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Garden Gate:  How to start a small compost pile?  |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 26 2007 : 08:34:21 AM
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We are moving into military housing in 2 weeks so I can't have anything garish or obvious but would like to start a small compost. We eat a lot og vegetables and fruit and was thinking how wasteful I was being throwing out the skins and stuff. I am new to this, but I do think I could build something (or make DH build something) 
Another silly question? Can compost travel? I mean, if I start now and we are moving to Texas in 2 years, can I safely move it as long as it has some air circulating around it? Silly question but I would hate to leave it behind.
Thanks.
"And so my farmgirl life begins..." |
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Aunt Karen
Farmgirl in Training
33 Posts
West Central Idaho
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2007 : 08:47:27 AM
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Have you thought about starting a worm bin? They will eat your trash, make compost and you will be able to move them when you're transferred. The bins can be as small as a drawer from an old dresser or as elaborate as you like. I have read about people keeping small worm farms in their offices and feeding them with their lunch scraps.
Hope this helps. :) |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2007 : 08:53:04 AM
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| OH WORMS!! That sounds fun (can you tell little things get me excited??) Worms in the office? Sorry, after working in offices for over 16 years, I can just hear myself saying "Got to go feed the worms now" HAHAHAHAHA!! That would be priceless. |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2007 : 09:01:48 AM
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"time to make the donuts" lol, thats what that reminded me of...HA!
We just learned a little bit about worm bin composting and are going to be settng one up just as soon as Hedwig is no longer in the kitchen. There is a woman named Ellen Sandbeck who does worm bin composting. Her books are all about organic housekeeping, worm bin composting and organic gardening. We got to hear her speak at the back to b.a.s.i.c.s. fair last weekend. She is a hoot and a half and VERY knowledgeable. They had a plastic tote with worms in it, right htere at the fair! Rob won some worm pee to use on our house plants-its the liquid you extract from the bottom of the bin periodically. it is just ALIVE stuff I guess. I havent used it yet on the plants because they had just gotten a good watering, but next go round I'll be mixing it. She mentioned she throws everything in there. Her underwear gor from underwear to cut up for rags to food for her worms. Everything gets fed to them but for fats. it's ust an awesome process. I encourage you to google her. I think Simon and Schuster is the publisher. She is just an awesome woman! I threw out my kitchen sponge because of her!
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com
http://tasharose365.wordpress.com/
Homepage: http://mysticwoodsfarm.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2007 : 09:11:18 AM
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Oh gosh!! This thread has me rolling!! Worm Pee!! I have a 10 month old son and just caught myself thinking "Well I could put small diapers on them" HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I am sorry, I have been under a lot of stress lately so this was a well needed laugh. Thanks for the input.
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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Aunt Karen
Farmgirl in Training
33 Posts
West Central Idaho
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2007 : 09:22:31 AM
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We just got the book "Worms Eat My Garbage" by Mary Appelhof a few weeks ago. There is a neat plan for a bench box that will grow your worms in it (among other ideas).
I'll have to check Amazon for Ellen Sandbeck's books.
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2007 : 11:05:58 AM
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If you don't want to go the worm route, my friend has a very discreet composting bin in her yard. She uses one of those plastic storage bins with a snap-on lid. She drilled holes in the bottom and a few in the sides for ventilation. She has the bin submerged in the ground a few inches, so it is firmly planted and won't blow away or tip over, and worms can come in and out. The whole thing is very small and it isn't obvious what it is. If you eat so many veggies that one bin is not big enough, you can put a second one right next to it. If your housing allows you to do any outdoor storage (like a sandbox or kiddie pool) this would certainly not be out of line.
I would not try to take compost along on a move. It's so easy to get started that there wouldn't be any value to it. I'd just dig whatever you have onhand into the soil when you leave that home. If it's not completely "done", it will still be providing nutrients for the soil. |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 9:47:23 PM
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| Can you start a compost pile in the winter? Or does it have to be hot and sunny? |
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Nance in France
True Blue Farmgirl
1438 Posts
Nancy
St. Laurent de la Salanque
France
1438 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 09:06:44 AM
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| You can start one anytime of year, but obviously with the reduced heat/solar rays of winter it will take longer to really start cooking! I just started one here like Amie has described except I have not partially buried mine, and have it in a spot that gets sun throughout the day. A black or dark colored plastic container is going to attract and retain more heat than say a clear one.... Mine is royal blue, and already we realize that we have to go and buy another one; this time larger and hopefully black! Hubby drilled the holes for air and drainage. The quickest way is to start with a mix of fresh green, brown (dried) matter, and some soil, since the soil already has the beneficial microorganisms. Mix lightly and dampen it and replace the lid. I try to rotate the plastic trashcan every few days. Good luck and you will be surprised at the progress you make!! Remember, compost happens! Nance |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 10:14:14 AM
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| Thanks Nance, I'll go this week and get a black plastic container. I went on a website last night about worm composting and I want to start that in my basement also. My first livestock. |
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Nance in France
True Blue Farmgirl
1438 Posts
Nancy
St. Laurent de la Salanque
France
1438 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 04:37:39 AM
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| Jan, you go, girl! Remember the series Rawhide with a really young Clint Eastwood? I can just hear you singing the theme song "rolling, rolling, keep those (wormies) rolling, Rawhide!" Nance |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 2:19:41 PM
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| Oh Nancy!!! I laughed right out loud at that one...I'll have to get an awfully small lasso! |
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Nance in France
True Blue Farmgirl
1438 Posts
Nancy
St. Laurent de la Salanque
France
1438 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2007 : 11:20:26 AM
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| Just be careful when you crack that baby across their backs, or heck here is another thought? What in tarnation are you gonna RIDE when you herd them?! LOL, Nance |
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oceanfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
231 Posts
Rachel
A Little Closer to Heaven
Oregon Coast
USA
231 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 09:38:29 AM
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http://www.p2pays.org/ref/09/08767.htm Here is a great link for composting from my county's web site. It's got everything you need to know about composting in terms that are really easy to follow. I'm starting a thread for worm farming because I didn't want to clutter up this thread with things about worms. I have some stuff to share! Please look for my thread!
Rachel
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
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oceanfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
231 Posts
Rachel
A Little Closer to Heaven
Oregon Coast
USA
231 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 4:43:08 PM
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One thing to be careful of is the space. I've read that anything less that 3X3 feet is too small for proper composting.
Cat's Charm:
I just thought of something you might look for once you've moved. Here in my county, the dump has compost from yard waste and horse manure that you can get for free. It's still a bit "hot", but it's been GREAT to my plants. All I had to invest was the labor to get it unloaded. They even have a frontloader to load your truck for you! I also went back and collected a few trash cans full later.
rachel
Rachel
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com |
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oceanfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
231 Posts
Rachel
A Little Closer to Heaven
Oregon Coast
USA
231 Posts |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2007 : 08:57:42 AM
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| Oceanfarmgirl- Thanks for the advice. We moved to a Marine base and they have horses. I am going to go ask for a bucket of horse poo. Thanks for the ideas. |
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oceanfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
231 Posts
Rachel
A Little Closer to Heaven
Oregon Coast
USA
231 Posts |
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Garden Gate: How to start a small compost pile? |
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How to start a small compost pile?
