I had a couple at my last house. Apart from not finding the compost in them very easy to mix, they did a good job making compost. One rested for a year while I filled the other and so on......

thanks for that OJ

I'd agree with Ojibway about the compost not being easy to mix, but I have one stuck in a corner by the garden wall and it works fine.

We've got a total of four plastic compost bins two in our garden and two where we grow the veggies they all work perfectly fine and we never attempt to 'mix' the compost simply leave it to rot down. Then Bulba opens the bottom and removes. If anything isn't properly rotted it goes back into the bin. Compost heaps need turning but not bins.

I was sceptical of the plastic bins when we first got them but now, after several years use, I prefer them to our old wooden ones.

I was so envious to read "then Bulba opens..." Its not a job I look forward to!

I am happy with my plastic compost bin too..I do turn my compost in mine,with a long handled three prong fork..no problem,but find it a bit harder on hands and knees ,getting it out of the removable 'cat flap' at the bottom..kneeling mat comes in handy..:o)

Agree bloomer kneeling mat is useful!

more so if I remember it,Mg..had a lot of muddy knees ! :o)

I agree with the others. For turning, I have a stirring stick that came with a Green Johanna food composter. It's a broom handle with "wings" that come out (in theory) when you pull the broom handle back out of the compost and help to mix it. It's quite fun to use - and see all the millions of brandling worms in the compost. :-)

That sounds good,Beattie..I love seeing all those little red worms doing their job too :o)

thank you all for all your useful information looks like a yes then, can even get a base for them, thanks again

What do you mean by 'a base', Dave? The bin should sit directly on the soil to allow the worms etc to get in and out.

I haven't seen them with bases,Dave...they are better stood on the ground,I think..I wonder how any surplus water would drain away,as you need to add a little water if it is looking very dry, or it won't compost down,and the worms need to get in..I have to add some to mine occasionally,and then turn it to mix in..just my thoughts,others may think differently,but it works for me..

oops,we crossed there,Bulba..:o)

thanks all again think i'll skip the base,bulbaholic if you go on website[www.wbc.getcomposting.com]it shows you the base on the extras for compost bins, as you say i think its better sitting on the soil

i have to agree with mg as you realy shouldnt have to mix the compost up as bye the time it reaches the bottem it should be fine eventualy . as a basic rule of thumb i never mix would with soil if i can help it . my pagoda over my pond is bolted to the blocks on the raised pond and the woods as solid as when i built it nearly 14 years ago .