Inexpensive way to start composting?

[Steve Magruder]

I've been trying to think of the cheapest possible way to start composting. I thought of asking for a composter on Freecycle, then realizing I couldn't fit a fully constructed composter in my car or even my mom's SUV. So, I need to use materials to construct one or buy a kit of some sort. Any ideas?

I'm asking because my partner isn't sold on the idea of spending much money to start this, with all the other things we need.

[kath]

Do you need a composter for aesthetics? Because you don't need anything to enclose a compost pile- all you need is an area that's large enough to start building a pile at least 3' square. We build piles that are much larger but none of them have enclosures of any kind. They get covered/uncovered with a tarp to control moisture.

[Steve Magruder]

Originally Posted by kath

Do you need a composter for aesthetics? Because you don't need anything to enclose a compost pile- all you need is an area that's large enough to start building a pile at least 3' square. We build piles that are much larger but none of them have enclosures of any kind. They get covered/uncovered with a tarp to control moisture.

I would say aesthetics are a minor concern as I live in a suburban neighborhood. It doesn't have to be pretty, but having something to enclose the material would the best choice for me.

[kath]

Originally Posted by Steve Magruder

I would say aesthetics are a minor concern as I live in a suburban neighborhood. It doesn't have to be pretty, but having something to enclose the material would the best choice for me.

I see- we live in a rural area so we're the only ones who have to look at them. Glad to see others have suggestions for really inexpensive options for you.

[SIP Gro-Tubs]

Originally Posted by Steve Magruder

I would say aesthetics are a minor concern as I live in a suburban neighborhood. It doesn't have to be pretty, but having something to enclose the material would the best choice for me.

No enclosure needed, you probably have the perfect object around the house, or they are available at any dollar store.

When I, was very young around 11, I, worked for a lady who did her composting in small piles behind her tall shrubs next to the fence around her yard.

But the neat thing about her piles of compost were that they were pretty much basically the same height, same roundness, and they were done composting in the summers heat in lest than 6 months.

She didn't use any compost starters, no enymes, nothing but weeds, and fresh cut grass. She would collect the weeds and put them in a pile to be used, after she mowed and raked the fresh grass clippings.

She used a bushel basket.

1. Place 3-4" of fresh clippings in the bottom of the basket and compress them as much as you can.

2. Place the weeds in the center of that but away from the sides of the basket about 2", mash them down as much as possible.

3. Then add more fresh grass clipping on top and along the sides. But, what you need to do is stuff the clippings down the inside, pack it in as tight as it will go. You'll be surprised to how much you can get in a bushel basket.

4. Keep building with the weeds in the center, till you fill the basket.

5. Take the basket to were you want it to sit for 6 months without being disturbed.

6. Flip the basket up-side down as fast as you can on the ground, shake it gently while pulling straight up.

7. Wahhlla, you have a perfect pile, the shape of the basket, no weeds showing. Rain won't even knock it over.

8. If you don't get a perfect shaped pile then you didn't stuff the sides hard enough.

She was 88 years old, when I worked for her, she lived by herself till she died at 99+. And till the day she died she could stuff a bushel basket, flip it, and have a perfect shaped compost pile.

You might ask, "How long did it take me at 11 years of age to perfect my piles" 2 times. You see she would deduct 30 minutes from my wages for the day for a fallen over pile, didn't take long to perfect her technigue, and I still use it today.

Terry Layman

[Rockporter]

Originally Posted by Steve Magruder

I've been trying to think of the cheapest possible way to start composting. I thought of asking for a composter on Freecycle, then realizing I couldn't fit a fully constructed composter in my car or even my mom's SUV. So, I need to use materials to construct one or buy a kit of some sort. Any ideas?

I'm asking because my partner isn't sold on the idea of spending much money to start this, with all the other things we need.

My husband is working on a three composter set for me when time permits and I would say by the time you pay for all the misc stuff to build it you may as well have just bought one and had it shipped to you. I will post pics when it is all done. He is using 55 gallon blue barrels that had been full of soy sauce. I don't know when he will be finished because he is very busy and just does some small bits at a time. It should only take about 3 hours total to build one* if you have the time and parts to do it.

Take a look at DIY composter instructions online for ideas.

*Build one-meaning one 55 gallon barrel composter-not three of them.

[ScottinAtlanta]

I just put some logs in a square and pile inside them.

[Redbaron]

Originally Posted by ScottinAtlanta

I just put some logs in a square and pile inside them.

[Al@NC]

If you don't have the space to block off some ground, I suggest the trash can composter!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZyox5yLiMU

I made one with a can that doesn't have the handle locks, it simply has a lid and it works great..

Al

[Steve Magruder]

Originally Posted by Al@NC

If you don't have the space to block off some ground, I suggest the trash can composter!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZyox5yLiMU

I made one with a can that doesn't have the handle locks, it simply has a lid and it works great..

Al

That's a great demo. I couldn't tell if he drilled holes in the bottom, though. It just looked like around the sides and in the lid.

[Steve Magruder]

Also, I do have space to block off ground... in fact, I have a corner of the yard where two chain link fences meet, and it's shady most of the time. The only thing I would have to figure out is what to use to block it off.

I also have a candidate plastic trash can in mind that may work for converting to a bin like in the demo.

So perhaps I could go either way.

[TightenUp]

i did not like the trash can when i tried it. nothing wanted to break down.

i switched to three sided chicken wire fence with t posts. i even have a second pile with just 2 sides of chicken wire. its a corner just like you described. its easy to empty and turn the compost

[bughunter99]

Originally Posted by Steve Magruder

Also, I do have space to block off ground... in fact, I have a corner of the yard where two chain link fences meet, and it's shady most of the time. The only thing I would have to figure out is what to use to block it off.

I also have a candidate plastic trash can in mind that may work for converting to a bin like in the demo.

So perhaps I could go either way.

Grow some vines into the fence. That's two sides blocked right there.
Here is mine between the stumps. I'm in the burbs



Stacy

[Steve Magruder]

Originally Posted by bughunter99

Grow some vines into the fence. That's two sides blocked right there.

Stacy

Good idea, but in my case, I think the neighbor that owns one side is about to replace the chain link with a taller wooden fence.

[Al@NC]

No holes in the bottom and the secret is lots of air and water your compost. I do not have mine sitting on blocks either.

Al