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Garden Gate:  Back-Porch Composter  |
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CherryMeDarlin
True Blue Farmgirl
602 Posts
Cherry
Odenville
AL
USA
602 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 09:35:35 AM
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Does anyone have a small compost bin that they kept nearby for kitchen scraps and such? I read somewhere that you can make one from a Rubbermaid container, but I don't know how to get started. Where do you drill the holes? What should be your first layer? Should I dig up some earth worms and add? Can it sit on a covered porch, or should it be in the sun? Anyone been successful with this? I'd love any suggestions, instructions or tips!
~~Cherry~~
http://cherrymedarlin.blogspot.com
"A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 11:19:43 AM
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I keep mine in the dining room. Rubbermaid tote with holes drilled in the bottom. I kept an oversized lid so I could place it on the bottom to catch any "tea" that might flow out of it. To begin with I added a cup of sand, some crushed eggshells, coffee grounds and tons of shredded newspaper. Red wigglers are the best for composting. Don't keep your bin in the sun it will either dry out or start to grow mold. When you add your food scraps make sure they are fully covered by your newspaper or whatever you have going on inside your tote.
Worms eat my garbage is a great book to read for bin composting. I checked everywhere for my red wigglers - our local bait shop was among them. The cheapest was online.
Good luck! I just sorted my worms and started using the compost for the garden and made some tea.
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 12:24:06 PM
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Cherry, I let my chickens do my compost. One more reason for the hubs to let you get chickens! I throw all my scraps in the one stall that has a bottom all the way around and let them go at it. What they don't eat gets all scratched up and turned into some good soil or mulch. I don't have to do a thing except throw it in every few days and they do the rest for me. Plus it already has old hay in there, too. Good stuff.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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CherryMeDarlin
True Blue Farmgirl
602 Posts
Cherry
Odenville
AL
USA
602 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 3:53:14 PM
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Oh, I know, Kris! Why can't he see the sheer BENEFIT of having chickens?! Stubborn boy!
How large is your tote, Deb?
~~Cherry~~
http://cherrymedarlin.blogspot.com
"A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
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traildancer
True Blue Farmgirl
485 Posts
Loyce
Glide
OR
USA
485 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2010 : 10:48:59 AM
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I found this post doig a search for "compost" and am wondering if using an old tree planter would work as my composting bin. You know, the big black plastic containers that you buy shrubs in? They usually have openings in the bottom. Since being on the forum I have been somewhat convicted about all the organic matter I throw away. The meat stuff all goes to the dogs and even some vegatables. I don't have a garden, but we do have some fruit trees and flowers so a small composter sounds doable.
The trail is the thing.... Louis L'Amour |
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KanMogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Katherine
Rock
Kansas
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2010 : 4:22:09 PM
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I have tried homemade composters but had limited luck with them. I finally bought a small one at Tractors Supply. I was going to put it on my backporch but my porch is covered. They need direct sun unless you live in a desert. It is easier to spin and stir than the homemade ones I had. I didn't realize you could put in raw meat scraps until I was reading the instructions for my new one. I doubt I will put much of that in it because we have a dog.
I would rather wear out than rust out.----Richard Cumberland |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 04:21:53 AM
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You don't want any sun if you're doing vermicomposting. You'll cook your worms. It needs to be kept cool and in the dark. 
I've heard mixed things about composters though - direct sun - no sun. I need to read up on it. My Mom is giving me her compost tumbler. Sure hope she has the directions.
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Farm Girl #790
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place
https://twitter.com/EllieFunt
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JudyT
True Blue Farmgirl
196 Posts
Judy
Southwest
Wisconsin
USA
196 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 04:41:26 AM
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I have tried homemade composts for my kitchen scraps, but they don't work very well. At least I've not had any luck with them not stinking up my kitchen. So I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and found one that looks like a garbage can and it sits right on my counter and I LOVE IT! After I dump the scraps in my compost bin it's easy to wash and it's ready for more scraps.
Judy~Farmgirl Sister #599
I was born a city girl, but I'm a "farmgirl" at heart, sharing my life at...http://dailyyarnsnmore.com
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Garden Gate: Back-Porch Composter |
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Back-Porch Composter
