This idea was given to me by John Adams. As such it comes with a proviso. John is brilliant at DIY, especially modifying pallets. He writes about pallet benches, raised beds, even how he made an Arondack chair in Permaculture magazine. I am practical but no pallet upcycling genius and I knocked his idea together in 10 minutes by eye. I should have used a ruler!
If you own a Hotbin you know it works: they can easily reach 60oC (140oF) with a little tinkering with manure or grass clippings. I put my Hotbin in the greenhouse as a little engine over winter and move it outside in Spring when my peach espalier comes into flower and I need to hand pollinate the flowers. The trouble is, Hotbins can exude a little brown liquid as they compost. Not a big problem but it makes sense to catch it.
The solution is simple. Take a pallet.
Cut the top slats at the quarter mark, add a couple of slats to the base from the discarded part of the pallet and renail one block under the new corner you have created that was formerly the middle of the pallet. Enhance the top of the quarter pallet with an additional slat if you wish.
Cut a strip from a thick plastic sack and nail it to the rim of the pallet at the front to protect the wood from rotting as the liquid drips down.
Place the quarter pallet in situ under the Hotbin. Add a tray to catch the drips below. Tuck it as far under the Hotbin as possible to prevent it filling with rain.
Harvest as it fills and dillute the liquid. Use as a fertilsers for your plants.
Maddy Harland is the editor and co-founder of Permaculture magazine and Permanent Publications.
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Leachate
Liquid
Liquid