Best Compost Bin?
Forum Archives
SJCanada
Location: British Columbia, Southwestern
Posted: May-23-2005 at 9:37pm Hi;
Haven't posted in a long while.
I am finally ready to give composting a try.
I read that even a plastic or rubber garbage can, with plenty of holes drilled into it, is good to use as a compost bin.
That way you can roll it around to mix up the ingredients.
Has anyone tried this?; or do you recommend 2 or 3 bin set-ups for better compost making?
Any advice will be gratefully received!
Thank you.
sparklemama
Location: Western Washington
Posted: May-24-2005 at 8:42am
i guess it depends on the amount of space that you have. It would be wonderful to have a 3 bin system, but not nessecary. At the Farmers Market this weekend our County Extension was out with different ways of composting. They had a bin made of chicken wire formed into a circle (mostly for yard waste). They also had a garbage can with mulitple holes drilled threw, which had a pole threw the top portion of the can below the lid. The can was placed on a frame, that reminded me of a rotisserie, to turn and airate the compost. Alot easier then rolling it around..lol. She made it at home using a palit for the base and then attaching two 2x4's to the side and there ya go. There are so many different things you can use for composting. I used to dig a hole and put all my stuff in there. But last year I got a nice plastic square one, that has a sliding front to make getting to the dirt easier then coming in from the top. One day i would like a bin system, once we get that dream acerage.
Good luck with your composting. It took me a while to get into the rythm of it once i started but now i look at everything and go hmmm is that compostable..lol.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-25-2005 at 10:36am
If you haven't found and read the article, Topic of the Week - Hot Composting yet, you should. Our members shared lots of great composting tips. I'm pretty sure they shared their favorite composting bins, too.
Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: May-25-2005 at 8:51pm
I bought one from our county for $10 (needless to say, that program is no more, and they are now selling this type for $60). It looks like a Dalek (if you're a Dr. Who fan). But I like it. It holds quite a bit of yard waste, can compost kitchen waste, and does a pretty good job.
We also have the 3 bin system, made of wooden pallets. DH made three 3-sided bins side-by-side. I don't like them, because it is impossible to keep weeds out of them. Grass from the yard encroaches on the bottom and starts climbing up the pile, and weed seeds fall down on top. When I realized I had to keep weeding the compost bins in order to harvest any compost, I bought the Dalek unit. And I'm going to add another one, even at the higher cost. No weeds!
Barb
SJCanada
Location: British Columbia, Southwestern
Posted: May-28-2005 at 9:42pm
Thank you; I read all the links, now I just have to get started!!!
Waiting for rain!!!
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton