How to start and maintain a compost heap?

[gaijingirl]

In keeping with New Years resolutions I think I want to see if I can start a compost heap..

I read the link provided the post before this one and it was very informative. I read -163 things you can compost, Compost Happens, and Worlds Fastest Compost.

I am live in NC and it is just cold now and will be for several months. I will do the "pile" composting, because I live in a subdivision and I don't need my neighbors seeing anything structural and get me in trouble and I don't want to spend money on the tumbler. I am worried I won't be able to get it hot enough to perk.

Literally I am starting today. I have a bin by the sink to throw kitchen waste in. Do I just dump it in the spot I want to start when it is full? Grass clippings aren't going to happen now since the grass doesn't grow now...

Husband who had read NOTHING thinks there will just be this huge TRASH Pile that he will see...I asked him what he thought we would compost???

They did get all excited when I told them that urine is a great thing for the compost pile! House with 4 boys...hhhuummm....

I live in a super strict subdivision too. One thing I thought about was making a wooden box. I thought that would be nice and tight, compact and sightly. I also initially dug a pit on our property line (there's no neighbours on that side and no one knows the difference.) You could also do some kind of bin and then hide it behind a shrub or bush. I'd recommend getting something to confine it. Otherwise, it could take years to decompose. If you only have kitchen scraps. you may want to get some other materials from others. Try to get some leaves (chopped up preferably) or even woodchips from a woodworker or landscaper. You'll need that carbon. If you don't mind a pile of garbage, then just do your thing, but I think you might get discouraged without much action. I don't think you'll see a lot of results unless you get a ratio of carbon and nitrogen together in there. And preferably the correct amount so it can get hot enough. (I guess you have to have a certain amount before it will get hot.) Good luck. Just read lots of stuff. That's what I do!

I am into composting because I love working in my yard and gardening and as a cheap person, reusing something for something beneficial is appealing!

[choka162]

Hi^_^ This is the first year I've thought about doing a compost pile and I'm just not sure how to go about it.

I've seen some big turnable bins at tractor supply, has anyone tried these? Or did you make your own? Any tips or tricks would be appreciated^_^

[ILv2Shop]

Here's the discussion from last year. (How's it working out Erin?)

Compost tumblers?

[choka162]

thanks^_^

[JANE4girls]

Here's the discussion from last year. (How's it working out Erin?)

Compost tumblers?

working great! I get a new batch every 2-4 weeks, depending on how hot it is, will get more when it warms up more.

[gaijingirl]

Hey,

I just invited myself into your previous tumbler discussion lol. I'm having good results with it recently. I posted about it on that thread.


Also, I have recently learned a lot by getting some good books about Composting from my library.

If you are interested in learning more about what will get you better results, I would really recommend the books:

Let it Rot! by Stu Campbell
The Rodale Book of Composting

And, another cool idea is to check out Sheet Composting or "Lasagna Gardening" which is the method of basically composting right in the area where you will grow the next season by layering materials that will break down. A good way to build raised beds without any digging. There is lots of information you can look up online about it or take a look at the book

Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza

HTH

Here's the discussion from last year. (How's it working out Erin?)

Compost tumblers?

[wannabefree]

Bumping this thread is very timely.....dh worked on a tumbler type for me for 4 weekends. He got the plans from Youtube (thanks to Erin). Yesterday was the unveiling......I also live in a strict subdivision and my backyard is completely visible b/c we live on a cul=de=sac. But we went to Lowes and got some nice fencing material to sort of disguise it a bit. I think it will be okay. We should have painted it before he drilled all the holes b/c it is bright blue. I bought spray paint to paint it black but forgot to make him stop and now the paint will just leak through. So I'm going to use a brush I guess.....The darker color wouldn't be as visible through the fencing and of course the main reason is that it makes it hotter for decomposing.

I'm so excited...I've been throwing compost material into a pile for a year but it hasn't been very effective. I think we're off and running now!

[Darling Pedro]

we took 4 wooden pallets we got for free and used them to make a open topped square by turning them on their sides and fastening them together. . Then we started pitching in the scraps that our chickens wont / shouldn't eat. We layer in leaves, occasionally add sugar to help the micro organisms, water and stir.

We are getting 4 more pallets and making one right next to it and then dumping what's in the current one into it so the top is on the bottom and then start tossing our scraps onto the old one again

We have our chicken poop and dirty hay getting layered into old trash cans so we can make liquid fertilizer.

total cost to compost was 0 - hubs picked up pallets on way home from work so no extra gas and we used supplies we already had to affix them together.

We are going to have a very happy garden this spring

[JANE4girls]

And, another cool idea is to check out Sheet Composting or "Lasagna Gardening" which is the method of basically composting right in the area where you will grow the next season by layering materials that will break down. A good way to build raised beds without any digging. There is lots of information you can look up online about it or take a look at the book

Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza

HTH

I show a demonstration of how to do this here.

[gaijingirl]

Hey Janet,
I'd love to see pictures of your set-up when you are done.
We have the same problem with the whole strict HOA in our subdivision. I was just offered another tumbler from someone at church, but apparently it is bigger than the one I currently have and I am going to need to disguise it. I had been thinking previously about doing some kind of fencing around it somehow. I'd love to see what you end up doing to hide yours.

Also, with your painting: putting some tape on the inside of the barrel to temporarily cover the holes. Then you can spray right over top of that area and then just remove the tape when you are done and no paint will get in. I think you will probably have an easier time spray painting and if you can cover the holes from the inside, no problem. :)