25 cu ft is about the minimum size of heap for hot garden composting. The larger volume enables the inside of the heap to attain very high temperatures of 60 degrees plus.

Slatted timber bin showing bottom door lifted air pipe & bricks not necessary

Of course, by enclosing and protecting the heap you not only retain more heat and moisture inside but also keep the garden heap tidy. So a good timber bin is always a garden asset.

Now, if you’re only composting small amounts the links to: static bins & tumbler bins on this page - may be more useful to you. Otherwise take a look around my big heaps on this page.

It’s over 15 years and a couple of moves since I first acquired my timber modular compost bin. Time for a new one I think and here it is.

To price Timber Composter Kit U.K. click image below.

Check out direct links to large Timber Bins here. It was delivered to me in a flat pack, holes pre-drilled and easy to assemble single handed – just take care to use the right size screws (included) for door-stops and joins etc... You also need a wall to help you with the assembly.

I cleared a level site that was too shaded to be productive. The new bin is now neatly aligned with my garden shed and garden path for access. I've planted 3 Comfrey plant around the outside.

Before assembly, I painted the wood sections with preserve to match the shed color. Bricks were loosely set under the sides to make a dry, solid and level surface that prevents rocking and flapping around - although this is not a problem when filled and the bricks aren’t essential - Also note from the above picture, my attempt to provide an under floor aeration channel – again unnecessary.

The polymer lid retains heat and moisture while keeping out excess rain. Fastening holes hook over 3 screws. These are perhaps best located in winter when the wood has expanded in the moist air. After hooking the lid shut I slid in a light timber bar to prevent the rain pool sagging the cover. I also cover the surface of the material inside with an additional plastic sheet and old carpet.

EARLY HEAP
Early summer is a good time to make a hot heap from all your greens:– waste spring cabbage, winter lettuce and rhubarb leaves; waste sprouts, surplus green manure plants, lush grass cuttings and saved autumn fall leaves, soft prunings, dead or surplus flower plants and spring pulled weeds all piled together. - You could add some comfrey or nettle leaves, and a sprinkling of chicken manure if short on greens. These make a splendid hot heap that may be ready to dig in by autumn.

LATE HEAP

Brown heap: shows weed waste topped with thin soil layer

However, a cold brown compost heap made from late summer to late autumn and left over winter also makes very good compost. You can use:- shredded hedge cuttings and fall leaves, grass cuttings, fruit drops; waste greens, tomato, cucumber, bean and plants, uninfected potato haulms, weeds and loads of other stuff to compost from late summer over autumn and winter. You’ll probably find it all finished by spring and it produces lovely stuff.

What I find often happens if you haven’t got enough waste material, is that a smaller warm heap cools down. You keep adding stuff before sealing up for winter. Then the worms get into it and by spring it has turned into lovely garden compost.
Get UK price for Slatted Timber Composter with bottom door & cover sheet

MY PREVIOUS MODULAR COMPOSTER
The pre-treated wood was guaranteed for 10 years - that was over 15 years ago. I didn't add anything extra. But now it's about time for a new one I think.

You slide in the timber slats between 4 posts. Top, bottom and middle slats have metal strips to lock the posts together. You can easily add an extra module. I turned material from one bin into the second bin to aerate it. I could also use one module to accumulate organic matter and one as the active heap. The cover sheets are also well worth it.

New Modular Timber Bin is here

Timber Bins are also available in America on this link. This one has galvanised wire back & sides ideal for demonstration purposes.

Modules allow one heap to cook while the other is being made.

37" x 37" x 35" high gives a larger capacity of 27 cu ft. For the gardener who has a garden to play with. A larger volume takes all you've got and heats up well. There is plenty of aeration so you should keep the heap covered.

If you're considering the worth of larger bins but haven't quite got enough garden waste it may be worth asking your friends and neighbhours for their garden waste.

It is often sensible to have 2 or 3 bins. One bin is used to collect material. (Having seperate piles for green, and woody etc... is useful) Then make your compost heap in the 2nd bin, while a 3rd bin is waiting to be emptied.

The above easy to assemble modules are available as single bins, as an add-on unit, or you save when you start with 2 modules.

Get UK price for large Slatted Timber Bin with bottom door & cover sheet like the one described above.

BOTTOM OF THE HEAP LINKS
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