John Wheeler wrote:
"sand and sun" wrote in message
ups.com...
I like to start an organic compost bin at the corner of my garden.
After reading this group, my idea to get started is to have a 4-5' high
wire mesh (the smallest mesh size) rolled about 5' diameter. Keep the
roll standing on its sides vertically on a level ground or optionally
on top of a layer of stone/cement patio/walkway blocks. With adequate
support to keep the wire roll (bin) falling on its side. Then fill the
wire bin with 1 layer of grass clippings, lop it with 1 layer of bunny
house bedding (woodshave or brown paper shreddings + its organic waste)
collected while cleaning its hutch, and other kitchen waste, then one
layer of sand or garden soil and leaves. At about 1-2' from the ground,
insert couple of 6' long 1" pvc pipes horizontally with drilled holes,
criss-cross to one another inserted thru a hole made on the wire mesh
on opposite sides, spray it with water from garden hose. Repeat the
process till the bin in full. Then cover it with a tarp. If can get
some red or garden worms add them on top of the pile. Do I miss
anything? The only downside I see in this plan is that I wont be able
to turn the bin of this size. Is that Ok?

TIA

Sam.
USDA Zone 6

Mixing is important. I'd leave the pipes out, they will make it difficult
to mix. If the texture is fine, you could put some cuttings from shrubs in
to help bring in oxygen. Of course, turning is the best way to add oxygen.
_________________
John Henry Wheeler
Washington, DC
USDA Zone 7

Mixing is important, and putting the compost in a pile instead of in a
box makes the job of mixing easier because we can attack the pile from
all sides to mix things, and we can re-organize the compile piles in
small number of piles or one large pile easier without the compost bin
to get in the way. If someone doesn't like to see the compost pile, he
can plant flowers or shrubs in front of it and the compost pile will
disappear in the background. In my opinion, a compost pile with or
without flowers in front of it looks nicer than a huge plastic compost
bin.

Jay Chan