Rusty metal compost bin - Ask Extension
Hello! I made a compost bin out of a new metal garbage can three years ago, and now the inside is rather rusty.While shoveling the soil to my garden,...
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Rusty metal compost bin #547298
Asked March 15, 2019, 7:22 PM EDT
Hello!
I made a compost bin out of a new metal garbage can three years ago, and now the inside is rather rusty.
While shoveling the soil to my garden, I discovered that the soil in the lower part of the can is greenish.
I'm writing to ask you if this soil is full of metal, and should I avoid putting it in my vegetable garden?
What would be a better bin to use for compost?
Thank you for your time and assistance,
Sally Roberts
I made a compost bin out of a new metal garbage can three years ago, and now the inside is rather rusty.
While shoveling the soil to my garden, I discovered that the soil in the lower part of the can is greenish.
I'm writing to ask you if this soil is full of metal, and should I avoid putting it in my vegetable garden?
What would be a better bin to use for compost?
Thank you for your time and assistance,
Sally Roberts
Douglas County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi, Sally,
I apologize for the tardiness of this response. The CMG office is regularly staffed from April - Sept. Today was the first day a volunteer (me) was available this week.
I am not sure from your response if the green color is from metal - likely copper leaching from the rusting car - or from mold.
In either case, I would suggest that you discard it the composted soil just to be safe. It isn't so much the copper that would concern me, but the presence of other metals that the copper might indicate are there.
If it's mold, the soil is probably find to use. (But wear a mask!)
Regarding your question about composting containers. First, good for you for trying! Composting in our dry climate is very difficult to do. I am attaching a link that may give you some ideas for materials and some hints for successful composting. http://cmg.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/246.pdf
Besides the materials listed in this article, you could try building a pit out of large concrete blocks, especially if you have a good amount of material to compost.
I hope this is helpful.
I apologize for the tardiness of this response. The CMG office is regularly staffed from April - Sept. Today was the first day a volunteer (me) was available this week.
I am not sure from your response if the green color is from metal - likely copper leaching from the rusting car - or from mold.
In either case, I would suggest that you discard it the composted soil just to be safe. It isn't so much the copper that would concern me, but the presence of other metals that the copper might indicate are there.
If it's mold, the soil is probably find to use. (But wear a mask!)
Regarding your question about composting containers. First, good for you for trying! Composting in our dry climate is very difficult to do. I am attaching a link that may give you some ideas for materials and some hints for successful composting. http://cmg.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/246.pdf
Besides the materials listed in this article, you could try building a pit out of large concrete blocks, especially if you have a good amount of material to compost.
I hope this is helpful.
