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Do you compost? and 'how'?

post #1 of 15
5/10/10 at 6:38am
Thread Starter 
I am SOOOOOOOOO wanting to compost. I've read methods from labor intensive-almost free; to the $400 countertop ice chest looking thing at Target that does it all for you.

At the moment, we simply dump organic matter that would be suitable for composting, over the back wall. I'd RATHER get compost that I could use as well as simply saving things from the landfill.

I thought I'd found the answer when I read about using a large trashcan (with lots of holes). In this method, you simply lay the can down and roll it back and forth to 'stir'. I thought I could handle that with my back; hubby disagrees, says it'll get too heavy. He wants to wait until we can get a 'real' compost bin.

What/how do you do it?
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post #2 of 15
5/10/10 at 7:16am
We have a composter that looks like an oversized Darth Vader helmet - kind of like this one 58-Gallon Compost Bin.
We got it through the local government agency that oversees garbage and recycling pickups - paid $35 for it.
It's very easy to use - it has long bolts that you screw into the ground to keep the wind from blowing it over. You just open the lid and dump in kitchen scraps, grass clippings, etc. It has a panel on the front that lifts up to allow you to remove compost. I stir it periodically with a shovel, but there is also an aerating tool that you can buy Metal Pile Turner and Aerator - composting accessories composters at GCRugs.com.
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post #3 of 15
5/10/10 at 7:26am
I built my own out of chicken wire.

I now have it half way full. I read that the best mix is to use 3 parts leaves, 1 part food scraps, 1 part garden weeds and 1 part grass clippings to get the best results. I just use a shovel or pitch fork to stir it around. I just started it so it will take a few months to get where I want it.
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post #4 of 15
7/29/10 at 5:44am
My husband and son are building one this week and I'd love some tips for composting. It's something I've wanted to do, but it took my 12 year old son to actually do something about it! He is doing it as an extra credit project for outdoor school and it looks fantastic - it should be built by tonight
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post #5 of 15
7/29/10 at 8:13am
I've steered away from "garden" composting in the past because frankly I have a brown thumb and wondered what I'd do with the all the soil after...I mean really how much soil does a garden of 6 tomato plants LOL!

How long does it take to get usable soil approx. if you're constantly feeding the bin?

My city has a compost waste program which has way more "dumping" options (cooking oils, fats...) so I've started using that program.
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post #6 of 15
7/30/10 at 5:17pm
I have been composting for about a year now, both winter and summer. We too had the darth vader helmet and liked it very much. We never really got to the usable compost stage with this one, but it might be we didn't stir it well enough. It's hard to dig down into it. We're a 4 person family with a fairly large yard and it took us around 9 months to even fill it 3/4 of the way.

Recently, we bought one that you turns: used for $40! It looks like a keg on its side with a handle. The previous owner had used sand paper tape (?) to give it enough friction to actually turn, but it's still pretty hard. We rolled it for about 6 weeks, then bought worms. The worms have been in there for about 3 weeks. It's turned to usable compost a lot faster. Of course, it had a years worth of table scraps, etc!

I really like composting. Makes me feel less guilty when I let something go to waste
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post #7 of 15
7/30/10 at 5:28pm
Wow you guys are good, I have seen rain barrels for sale at our local botanical garden. I am going to talk to my dh about getting something. I think my boys would love it, and hey if we ended up with to much usable soil I bet it wouldn't be hard to give away
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post #8 of 15
9/29/10 at 7:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrs_teeee67 View Post

I am SOOOOOOOOO wanting to compost. I've read methods from labor intensive-almost free; to the $400 countertop ice chest looking thing at Target that does it all for you.

What/how do you do it?


You can go to your local hardware store and ask if you can have 4 wooden pallets. It costs the stores money to dispose of the pallets at the dump so they are more than happy to give them away.

You will need either metal or wooden stakes to put through each end of each pallet (7). 6 if you buy hinges for the pallet that becomes your door. You will need chicken wire which can be stapled to the inside of each pallet. This helps keep the larger critters out. Place the back of your compost bin first then each of the sides. You will want to make sure that your side pallets are up against the back pallet as close as you can get it.

It takes about 1 1/2 hours for two people to put together.

Don't be surprised if you get a spider who builds a web inside. My spider finally figured out that building the web in the middle of the bin wasn't a good idea so she moved it off to the side where I didn't dump the scraps.
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post #9 of 15
5/1/12 at 1:41pm

Is it necessary to use a bin?  Or, can you compost by simply adding layers of natural waste? 

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post #10 of 15
5/1/12 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kim View Post

Is it necessary to use a bin?  Or, can you compost by simply adding layers of natural waste? 

A bin is more effective and looks a little nicer in your yard.
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