Composting suggestions?

[zach]

My wife and I recycle as much as we can and try to buy products with minimal packaging whenever possible. It seems a lot of the stuff that ends up in our trash bin is stuff that we could compost. I'm not sure where to start though. My dad used to compost food waste and yard waste and he just made a cylinder shaped bin out of chicken wire on the corner of the property and mixed it up with a pitch fork every once in a while. It was stinky and not very nice to look at though.

I've seen those ones they have in the Sky Mall magazine but I don't want to buy a big hunk of plastic if I don't have to.

Is there a better way to do it that won't piss off my neighbors?

[ohiosurfer]

How about worm-composting (vermicomposting).

Vermicompost - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Plans for a bin:

Worm Compost Bins


I haven't tried it yet, but it seems promising.

[ohiosurfer]

Hey Zach,

I was just wondering if you started composting yet and if so, do you have any knowledge to to pass along?

[Christi]

I have been composting into the same black plastic bin for over 20 years.

I put in all kitchen veg/fruit scraps (no meat or dairy), add wetted brown (grocery or lunch) bags occasionally, I only buy cardboard egg cartons so I wet them and add, throw in a bucket of dried leaves sometimes, grass clippings, shredded newspapers, etc. I think I remember 1/2 green to 1/2 brown (that would be the dried leaves, newspapers, etc.). I turn with a garden fork whenever (once a week or so). No odor except for the time I buried whole fish in the compost one summer. Big fish.

So as not to bore the rest of the world I will gladly share what I've learned if anyone wants to contact me.

[zach]

Hey ohiosurfer, I haven't actually looked into it any further yet. I was going to do some more research and start this spring. I'll update this thread with any info I find.

Christi, thanks for the info! It looks like it isn't as complicated as I thought it was going to be. I'll stay away from fish!

[greenerest]

I use the vermicomposter and LOVE it. I keep the whole thing in my kitchen. No smells, nothing. I put coffee grounds, left over vegetables, egg shells, even junk mail in my composter. I love my 500+ pet worms! Would recommend this to anyone.

[ian_arthur]

I came across an interesting composting product today meant for indoor use. I don't have any experience with the product, but it may be of interest to you:

Nature Mill Compost

[zach]

Thanks greenerest and ian_arthur! Both look like great options, I'll have to check these out.

[gludeman]

As Christi said, just avoid putting meat or dairy waste in the compost. Those are what will make an aweful stink. Alternately layering the green and brown wastes (about 1/2" to 1" thick) helps create an even mix that composts more efficiently. Adding a little manure will help to make a balanced compost. "Turning the pile" doesn't need to be done unless you are in a real hurry to have completed compost. One important factor in making good compost (that I haven't seen mentioned yet) is to insure the pile is moist. A dry pile isn't doing anything but taking up space.

Some of the best compost piles I've seen have been very simple. One good option is a 4'x4'x4' wooden "box" with 1/4" spaces between the boards. This box can be painted or decorated to not be an eye-soar to neighbors. Throw waste in the top. Shovel finished compost from the bottom when needed. Usually it takes about 4-6 months to get finished compost.

[steve2018]

Pressure your local authority to introduce a municipal composting scheme. They've just done it in the South Wales valleys, so theres hope yet.

Check this out.

Real Valleys Media