We have opted against the pallet-created compost pile as there are small children who play in/around the yard, and to keep the smell down. Instead, we will be creating a compost pile out of an improvised 55 gallon plastic or metal drum. We will be placing it behind the shed at the top of the hill from the gardens.
Still looking at plans for it. We have some trees budding and some flowers peeking their way out of the soil as well. The backyard has remained raked and cleaned as well from the old leaves/muck that was there.
Showing posts with label compost pile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label compost pile. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Composting and our compost pile.
"Composting" is something that I've known about for over a decade; however, I've never exactly partaken in composting or creating a compost pile. We weren't really "green thumbs" at my parents' home in South Georgia as it was just too entirely hot in the Spring and Summer.
Because we've decided to plant fruits, vegetables, and more at our home, I've been looking at composting.
I think one main mistake people make is creating their own compost pile, or a unit to contain the compost. That's not really the mistake. It's the mistake of putting the compost pile right outside their back door, near a window, or close to their home.
Let's think about what compost is. Compost is decomposing matter: kitchen waste (carrot peels, egg shells, etc.) and composted material (in our case...manure). Would you want decomposing manure and egg shells near your house? No.
We are opting against forking out $300 for a composting unit. Instead, we will be constructing our composting unit out of 4 wooden pallets that I was able to get from work. For those of you not as lucky, you can buy them at pallet companies for about $2.50-$4.00 per pallet. Remember, they do not have to be brand spankin' new pallets. We are also opting to use chicken wire inside of our pallets to contain the compost. We have seen other units that don't have the chicken wire, but we'd like to keep everything nice and tidy while also providing oxygen to aid in the decomposing process.
Pictures and plans soon to come.
Because we've decided to plant fruits, vegetables, and more at our home, I've been looking at composting.
I think one main mistake people make is creating their own compost pile, or a unit to contain the compost. That's not really the mistake. It's the mistake of putting the compost pile right outside their back door, near a window, or close to their home.
Let's think about what compost is. Compost is decomposing matter: kitchen waste (carrot peels, egg shells, etc.) and composted material (in our case...manure). Would you want decomposing manure and egg shells near your house? No.
We are opting against forking out $300 for a composting unit. Instead, we will be constructing our composting unit out of 4 wooden pallets that I was able to get from work. For those of you not as lucky, you can buy them at pallet companies for about $2.50-$4.00 per pallet. Remember, they do not have to be brand spankin' new pallets. We are also opting to use chicken wire inside of our pallets to contain the compost. We have seen other units that don't have the chicken wire, but we'd like to keep everything nice and tidy while also providing oxygen to aid in the decomposing process.
Pictures and plans soon to come.
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