I am interested in starting composting.
I would appreciate some advice on what type of bin to purchase and where to
get them.
There are only two of us in the house so we do not have a lot of kitchen
scraps but do have a LOT of oak leaves in the fall and grass cuttings in the
warmer months. I have a backyard vineyard which covers about 0.1 acre for
which I need to build up the organics and nutrients in the soil.

On Tue, 4 Nov 2003 05:48:44 -0500, "Paul E. Lehmann"
wrote:

I am interested in starting composting.
I would appreciate some advice on what type of bin to purchase and where to
get them.
There are only two of us in the house so we do not have a lot of kitchen
scraps but do have a LOT of oak leaves in the fall and grass cuttings in the
warmer months. I have a backyard vineyard which covers about 0.1 acre for
which I need to build up the organics and nutrients in the soil.



I really like the round wire bins. Get some 4' high "rabbit fencing"
which is much stronger than chicken wire. Use about 10 to 12 feet of
the fencing and fasten together using pliers. Cheap and easy. I
built 4 bins and they are are over 10 years old, still strong. You
can cut a "door" at the bottom of the bin, the same width as your
favorite shovel.

My recommendation is to get a 55 gallon drum and cut out both ends. Then
get 8 cinder blocks that measure 8high x 8wide x 16long. Place these two
high a bit further apart than the diameter of the drum in two walls such
that each wall is 16high x 8wide x 32long. Next get some metal bars long
enough to span the gap between the walls. Galvanized pipes will do, as will
rebar. I found the round metal stakes with nail holes at one end and a
point at the other used in concrete work to work well. Place these bars
about an inch or so apart across those walls. Place the drum on top of the
stakes and fill it with your leaves, grass clippings, etc. If any falls out
onto the ground, simply scoop it up and dump it again into the drum on top
of what is there. Then thoroughly water the contents of the drum until
water falls out the bottom. Water thoroughly once a week or more often as
needed. While you can turn the contents (I use one of those stakes), you
can also just leave the contents alone. Over time as the compost forms, it
will drop down onto the ground below the drum. The nice feature of this low
labor approach is that a whole lot of air is available for decomposition as
the bottom of the container is open. The one caveat is to move the fallen
compost away quickly - particularly if you have a tree anywhere close by.
The nearby plants just love the stuff and if you dally you'll find a whole
lot of roots amongst that compost.


"Paul E. Lehmann" wrote in message
...
I am interested in starting composting.
I would appreciate some advice on what type of bin to purchase and where
to
get them.
There are only two of us in the house so we do not have a lot of kitchen
scraps but do have a LOT of oak leaves in the fall and grass cuttings in
the
warmer months. I have a backyard vineyard which covers about 0.1 acre for
which I need to build up the organics and nutrients in the soil.

"Paul E. Lehmann" wrote in message
...
I am interested in starting composting.
I would appreciate some advice on what type of bin to purchase
and where to
get them.
There are only two of us in the house so we do not have a lot
of kitchen
scraps but do have a LOT of oak leaves in the fall and grass
cuttings in the
warmer months. I have a backyard vineyard which covers about
0.1 acre for
which I need to build up the organics and nutrients in the
soil.

Stand 4 free pallets on their edges in a square, and nail a short
board between the adjoining edges at the top corners, or tie the
corners together with rope. Put the "densest" board pattern on
the inside of the bin. Just remove the connections from one
pallet to empty. For me, 2 or 3 bins work best. Fill one, let it
set while you fill the second. Use the first by shoveling off the
top uncomposted material to the second. When it's empty, then
start filling the first while you use the second, etc.

Bob


Bob

For fairly high maintenance urban composting, I've found nothing close to
the Biostack sold by Smith & Hawkens. I like it because it comes in
sections, so it's easy to adjust the height and also to turn. However, for
someone starting out, I think it's better to go with one of those cheap
round bins made of recycled plastics. Many local governments subsidize the
price of them so they're less than $10. But the full price should be less
than $20. I also recommend grinding your leaves and saving some in bags
until Spring and Summer when you have grass to add to it.
I don't have a problem with kitchen scraps, but if not cut into small pieces
and if you don't keep your compost pile hot, you may get rats. (for
vegetable materials, kitchen scraps probably cause the most complaints.
They require more than just throwing into a pile and leaving them.)


--
Compostman
Washington, DC
USDA Zone 7
"Paul E. Lehmann" wrote in message
...
I am interested in starting composting.
I would appreciate some advice on what type of bin to purchase and where
to
get them.
There are only two of us in the house so we do not have a lot of kitchen
scraps but do have a LOT of oak leaves in the fall and grass cuttings in
the
warmer months. I have a backyard vineyard which covers about 0.1 acre for
which I need to build up the organics and nutrients in the soil.

"Compostman" wrote in message
...
For fairly high maintenance urban composting, I've found nothing close to
the Biostack sold by Smith & Hawkens. I like it because it comes in
sections, so it's easy to adjust the height and also to turn. However,
for
someone starting out, I think it's better to go with one of those cheap
round bins made of recycled plastics. Many local governments subsidize
the
price of them so they're less than $10. But the full price should be less
than $20. I also recommend grinding your leaves and saving some in bags
until Spring and Summer when you have grass to add to it.

I have found that adding rabbit food pellets soaked in water (alfalfa,
5lbs./ $2.50USD) will heat up my entire Fall compost bin (5' x 8' wire mesh
fence) to visibly steaming levels and produce finished compost in two
months.


I don't have a problem with kitchen scraps, but if not cut into small
pieces
and if you don't keep your compost pile hot, you may get rats. (for
vegetable materials, kitchen scraps probably cause the most complaints.
They require more than just throwing into a pile and leaving them.)


--
Compostman
Washington, DC
USDA Zone 7
"Paul E. Lehmann" wrote in message
...
I am interested in starting composting.
I would appreciate some advice on what type of bin to purchase and where
to
get them.
There are only two of us in the house so we do not have a lot of kitchen
scraps but do have a LOT of oak leaves in the fall and grass cuttings in
the
warmer months. I have a backyard vineyard which covers about 0.1 acre
for
which I need to build up the organics and nutrients in the soil.

On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 11:51:15 GMT, "Compostman"
wrote:

For fairly high maintenance urban composting, I've found nothing close to
the Biostack sold by Smith & Hawkens.
I checked it out and it looks as if it could be my next bin. How
long have you had it outdoors and is it exposed to any amount of sun?

Thanks,
tj

If you don't have a dog, find a back corner, preferably hidden by
shrubs. Dig a pit about 2-3' deep. Dump your kitchen and yard waste
in there. Cover with a little of the soil that was dug out of it.
Keep the layer going until the content rises 2' above the surrounding
soil then dig a new pit. Let the old pile sit for 6months and you've
got great compost.

I bought an earth machine a couple of years ago. Found it
impractical. High winter winds knocked the top half off a couple of
times. The vents are not enough to prevent grass clippings from
becoming anaerobic. Rats chewed through the plastic base and make the
whole thing a winter home.

On 11/5/03 2:25 PM, in article
, "Pen"
wrote:

If you don't have a dog, find a back corner, preferably hidden by
shrubs. Dig a pit about 2-3' deep. Dump your kitchen and yard waste
in there. Cover with a little of the soil that was dug out of it.
Keep the layer going until the content rises 2' above the surrounding
soil then dig a new pit. Let the old pile sit for 6months and you've
got great compost.

I bought an earth machine a couple of years ago. Found it
impractical. High winter winds knocked the top half off a couple of
times. The vents are not enough to prevent grass clippings from
becoming anaerobic. Rats chewed through the plastic base and make the
whole thing a winter home.

Interesting - no animal troubles here in NH with the earth machine. I tend
to put the grass clippings in a different pile, more exposed to the
elements.
Just don't get a Compost Tumbler - worthless hunk of money!
Cheryl

On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 20:33:07 GMT, Cheryl Isaak
wrote:

Just don't get a Compost Tumbler - worthless hunk of money!
Cheryl


Isn't that the truth! I still use mine to make a mix of several
different composts to create a product for making aerobic compost tea.
I some times add some fungal foods to get the mycelium actively
growing. In other words it's a high priced mixer that could be
replaced with a $20USD recycled plastic barrel.

On 11/5/03 6:17 PM, in article ,
"Tom Jaszewski" wrote:

On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 20:33:07 GMT, Cheryl Isaak
wrote:

Just don't get a Compost Tumbler - worthless hunk of money!
Cheryl


Isn't that the truth! I still use mine to make a mix of several
different composts to create a product for making aerobic compost tea.
I some times add some fungal foods to get the mycelium actively
growing. In other words it's a high priced mixer that could be
replaced with a $20USD recycled plastic barrel.

I use it to "store" composting materials - add a load of grass clippings or
two and get a mix half rotted down - I'll spread that to finish the job on
the garden. When it rusts out, out it goes.

I wonder if it my climate - I am in the north, but I have friends in the
south that get decent results if the entire load is chopped fine.

Cheryl

Isn't that the truth! I still use mine to make a mix of several
different composts to create a product for making aerobic compost tea.
I some times add some fungal foods to get the mycelium actively
growing. In other words it's a high priced mixer that could be
replaced with a $20USD recycled plastic barrel.

You can also get high-quality plastic barrels for free, if you know
where to look. Specifically, ask around at dialysis centers. They buy
dialysate in medical-grade plastic barrels of roughly 50 gallon capacity.
It costs more to clean them to medical specs than to make a new one, so
many dialyssis centers are willing to give them away for free, to avoid
having to throw them in the garbage.

They'll smell of vinegar (I believe that acetic acid, aka vinegar, is
one of the primary ingredients in dialysate), but the dialysate doesn't
have anything toxic. Rinse them out, let the vinegar smell air out, and
you're good to go.

steve

The 2 of us use 5 - 7 gallon black plastic pots (free from landscapers) when
1 is full fill another, works for us,,, all vegetation goes in, NO meat! ,,
good luck! Ed zone 8,, :-)

"Paul E. Lehmann" wrote in message
...
I am interested in starting composting.
I would appreciate some advice on what type of bin to purchase and where
to
get them.
There are only two of us in the house so we do not have a lot of kitchen
scraps but do have a LOT of oak leaves in the fall and grass cuttings in
the
warmer months. I have a backyard vineyard which covers about 0.1 acre for
which I need to build up the organics and nutrients in the soil.

On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 08:40:43 -0800, Tom Jaszewski
opined:


I checked it out and it looks as if it could be my next bin. How
long have you had it outdoors and is it exposed to any amount of sun?

Thanks,
tj

Tom, this is awfully expensive and cost 40 dollars for shipping. The 20 dollar
price is PER level. It is not going to hold up well in sun. They did some
experimentation with plastic compost bins and none of them held up for more
than 4 years without degrading in the sun. Not in the kind of heat we
experience.

Victoria

On Thu, 06 Nov 2003 13:52:07 GMT, animaux
wrote:

On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 08:40:43 -0800, Tom Jaszewski
opined:


I checked it out and it looks as if it could be my next bin. How
long have you had it outdoors and is it exposed to any amount of sun?

Thanks,
tj

Tom, this is awfully expensive and cost 40 dollars for shipping. The 20 dollar
price is PER level. It is not going to hold up well in sun. They did some
experimentation with plastic compost bins and none of them held up for more
than 4 years without degrading in the sun. Not in the kind of heat we
experience.

Victoria
Thanks Vic, I was really exploring the concept. John Imrick (sp?)
had some great recycled planters than do hold up well. I'll continue
to look for a similar design but more stable in the sun.