Composters

Message 223 of 615

A first question already!
I have been looking to purchase a composter. I produce a LOT of kitchen scraps and my worm farm can't handle them all.

The two composters I've looked at on line are the Compostumbler view link
and the Tumbleweed view link
They vary vastly in price, but because the tumbleweed is a batch composter, I would probably need to get two.

Would love hearing from those who have composters about the pros and cons of various models, and what I should be looking for. I won't be getting it until Springtime, as it will be too cold to compost during the winter anyway.

Thanks!!

posted by Levamssg

Replies 1 - 10 of 11

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i made a compost tumbler a few years ago, when i lived in a developement, and it worked good. but eventually i just went with the box in the corner. no timing, no tumbling. just add to the top and take out of the bottom.

i made an open box, but i set a frame in the center with hardware cloth. about 2/3rds the way down. all year i added stuff to it on top. in the spring i banged the box a bit with a hammer and scooped up the soil from the bottom. (o did i say i added a door at the bottom?) no turning, no fuss. good stuff. made it out of scrap wood, and bought the hardware cloth. whole thing must have cost me $5.

if you have critters you can add a hardware cloth lid, which keeps them out, but allows the nature in.

hope it helps

posted by hippiemama
over 2 years ago

The tumbler style composters can get really heavy to turn so keep that in mind if you are going to be the one doing it. I have two different bins but my favorite is the 3 tiered stacking kind:

view link

It makes it easy to turn the whole pile. You can take the top section off and move everything over a section at a time.

posted by Kaytime
over 2 years ago

If you are tight for $$, you don't need anything fancy at all. See and search some of the past messages about compost. Just makes sure your "scraps" are buried deep in the pile, and don't use dairy, bones, or fats - just veggie matter, leaves, etc.

posted by pcalenda
over 2 years ago

I use 2-30 gallon garbage pails with air holes drilled in the sides. As the leaves, etc. get close to ready I just shovel it into the other barrel and start all over again.

posted by the3rd
over 2 years ago

I guess I'm behind everybody because I just pile my stuff in a courner in my backyard, turn it over once and awhile and thats about it...I do know though I need to improve my method.

posted by cosmicdude
over 2 years ago

I got a free compost bin from Cooperative Extension. I also set up a wire cylinder about 3 to 4 feet in diameter. I just pile stuff in there. I don't turn anything, I don't mix things in proportions. I let it happen on its own, year round.

You only need to be concerned about temperatures, ratios of green and brown components, turning frequency, and moisture levels if you are trying to produce finished compost in a hurry. I don't hurry about too many things, so Nature's speed works for me.

posted by collieflower
over 2 years ago

I've rec'd some info on the compost tumbler 2 ... it has two compartments so you have 2 batches going at once but only have to turn one drum. It has a 'gear' system so turning is easy. A bit pricey, but looks like it would work well. Anyone ever try one of these? (www.compostumbler.com)

I don't want a pile to turn, and really can't do that with small yards that are open to each other in this neighborhood. So, the compost has to be contained in a structure. I tried the kind you put stuff in the top, and shovel out the bottom, but they just don't work without turning them somehow, and that is nearly impossible ... and they take forever to produce compost.

posted by Levamssg
over 2 years ago

Here is a series of videos depicting a master gardener trial of ten different composters, including the results. I learned something from watching it. I expected the tumbling bins to do compost more quickly than the other bins, but that didn't turn out to be the case. The tumbling bins can't hold enough compost to generate the same amount of heat as the stationary bins, so the stationary bins can work faster. Even so, using the tumbling bins can give you finished compost in about 6 to 8 weeks, which is still pretty quick.

posted by collieflower
over 2 years ago

these are great videos collieflower! Thanks! Originally I was drawn to the tumbleweed ... then thought the drum would be better. I'm now rethinking that - and am leaning back toward the tumbleweed. I see by the results the simply bins worked well, but I can't really have compost "out there" it has to be contained. Thanks again ... I'll be giving this a lot more thought!

posted by Levamssg
over 2 years ago

This composter looks interesting. All one piece as opposed to the Tumbleweed 2 pieces that you have to screw together, and the frame looks to be very sturdy.

Thoughts?
view link

posted by Levamssg
over 2 years ago

Replies 1 - 10 of 11

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