Posted: 3/1/2013 11:22:35 AM EDT
| Has anyone tried using a compost bin from a box store before? I want to start composting, but dont know if I would be better off buying one or try to make my own. |
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I have.
I have 2 commercial right now. One small black plastic Earth Machine, and one large ComposTumbler tumbler. Of the two, the tumbler is hands down the best I have used. I have also used 3 bin home builts using spare pallets. It worked fine but was a lot more work than the tumbler. The advertisements for tumblers say you can get "compost" in 14 days. However in my climate, 45 days is more like it. I load the tumbler, let it compost to about half volume or less then transfer to the smaller Earth Machine to finish. When it finishes, I either use it or store it in old garbage cans til I need it. What ever you decide on, if you want compost fast, make big piles, turn often and manage the moisture. It's an easy way to get rid of yard waste and kitchen scraps like peels. Just don't use fats, meats, dairy ect.. Also NEVER use grass clippings that have been sprayed with a herbicide or pesticide. |
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Has anyone tried using a compost bin from a box store before? I want to start composting, but dont know if I would be better off buying one or try to make my own. You don't need a bin. All you need is a pile and a tarp over it. But the bins do look nicer. |
| Totally agree that you don't have to use the fancy tumble type. I use the old school method back in the corner of my backyard. What I will say though is the tumble kind are much easier to use. FOr the small garden, I think they are the way to go. FOr larger gardens, would be too costly. |
| Find 4 pallets in decent shape. Stand them on edge and wire them together at the corners. When you need to turn the pile just disassemble and move it over a few feet and then reassemble. Fork the pile back in and your done. I have tried various store bought composters. Some work some don't. The one trait almost all of them have in common (besides being overpriced) is that they aren't big enough to allow you to make a decent amount of compost. |
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Will composting work over the winter? That depends on the size of the pile and how cold it gets where you live. My 4x4x4 pile here in Ohio stays warm in the center all winter long but the amount of decomposition taking place is low. Seeing that you live in Alaska I would imagine your pile would have to be huge to keep things going over the winter. |
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Find 4 pallets in decent shape. Stand them on edge and wire them together at the corners. When you need to turn the pile just disassemble and move it over a few feet and then reassemble. Fork the pile back in and your done. I have tried various store bought composters. Some work some don't. The one trait almost all of them have in common (besides being overpriced) is that they aren't big enough to allow you to make a decent amount of compost. I use the pallet method too. It works great. |
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Will composting work over the winter? That depends on the size of the pile and how cold it gets where you live. My 4x4x4 pile here in Ohio stays warm in the center all winter long but the amount of decomposition taking place is low. Seeing that you live in Alaska I would imagine your pile would have to be huge to keep things going over the winter. Yeah, -50F is common Would the smell be bad if I kept it in my garage over the winter? |
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Will composting work over the winter? That depends on the size of the pile and how cold it gets where you live. My 4x4x4 pile here in Ohio stays warm in the center all winter long but the amount of decomposition taking place is low. Seeing that you live in Alaska I would imagine your pile would have to be huge to keep things going over the winter. Yeah, -50F is common Would the smell be bad if I kept it in my garage over the winter? Do NOT do this. Compost happens in any climate. Just the speed changes. If you build it, it will come. 
Build what you can when you can. The first year may not give you much but be patient it''ll work fine outside. If you use the correct ratio of green and brown, little smell will occur but yes it will still have a smell. Get too much green, and you will be very glad it's outside unless you like the smell of feces and ammonia. Also a big pile can develop enough heat to combust. Primer |
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Will composting work over the winter? That depends on the size of the pile and how cold it gets where you live. My 4x4x4 pile here in Ohio stays warm in the center all winter long but the amount of decomposition taking place is low. Seeing that you live in Alaska I would imagine your pile would have to be huge to keep things going over the winter. Yeah, -50F is common Would the smell be bad if I kept it in my garage over the winter? The smell is only going to get bad if the pile goes anaerobic. A properly constructed pile should not do this. Having said that, compost piles can reach internal temps of 150-170 so it is best to keep it outdoors. |