We do a lot of composting. Even more now that we're using BA, because I'm cooking more and using more veggies.
Many years ago, Rob built a set of compost bins --three bins, made of of wood (no bottoms). The idea is that you fill one bin and then "turn" it by transferring it to the second bin. Once it hits the third bin, it's ready to use. Unfortunately, we have so many mature trees on our property that tree roots grow up into the finished compost, making it impossible to actually use. Since we make the effort to trot the compost pail out even in the dead of winter, I'd really like to be able to use the stuff eventually. So, we invested --and it is an investment. These things don't come cheap!
After we unpacked it, we thought about moving it out to the garage until we have time to figure out how to put it together. But then we looked at each other, sighed, and agreed that leaving it in the middle of the living room would make sure we'd get it set up more quickly :-)
Good luck. We've tried those rotating barrels but for some reason we were incapable of remembering to rotate the barrel. The result was a bunch of anaerobic sludge. However, it was entirely our fault.
ReplyDeleteHa! Well, this will help me remember to rotate it :-)
DeleteBravo to you for composting. I've thought about doing that, but we've never gone and actually done it. Do you have difficulties with Rodents of Unusual Size (or rodents of any size) getting in the compost and then in other things where you don't want them?
ReplyDeleteI guess if you put a motor on it so it would rotate automatically, it would not be environmentally sound any more. Or it would be a cement truck.
I don't want a cement truck!! :-)
DeleteWe've never had problems with rodents in the compost. We have seen an opossum there, but I'm happy for him to help himself, since apparently the "hoover up ticks", and we can use some help with them. I empty our compost pail almost every other day, and it's been a bummer not to be able to use all that stuff.
We have a bin that tips over (in more ways than one) but we don't seem to get great compost out of it... or so I'm told. With other family members around to take care of it, I rarely am the one to take the compost pail out to empty into the big bin and (embarrassed confession) am a terrible gardener. I do love having a garden.
ReplyDelete