So, I'm ready to start composting - but AACK to the bazillion different ways, DIY tumblers, trash cans, then there's the worm composting, you name it there are several different options. :-)
Being frugal, I will not be buying a $300 tumbler ... but would love to start asap! Also, while we have a good size back yard, I'm no interested in just a dumping ground with a wire frame.I need something more contained. :-)
Thanks for any and all tips. I've done tons of googling but would love some first hand info/tips!!!
S. :-D
My husband made a "container" out of cinder blocks. We have a recycled piece of metal fence as a "lid". He just turns it every once in awhile with a pitch fork, and we don't have probelms with mice, etc...Using compost for your yard work will greatly imporve the quality of your plants.
We made our own...we are frugal too. We wanted to be sure that we liked composting before investing. (BTW we LOVE it!) WE took a large trash can and drilled holes down the sides to allow air in and water out. We have an old garden claw we used to aerate it. It has worked like a charm. We haven't had any critter issues (which was my concern). The only problem that came up was we could get to the good compost on the bottom, we were dumping the composter over and shoveling to the compost and then refilling the can. It got a little messy, so our solution has been to build another bin. Instead on dumping it on the ground and then shoveling it, we shovel the refuse in to the other bin - it saved us a step. Since we only have to worry about this problem a few times a year, it hasn't deterred us. Right now we are happy with our homemade solution, but if we ever upgrade we want to get one of those that has the drawers to get to the good stuff.
My friend composts and I believe she now has a tumbler. I recall when she didn't she always had mice living in it. Even though she turned it by shovel every week.
I created a composting program at my middle school. We had the Ag dept. create a tumbler out of a plastic barrel- sideways and a xylophone stand. You need air holes and the ability to spin it- or you have to use a shovel and turn it. You have to have a good balance of Carbon:Nitrogen Ratios. See this site for advice: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/homecompost/science.html
Hi,
We have a compost in our back yard that my husband made out of wood. It comes apart in sections. We are preparing a new vegetable garden now to start in March. We plan to use the compost we started about 3 years ago.
I hope you are able to start your compost soon.
R.
