The Garden Composter Blog

Garden Composter

admin — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:01:03 +0000

I didn’t plan to become a Garden Composter. It just, sort of, happened.

Here’s how:

A little over a year ago, we purchased an acre of land in the country, then built a house on our property. We moved into our new home in December. This past summer, we spent many hours preparing our land for the lawn. This was a process that included removing rocks, pulling weeds, burying irrigation lines, and smoothing the soil.

The rocks are piled in a corner of our lot that is temporarily unused. That is the area where I will put in my shop at some later date.

The weeds we pulled went into our 6×10 flatbed trailer and were hauled to the compost area at the county landfill. Our climate is conducive to growing very large tumbleweeds, very quickly. I think we made about 4 trips with full loads of yard waste totaling about 2 1/2 tons of material.

After many, many evenings and weekends laboring in our yard, we finally planted our lawn seed. Now, we are watering it and watching for it to sprout. Oh, how we look forward to seeing green around our house.

I set aside an area about 30′ by 60′ to put in a vegetable garden. There is nothing better than fresh vegetables in the summer. The satisfaction of having grown them yourself greatly enhances the pleasure of eating all those luscious legumes.

So, next summer, we will have an abundance of lawn clippings and garden waste material. That means more trips to the landfill? Heck no! I’m going to become a Garden Composter. I’m going to recycle all that waste material and use it to make my vegetables grow even better.

I’ve begun the research and the study required to gain the knowledge necessary to recycle as much of our kitchen, lawn and garden waste material into valuable compost that I can use to enhance my garden.

A valuable guide to creating the best compost is “The World’s Best Compost – The How & Why”. This guide, not only describes how to create the best compost, but it also explains the science behind it in layman’s terms.

This book is a “must have” for anyone who is serious about being a Garden Composter.

If you’re like me, and you just want to take the lazy approach to disposing of yard waste, just throw it all in a pile and let it rot.

Technorati Tags: Compost, Garden Composter, landfill, legumes, yard waste

Your Questions About Garden Compost Bins

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:10:02 +0000

Richard asks…

what can i put in a garden compost bin?

apart from veg/fruit peelings, dead flowers & garden waste, tea bags & egg shells? any thing else? thanks all who reply -Lou

admin answers:

Basically nearly everything. All food waste with the exception of meat products (meat encourages rats) All garden waste with the exception of long rooted weeds like dandelion, bindweed, nettles, etc. I personally don’t put in soft weeds if they have gone to seed.

All garden plants and clippings and some house waste like shredded paper and cardboard and the contents of your vacuum cleaner and sawdust. If you have a bonfire the wood ash is brilliant, lots of potash that improves fruits and flowers.

Don’t forget used compost when you re pot your plants tubs and baskets and pet waste from pets like rabbits, hamsters, etc., the soiled bedding, like paper or sawdust, really make your compost heat up destroying weed seeds as does pet droppings.

The things I don’t put in is anything woody, unless shredded, weeds with long roots or seeds, plastic or cloth.

The secrets of composting are are keeping it stirred, not adding too many grass clippings unless mixed in well, and use an accelerator like garrotta or any fertiliser you use in the garden. I use a lot is chicken manure pellets from the garden centre and the best accelerator of all, horse manure, even a shovel full mixed in gives wonderful results.

So remember, keep it stirred, use an accelerator, and the worms and biological activity will do the rest.

Happy composting!

Laura asks…

I got a compost bin in the garden. It is a colony of cockroaches.How can i make agood compost without cokrchs?

admin answers:

I have a compost pile as well but I have not seen any cockroaches. I make sure that I don’t put any cooked food into my pile though – just grass clippings, old mulch, fresh produce scraps, leaves and various trimmings and such from outside no fats animal or vegetable of any kind.

Grass clippings when added to the pile, sprinkled with lime and then watered really speed the compost process up- at least it worked well for me last year. Good luck and don’t mind the bugs too much.

Chris asks…

Should I put live snails and slugs from the garden in my compost bin?

admin answers:

They’re not just going to stay in the compost. They like fresh food, and will find their way back to your plants. They should really be destroyed. If you have difficulty bringing yourself to do that, just relocate them by throwing them into the nearest field. Lol! I’ve been know to do that!

Technorati Tags: Compost, Compost Bin, garden compost, garden compost bin

Achla CMP-05 Spinning Horizontal Composter

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:49:50 +0000

Spinning Horizontal Composter Recycle Your Yard and Kitchen Waste The Spinning Horizontal Composter makes recycling your kitchen and yard waste easy. Just dump it in, roll it, and forget it. In a few short weeks, you will have a nutrient rich compost to boost your garden. Special Features Made from recycled plastic Seven cubic feet capacity Minimizes landfill waste Rodent proof Easy access sliding door Mixing fins break up clumps Turn kitchen and yard waste into fertilizer Natural gas which is typically used to make fertilizers Dimensions: 38″ H x 29-31″ W x 29-31″ D Low Price Guarantee Achla Designs, a Garden Accessories company, emphasizes unique, hand forged, wrought iron, European furnishings for the home and garden. Items range from small hooks and brackets to large pavilions and arbors. They also offer birdbaths, birding & garden pole systems, trellises, statuary, composting products, and wood and metal furniture. In 2004, Achla Designs introduced the Williamsburg Collection, offering reproductions as well as 17th and 18th century inspired designs for the contemporary home. Achla Designs continues to add beautiful and unique items year after year, resulting in an unusually large product line.

Price: $179.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Technorati Tags: Achla, CMP05, composter, Horizontal, Spinning

All About Composting !

admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:49:50 +0000

Essential: All About Composting !

Basic Guide to Composting
How to Go Organic in Composting
How to Succeed with Your Composting Venture
Making Your Uwn Compost Bin
Teach Composting to Kids
The Big Deal on Industrial Composting Techniques
The Greens and Browns of Composting
The Low-Down On Home Based Composting Processes
The Pros of Worm Composting
To Compost or Not to Compost
Avoiding Composting Dangers
Common Materials for Composting from Your Own Home
Compost Smells This and Other Composting Myths
Dynamic Composting Tips and Tricks
Evaluating Commercially Available Composting Heaps
Getting the Most Out of Your Compost
Getting to Know Your Composting Equipment
Helping Nature by Composting

Price: $2.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Technorati Tags: about, composting

CompoSpin 50 Gallon Recycled Plastic Composter Tumbler – STC077

admin — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 19:49:50 +0000

Additional features Reduces landfill waste Designed to handle all compostable yard garden and kitchen waste Attractive patented design is fun to use Easy to move from one spot to another Rodent and small animal proof Durable construction designed for all seasons Assembles easily in about 30 minutes Requires only common household tools to assemble Includes easy-to-read pictured assembly instructions 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects You’ll have nutrient-rich compost for your garden in just 4 to 6 weeks and you won’t even have to get your hands dirty with the CompoSpin 50 Gallon Recycled Plastic Compost Tumbler. Environmentally conscious in every way this composter not only helps you reduce landfill waste but it’s even made of recycled and recyclable materials. It holds an impressive 50-gallons and is fun to use. Just toss in your compostable yard garden and kitchen waste give the composter a spin now and then to mix it up and before you know it you’ve got beautiful compost. It’s so easy to use and is durable enough that it handles all seasons. Plus assembly is quick and easy and requires nothing more than your common household tools.

Price: $198.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Technorati Tags: CompoSpin, composter, Gallon, Plastic, Recycled, STC077, Tumbler

ComposTumbler 02001 Compact 12-Cubic-Foot Galvanized Metal Compost Bin

admin — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 19:49:50 +0000

The started a revolutionary new way to make compost nearly 40 years ago! This tumbling composter holds up to 168 gallons/22 cubic feet/18 bushels, one of the largest composters. This composter is easy to load, easy to turn so it is easy to create your compost! It saves time and labor while providing you with a steady supply of your own homemade compost in just two weeks.Made of galvanized metal it is rust resistant and has a easy-to-turn gear driven handle. The front of the unit has a latched door with aerator/drainage units and screen vents. The “Original” is 68″ tall and 50″ wide holding up to six 30-gallon trash bags.

Price: $329.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Technorati Tags: 02001, 12CubicFoot, Compact, Compost, compostumbler, Galvanized, Metal

ComposTumbler 08001 Back Porch 5-Cubic-Foot Heavy-Duty Poly Compost Bin

admin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:49:50 +0000

This lightweight, portable composter is a good choice for people who don’t have a lot of room. The Back Porch ComposTumbler is 37 inches high x 31 inches wide x 26 inches deep and stands on a frame that rests on 6 inch wheels. It holds 37 gallons of compost material, and 4 inside mixing fins help break up large pieces of compost. The combination of an aerator/drainage unit on the bottom of the composter and screened side vents makes sure your compost gets the proper amount of oxygen while preventing animals from getting into it. 5 year manufacturer warranty.

Price: $269.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Technorati Tags: 08001, 5CubicFoot, Compost, compostumbler, HeavyDuty, Porch

Eco Tumbler Composter

admin — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:49:50 +0000

This 55 gallon Composter has a hexagon barrel that is produced from extruded corrugated plastic. This plastic though corrugated in appearance is durable and is fully supported by the surrounding metal frame. The hexagon shape improves the mixing and agitation of your organic material. Airflow is created via the end vents and a small gap between the doors. This airflow helps eliminate excess moisture which is common in batch composters. Moderate assembly (about 30 to 40 minutes) using 12 small screws and 2 bolts.

Price: $129.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Technorati Tags: composter, Tumbler

Eco-Composting Love

admin — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:49:50 +0000

ATTENTION ALL ECO-LOVERS: Do You Want to Help The Environment And Save Money?

Do you love working with nature… Creating a garden… Keeping your yard looking nice… But hate the cost of fertilizer? …Do you want to help the environment by reducing your ecological footprint? If so, then you’ve found the right book!

Many people don’t compost because they think it’s smelly, messy and not worth it…But did you know that 20-30% of landfills are kitchen waste!

Imagine the impact on the environment if people just started composting their kitchen scraps alone…Not to mention ALL their organic waste!

And it doesn’t have to be messy at all…In fact, with today’s technology composting is clean and efficient…and you can compost as much or as little as you want!

You don’t have to be a farmer with a giant composting bin to see the benefits. On the contrary, you can live in a house or an apartment and experience all the great advantages composting has to offer!

And once you get your composting bin started, composting doesn’t cost you anything at all. It can actually start saving money.

Compost is the end product of organic decomposition. But this decomposed organic material is LOADED with nutrients other plants need to grow…

So basically, your kitchen scraps turn into FREE fertilizer!

Furthermore, composted fertilizer doesn’t have all those potentially dangerous chemicals found in most store bought fertilizers.

That’s not all…Composting material helps keep your soil soft and conditioned!

Once you get started, you can have almost a constant supply of FREE all natural fertilizer for your flowerbeds, lawn, or potted plants!

But unfortunately many people don’t even know how to start composting – much less experiencing its benefits – because it’s an enigma, relegated as something those “earthy” people do.

But Why Should Helping The Environment And Saving Money Just Be For The “Earthy” People?

Doesn’t everyone want that?!

Not only that, but you can help keep landfills from becoming land-FILLED!

As you can see, composting isn’t just for a few dedicated environmentalists – it can benefit everyone.

Going “green” is certainly the trend right now, so why not start by composting?

This is a complete guide to composting. It contains everything there is to know about composting in simple, understandable language so that you can easily learn things like:

- Composting Basics: Getting started composting on the right foot!
- What Makes Composting Work… A fascinating breakdown of how composting works, and why you want it!
- Keys to Great Composting …fundamental principles on how to create the best compost!
- The 3 “R’s” of Composting: You may have heard of these before… but never in a way that could save you money!
- A Quick Start To Composting… get started composting without all the fuss (and mess!) of learning it for yourself.
- Composting Recipes… the difference between good compost and smelly compost
- How To Use Your New Compost… see your gardens greener!
- Different Composting Bins… have the right bin for the right house and yield the most punch!
- How To Build A Composting Bin… customize your bin to your exact situation and get the most of your compost!
- Plus much, MUCH MORE!

This just scratches the surface of what’s in this book. If you’ve ever been interested in composting but didn’t know where to start, then this book will help you get started on the right foot.

It contains everything you need to know to begin helping the environment AND save money today through effortless composting.

Price: $8.97

Click here to buy from Amazon

Technorati Tags: EcoComposting

Envirocycle Composter – Compost Tumbler

admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:49:50 +0000

The Envirocycle Composter produces quality compost and compost tea quickly and easily. < h2> The Envirocycle compost tumbler is a user friendly composter that eliminates mess and odor, and is compact. This makes the envirocycle composter perfect for those with limited space. The Envirocycle compost tumbler simplifies composting with it’s rolling and mixing action. < h2>This composter is specifically designed to simplify the recycling of kitchen and garden refuse. It produces quality compost more quickly and easily than conventional composters by its rolling and mixing action which keeps the ingredients well mixed and aerated. This compost tumbler also makes rich compost tea to feed your plants. < h2> Compost tea is a rich organic liquid plant food appreciated by gardeners everywhere. Use it on your house plants, outdoor plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, garden and lawn to help them grow and grow. The Envirocycle Composter comes in a choice of black or green. < h2> Due to the size of the envirocycle composter total shipping for the composter is $29. 95, within the contiguous United States. The shipping charges to ship the Envirocycle to Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico is $163. 16. You may also call for more information. Only ground delivery is available. Transit times on the envirocycle composter may vary. < em> Ships FedEx ground only Envirocycle Composter Features Compact, durable and user friendlyAeration occurs through small openings in the drumLockable lid prevents access to the compost by small animalsThe drum is indented for easy gripping and rollingThe base is able to collect up to 5 gallons of liquid fertilizer or compost teaOption of direct drainage The Enviro cycle Composter Compost Tea maker allows for year round composting. It’s perfect for today’s lifestyle and works well on a balcony, in a garage or in the garden. Size H 30. 5″ x W 25. 5″ x D 20. 25″ Weight 19 lbs Holds 7 cubic feet of compost Base Holds 5 gallons of compost

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Technorati Tags: Compost, composter, Envirocycle, Tumbler