Does anyone else use their own compost for their soil? If so what kind of compost barrel do you have?
Just so happens I am building a compost pile right now. Usually use old wood pallets but this time decided to make it more permanent So I am using leftover cinder blocks...I use kitchen scraps, grass clippings, aged horse manure, etc...When the compost is ready I mix into the sandy soil of my garden. Never tried the barrel method. Just always out in the yard With access to water. Even bought a long thermometer to check internal temp so it cooks quickly. I have never met anyone who had much success using the barrel method.
I save my coffee grounds and spray upon my lawn when I have a about a pound or so.
Seems to help, I do not do it during the summer.
I bought one of those countertop composter, what a joke, leaks and stinks up the kitchen!!!
One of Ophra BS deals from the view!!!
I put it outside a worthless piece of garbage!!!
I have a large compost pile that I move from one side to the other as I add new material. I also dump all of my old pots into it to add volume to it. I add pine bark mulch to it each spring to keep my acid up and add new organic material. When i mix my pots, I add a layer of landscape pine bark mulch to the bottom of the pot, then a mix of compost, peat moss, and pine bark mulch to fill the pots. Most of my pots are 5-30 gallon, so it can take quite a volume. I top dress my mint pot (180 gallon) with compost then water it in..
I just visited Melissa the "worm woman" of Broward county (Southeast) Florida. She is a real expert - she got a grant out of college to go in to the earthworm-compost business...so if anyone is interested in getting shipments of earthworms. Compost tubes that she makes them herself out of PVC...if you don't want to buy the actual tube I'm sure she'll send you directions.
It's actually earning her a living here in Florida!
If you're interested, PM me? Thanks. (3 pics, one of Melissa "in action" digging her worm compost, the 2nd is some art work in her garden...the third is me, and her and some friends holding one of her compost/earthworm tubes)
I got one like this about 5 years ago. [envirocycle.com]
I bought a couple of Rubbermaid storage containers - the size of steamer trunks - with hinged lids. I drilled holes in the bottoms to let liquid escape. I turn the contents with a pitchfork.
I also made a rectangular unit out of "hardware cloth" (thin wire mesh). It works very well for the leaves I rake up in the fall.
Once I had a large plastic sphere with small holes in it. The idea is to fill it with stuff to compost and roll it every once in awhile. It always got too heavy too soon for me.
Now I just make two piles and turn them once in awhile.
I have in the past. At one time the city of Seattle sold 'green cones.' I bought a couple of extra ones and have 2 on my present property. Since there's just me I barely make enough to fill one.
Several years ago my lat partner got really excited about composting and I built a large worm bin. She even went to the local grocery and picked up food items that were expired and to be tossed. We filled up that bin in a hurry. Now the garden is hardly used. I also have a tall, round unit with lots of holes. This is mainly for 'green' compost as leaves and weeds. It does get used.
One thing around here are composting toilets. On Patos island which is a state park with a lighthouse there is a double and single composting toilet. They are great, roomy, no smell and lots of light. Waste gets separated (liquid-solids. Once a year the rangers remove the solid tanks and place them in a storage place for 3 years. It is then used on the island. In our local labyrinth there is also a small composting toilet with cedar chips instead of water. Again, bucket removed and stored and then spread in the woods.
I have a huge pile of stuff out back, do absolutely Nothing to it, dig out from under to get great dirt
Sounds like my manure pile.... beautiful black gold.
Yes I agree with Wangobango3 the rotating barrels may work well, but if not then you would be better with any sort of bin, the bigger the better. The more vollume you can pile up the better it works, especially if you can keep it loose and moist but not wet, turning is almost magically good and pleasant exersize for the body too.
Posted by glennlab My first flowers of this spring. Lotus and blue bells
Posted by glennlab My first flowers of this spring. Lotus and blue bells
Posted by FrostyJimSeedlings ..
Posted by FernappleIts Hellebore season now.
Posted by FernappleIts Hellebore season now.
Posted by FernappleIts Hellebore season now.
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Posted by KateOahuI saw some pretty flowers on a walk today. I’d never seen a white Hibiscus before. And I do not know what the pink flowers are.
Posted by KateOahuI saw some pretty flowers on a walk today. I’d never seen a white Hibiscus before. And I do not know what the pink flowers are.
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Posted by 1patriotOne of the main reasons for last year’s ‘spike’, which the media and government agencies have avoided mentioning, is the Hunga Tonga volcano eruption two years ago.
Posted by FrostyJim...sometimes you just can't help it?
Posted by FrostyJimI got my first seed order in the mail yesterday! WOO-HOO!