Topic: Building materials for Manure/Compost Heap

[raisedbedted]

Hi All,

Not strictly horticultural more DIY questions.

I want to build a 2 bay construction about 8' X 8' to house manure and compost.  The material choices so far are;

Corrugated iron - where do you buy it?
Corrugated PVC - is it strong enough?
Exterior grade Ply - will it rot.

Looking for simple construction of posts holding sides and back in place,

All advice greatly appreciated.

[gary]

Find some where that has old unwanted pallets, and either screw/lean together or strip them down.

Will not last for ever but if you can get them for free as I and most others do what does it matter?

Gary

[Blue Bird]

Agree with Gary pallets are the best and free

Cheap is good but free is BETTER ;D ;D

[supersprout]

Old doors, strong cord, and posts.
Make your compost heap movable, and all the nurrishment that drains through will go into the soil underneath it. As you move it around the plot, think of all those areas getting nurrished! Or put small compost bins around the plot, so there's less far to cart the good stuff to the bed?

[cornykev]

Pallets ;D ;D ;D

[Normie]

If you go to your  local Freecycle (http://freecycle.org/) group you should be able to pickup a load of free pallets. I've just put in a request for some and I've been overwhelmed by the number of offers.

Cheers,
Ian

[woppa30]

Agree with the pallets. I staple chicken wire to the insides of mine to help prevent the stuff falling out. I also sprayed it with wood preservative (cuprionol sprayer thing) and I use cable ties to hold it all together.
Although I don't move it around the plot I am digging my old heap out and spreading the soil that was at the bottom to other areas to make sure that I get the most out of my heaps.
You may want to think about having two heaps. One thats rotting and another that you add to. When I want compost I take the top stuff off the old heap, which invariable isn't yet rotten, and add it to the new heap. It helps add the bugs, bacteria, worms and fungi to the new heap that help it rot.

[bennettsleg]

for a single bay: 4 pallets, 8 cable ties, preferably two people.
for each additional bay: 3 pallets, 8 cable ties, probably get away with one person.
For each bay: old carpet cut to fit on the top of each bay to help keep the heat in.

My manure is in a big mound and currently uncovered. Does it need to be covered? On our site some are covered, some are left uncovered. Any idea what the pros & cons are?

[cornykev]

Cover it, or all the goodness will be washed away in the rain.    ;D ;D ;D