Does anyone compost?

lilac_jive · 05-25-2009, 04:10 PM

I was at Crate and Barrel today (sigh, I love that place) picking out furniture, and found a 1 gallon composter for $40. Thinking about getting it, but I don't know much about composting. Anyone have any thoughts?

ShortNCuddlyAm · 05-25-2009, 04:42 PM

If you've got a garden in your new place, then definitely!

It's recommended to layer what you put in the compost, so things like green clippings, fruit and veg peelings/waste etc as one layer, then things like dead leaves, hay, straw etc for the next - this allows air in. I've also read that you can use paper in that layer. The other method of getting air into the compost heap is to turn it (the microbes that do the breaking down of stuff need air to work)

It's usually not recommended you add meat or bones to the heap - partly because they can be very slow in breaking down, but mostly because they can attract possibly unwanted visitors in the form of rats etc. It's also usually suggested you avoid putting diseased plant material in the heap, as the heat may not be enough to completely kill off all of the disease. Likewise some weeds (bindweed, f'r example).

lilac_jive · 05-25-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

If you've got a garden in your new place, then definitely!

It's recommended to layer what you put in the compost, so things like green clippings, fruit and veg peelings/waste etc as one layer, then things like dead leaves, hay, straw etc for the next - this allows air in. I've also read that you can use paper in that layer. The other method of getting air into the compost heap is to turn it (the microbes that do the breaking down of stuff need air to work)

It's usually not recommended you add meat or bones to the heap - partly because they can be very slow in breaking down, but mostly because they can attract possibly unwanted visitors in the form of rats etc. It's also usually suggested you avoid putting diseased plant material in the heap, as the heat may not be enough to completely kill off all of the disease. Likewise some weeds (bindweed, f'r example).

Hrmm, I don't have a garden, but a shared back yard with some trees at the edge. Maybe my neighbors wouldn't appreciate it?

rgeorg · 05-25-2009, 04:48 PM

My husband is taking a biological gardening class (at the agricultural school where I teach CS). He's made a compost heap without any type of container, just some side support to contain it. We collect pre-sauced salad fixins (without oil and vinegar), tea bags are good, cut vegs of all types, etc. What's nice is that it doesn't smell at all and then he will use it for fertilizer if I understand correctly. Between re-cycling and the compost - we have cut our garbage to a fraction of what it used to be.

Post any questions you might have and I'll ask him.

Also - we live in a townhouse with adjacent units, separated by a low fence and shrubs - no problem at all.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 05-25-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

Hrmm, I don't have a garden, but a shared back yard with some trees at the edge. Maybe my neighbors wouldn't appreciate it?

It shouldn't smell (unless you don't get any air in it), and it can be used in plant pots as well as on plants in the ground.

desertgrandma · 05-25-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

Hrmm, I don't have a garden, but a shared back yard with some trees at the edge. Maybe my neighbors wouldn't appreciate it?

Your neighbors will never know if you do it properly. There are several great books out there on the subject. Read read and read some more. (local library?) You'll be able to glean the basics and then learn as you go. Its not an "instant" process, takes time for good mulch. Also, look into your local "master gardeners" program in the town you live. Lots of great advice from them, and its free.

enjoy!

RWood · 05-25-2009, 07:36 PM

A gallon composter is very far on the small side of things. Almost something to put on an end table or in a corner of the bar. It may look good and show that you have good taste and care about the environment; but, if you really want to compost, save your money and go with something more natural as suggested in post #4.

lilac_jive · 05-25-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWood

A gallon composter is very far on the small side of things. Almost something to put on an end table or in a corner of the bar. It may look good and show that you have good taste and care about the environment; but, if you really want to compost, save your money and go with something more natural as suggested in post #4.

Looking into it more, it's really just a bin you keep by your sink to carry your scraps every few days to your composting bin.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 05-25-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

Looking into it more, it's really just a bin you keep by your sink to carry your scraps every few days to your composting bin.

It is useful to have something for that purpose if you start composting. The ones I've seen specifically for that purpose have a filter in them, which can be useful if you don't empty it frequently. And you can also get compostable liners for them!

lilac_jive · 05-25-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

It is useful to have something for that purpose if you start composting. The ones I've seen specifically for that purpose have a filter in them, which can be useful if you don't empty it frequently. And you can also get compostable liners for them!

Yeah it had a filter. Hrrm, I need to think about this. I think I'll have to settle in first and see how I can handle it. I'm really going to focus on reducing the amount of stuff I put in the trash.

yvanleterrible · 05-25-2009, 08:37 PM

There are pictures here of my garden, in the corner near the hedge you can see 2 composting bins. We make most of what we use.

If you are alone, without a use for compost and are just thinking to be green, composting is not for you. But... there could be places for you to bring material to and have it processed. The city here has infrastructures where you can bring material.
Look for those.

And... if you are courageous, there is worm composting. When the compost is ready, you just sprinkle it through the lawn.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 05-25-2009, 08:42 PM

You can get indoor, electric-powered composters, too: http://naturemill.com/index.html (no idea if they're any good, as we don't have one...)

ShortNCuddlyAm · 05-25-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

There are pictures here of my garden, in the corner near the hedge you can see 2 composting bins. We make most of what we use.

If you are alone, without a use for compost and are just thinking to be green, composting is not for you. But... there could be places for you to bring material to and have it processed. The city here has infrastructures where you can bring material.
Look for those.

And... if you are courageous, there is worm composting. When the compost is ready, you just sprinkle it through the lawn.

Hrm... think I'll be pinching some ideas from the post you linked to! We need to give our front and back gardens a thorough go over, and the topsoil bag idea will work wonders in some areas

yvanleterrible · 05-25-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

Hrm... think I'll be pinching some ideas from the post you linked to! We need to give our front and back gardens a thorough go over, and the topsoil bag idea will work wonders in some areas

Top soil bags are quite a clever arrangement...

ShortNCuddlyAm · 05-25-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Top soil bags are quite a clever arrangement...

It seems such an obivous idea now I've read about it - one step further than grow-bags, really. But it just never occurred to me!

05-25-2009, 04:10 PM	#1
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Does anyone compost? I was at Crate and Barrel today (sigh, I love that place) picking out furniture, and found a 1 gallon composter for $40. Thinking about getting it, but I don't know much about composting. Anyone have any thoughts?

05-25-2009, 04:42 PM	#2
ShortNCuddlyAm WWHALD Posts: 7,879 Karma: 337114 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mitcham, Surrey, UK Device: iPad. Selling my silver 505 here	If you've got a garden in your new place, then definitely! It's recommended to layer what you put in the compost, so things like green clippings, fruit and veg peelings/waste etc as one layer, then things like dead leaves, hay, straw etc for the next - this allows air in. I've also read that you can use paper in that layer. The other method of getting air into the compost heap is to turn it (the microbes that do the breaking down of stuff need air to work) It's usually not recommended you add meat or bones to the heap - partly because they can be very slow in breaking down, but mostly because they can attract possibly unwanted visitors in the form of rats etc. It's also usually suggested you avoid putting diseased plant material in the heap, as the heat may not be enough to completely kill off all of the disease. Likewise some weeds (bindweed, f'r example).

05-25-2009, 04:48 PM	#4
rgeorg Guru Posts: 675 Karma: 3314796 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Europe & USA Device: K3/3G(2x), Glo HD, Amazon Voyage	My husband is taking a biological gardening class (at the agricultural school where I teach CS). He's made a compost heap without any type of container, just some side support to contain it. We collect pre-sauced salad fixins (without oil and vinegar), tea bags are good, cut vegs of all types, etc. What's nice is that it doesn't smell at all and then he will use it for fertilizer if I understand correctly. Between re-cycling and the compost - we have cut our garbage to a fraction of what it used to be. Post any questions you might have and I'll ask him. Also - we live in a townhouse with adjacent units, separated by a low fence and shrubs - no problem at all.

05-25-2009, 07:36 PM	#7
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	A gallon composter is very far on the small side of things. Almost something to put on an end table or in a corner of the bar. It may look good and show that you have good taste and care about the environment; but, if you really want to compost, save your money and go with something more natural as suggested in post #4.

05-25-2009, 08:37 PM	#11
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	There are pictures here of my garden, in the corner near the hedge you can see 2 composting bins. We make most of what we use. If you are alone, without a use for compost and are just thinking to be green, composting is not for you. But... there could be places for you to bring material to and have it processed. The city here has infrastructures where you can bring material. Look for those. And... if you are courageous, there is worm composting. When the compost is ready, you just sprinkle it through the lawn.

05-25-2009, 08:42 PM	#12
ShortNCuddlyAm WWHALD Posts: 7,879 Karma: 337114 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mitcham, Surrey, UK Device: iPad. Selling my silver 505 here	You can get indoor, electric-powered composters, too: http://naturemill.com/index.html (no idea if they're any good, as we don't have one...)

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