| Author |
Garden Gate:  compost question  |
|
|
lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 02 2006 : 4:28:11 PM
|
I know that most of you make your own compost bins and of course that would be a lot cheaper but for MY garden and MY lifestyle I really want and need one of those compost makers. My question is have any of you used one and have any comments on them? I'm open to any brand or shape at this point. There are a couple I have my eye on but I'd really like to hear any of your opinions.
I've been looking at www.compostumbler.com and the one at www.urgangardencenter.com. Thanks y'all!!! |
|
|
grammagoose
Farmgirl in Training
35 Posts
sandy
exeter
rhode island
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2006 : 09:59:23 AM
|
| try your local college. r.i. has a gardening program - master gardener - and last fall they sold plastic compost bins for $25.00 at a plant fair. not sure of the brand,but the price was right. with time most things compost. i use to use just 3 sides of wooden paletts with a cover and eventually that decayed. good luck |
 |
|
|
country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2006 : 09:59:39 AM
|
Hi Kristi. My husband gave me a composter for one of my birthdays. My friends thought it was a hilarious gift, but it was something I really wanted. He did all the research on it and picked it out on his own. I can't recall the brand...I'll get out there and look and let you know. Mine is one that you flip every day. I've found it a little difficult to use. It gets heavy and I have toppled it over while trying to flip...not fun. Also, getting the compost out at the end of the cycle is always a challenge. So, I must say that I would not recommend the one I have. I think that compost tumbler you are looking at would have neither of these problems because of the way it is made. I'll get back to you on the brand I have.
"All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."
Julian of Norwich |
|
|
|
lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2006 : 12:07:39 PM
|
Sandy--that's a good idea. I will have to check into that. I know we have a home and garden show coming this month but unfortunately I can't make it and I'm sure they would have lots of good info there.
Rebekah--are you saying the round drum style is the one you think would be better. I was thinking the oblong shaped one (2nd link I gave) would have a problem tipping but I'm not sure. I would appreciate you getting me the brand you have. Thanks. |
|
|
|
country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2006 : 07:58:43 AM
|
Kristi, I checked the composter and couldn't find a brand name or any other clues. Also, I couldn't check that second link...didn't go thru. But, yes, the one in the first link, the round drum style, looks like it would do a lot better than mine. Let me know what you decide.
"All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."
Julian of Norwich |
|
|
|
cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2006 : 5:49:31 PM
|
Kristi,
Before I had my big compost piles, I used a galvanized trash can on the advice of another composter. I hammered nail holes all around it for air ventilation. I just kept adding my kitchen scraps, manure, grass clippings, etc... Kept it moist and turned it on its side once a week and gave it a tumble. I left it out where it could get some sunlight and just a few months later I had wonderful black compost. I eventually went to using two cans and now that I have the land space I just have my 3 big piles that get turned and at least one is always ready for use.
The can might be an inexpensive alternative until you find exactly what you want.
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
|
|
|
lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2006 : 07:05:21 AM
|
| That's a good idea. I would have never thought of that. I'll consider that option for sure. |
|
|
|
Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2006 : 07:48:33 AM
|
I plan on using the galvanized trashcan method this spring.
I seen this online or in a magazine. They actually poked the holes in "pretty" patterns like flowers and such. They were the best looking composters I have ever seen.
You could even add a little paint!!
I also was thinking that you could get a mini galvanized pail to use as a compost collector in the kitchen and paint it to match!!
OK, OK I think I am a little too creative this Monday morning!!!
~~My Blog~~
Bridge's Bargins~Click to see |
|
|
|
Rusty pins
True Blue Farmgirl
91 Posts
Paula
Oelwein
Iowa
USA
91 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2006 : 11:54:05 AM
|
I've got a 'COMPOST TUMBLER'.....a huge one...bought it at a yard sale for $20.00!! Talk about doing the happy dance. i really love. It just needs a few turns a day...which isn't hard,and i have rumitoid arthritis, in a few weeks...good 'ol compost. I just put my cart under it and tip it out. EASY! Before that..I had a plastic box one..but had to turn it over and it was hard for me. Besides the tummbler, I compost right in my garden beds. I always leave a spot where I can dump my compost from that day..then i cover it with dirt..and so on. After a week or so, i can turn it all over and have compost to scatter around my flowers. I do this in my flowerbeds and veg gardens. i learned that tip from a 90 year old gardener MANY moons ago...and that man could grow a tomato like nobody!!LOL
Sweet Blessins',
Paula ;o)
"Life shall judge us harshly enough. Let us at least be gentle with each other."
http://www.rustypinsandoldlace.com/
'Antiques & HandMades for your heart and your home.' |
Edited by - Rusty pins on Feb 07 2006 11:58:11 AM |
|
|
|
Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2006 : 1:38:44 PM
|
I really like the galvanized can method - I think I'll try that this spring, too. We use the "big pile in the garden area" compost method - because it only gets turned every not-so-often, it's slow, but it still works...
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
|
|
|
lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2006 : 06:48:14 AM
|
| Paula, is yours the one like at this website? www.compostumbler.com That's the one I'm leaning towards if I don't do the trash can idea. We have so much planting to do this spring and summer that I really would like something that can make the compost faster. |
|
|
|
Rusty pins
True Blue Farmgirl
91 Posts
Paula
Oelwein
Iowa
USA
91 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2006 : 09:35:57 AM
|
Yup......that's the one. The old gardener that I bought it from had it for many years.....it was in super condition, just faded from the sun.... and now I've had it for 5 years....so they must last a really long time. I've had that baby FULL of stuff and it's pretty easy to turn. I even got the books with it....gives great recipes for faster compost.:o)
the only downfall i've had with it...is the metal where the gears turn....it does get rusty from the weather...so we do oil it every year. But other then that...it works great.;o)
"Life shall judge us harshly enough. Let us at least be gentle with each other."
http://www.rustypinsandoldlace.com/
'Antiques & HandMades for your heart and your home.' |
|
|
|
lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2006 : 1:56:00 PM
|
| Thanks so much Paula. At 396.00 each I want to make sure that it will last several years. My mom is going to split the cost with me since she will use it too so that will help. Thanks so much everyone for your input so far. |
|
|
|
cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2006 : 3:27:41 PM
|
I love the idea of the pretty pattern holes on the can....I wasn't so creative....just holes around in a circle. I may have to do that method again just to have pretty flowers and hearts and smiley faces.
I forgot to mention something else I did.....I'd add worms to the cans....worked great. Had compost and more worms for fishing!
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
|
|
| |
Garden Gate: compost question |
|
compost question
