info, I'm looking forward to getting started, and feel a bit more knowledgeable, having read everyone's posts
Posts
I don't have any borders: all concrete so lots of compost needed for pots (not easy when you don't have a car!)
Thanks for all the info, I'm looking forward to getting started, and feel a bit more knowledgeable, having read everyone's posts