05-25-2009, 04:10 PM | #1 |
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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?
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05-25-2009, 04:42 PM | #2 |
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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). |
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05-25-2009, 04:48 PM | #3 | |
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05-25-2009, 04:48 PM | #4 |
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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, 05:14 PM | #5 |
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05-25-2009, 05:29 PM | #6 | |
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05-25-2009, 07:36 PM | #7 |
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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.
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05-25-2009, 08:01 PM | #8 | |
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05-25-2009, 08:07 PM | #9 |
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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!
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05-25-2009, 08:17 PM | #10 |
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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.
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05-25-2009, 08:37 PM | #11 |
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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 |
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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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05-25-2009, 08:46 PM | #13 | |
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05-25-2009, 08:51 PM | #14 |
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05-25-2009, 08:58 PM | #15 |
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