46 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

btatro, on 03 June 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:

Great information here. Some opposing opinions, but good nevertheless. I would love to have my own compost, but would prefer not to keep it indoors. I live in an apartment so I only do simple pot planting at this point. One day, I will have my big outdoor garden, greenhouse, and compost pile!

You can always get a small tumbler composter. I like mine better than a pile anyway-easier to turn.

[steph84]

Thanks for all of the information shortpoet! I was just picking up some squash out of my garden today and thinking, "Gee, I need to start composting for next year!" I had no idea that I could already use the compost within 90 days. Great to hear it!

[Isabellas2007]

You can put anything that is not a meat or dairy product. I will warn you that Broccoli will make it smell really bad! Mine actually out grew any of the indoor things and moved to the point I had to devote a corner of my garden to it. I can tell you from experience, the dirt you get from here will be better then anything else you can find.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

steph84, on 07 June 2012 - 04:57 PM, said:

Thanks for all of the information shortpoet! I was just picking up some squash out of my garden today and thinking, "Gee, I need to start composting for next year!" I had no idea that I could already use the compost within 90 days. Great to hear it!

You're welcome.
We know it's black gold; anti-greenies think it's oil.

[E3 wise]

I have to agree 100%, we have a compost tumbler and the compost is literally the best thing for plants.  I know some people who swear by miracle grow, but for us, being 100% organic and using compost means that, I can feel good about what we grow.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I've mentioned this before, somewhere............
but when I moved into this house, the ground was rock hard clay "soil."

After years of composting and spreading it around, my whole yard is good, easily spaded soil now. Lot's
of beneficial insects and easier to work for planting.

[ACSAPA]

Has anyone done any worm composting? Supposedly the worm poo from having worms in your compost is a great fertilizer.
Would you ever keep worms ,or do they gross you out?

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I haven't per se, but I used to have tons of worms in my yard. With the heat and drought over the past several years,
they either died or moved east.
And it's funny, but I know what you mean Acsapa, Earth worms don't bother me a bit, but most others give me the willies.

[ACSAPA]

btatro, on 03 June 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:

Great information here. Some opposing opinions, but good nevertheless. I would love to have my own compost, but would prefer not to keep it indoors. I live in an apartment so I only do simple pot planting at this point. One day, I will have my big outdoor garden, greenhouse, and compost pile!

If you live in an apartment ,here's a tutorial from Apartment Therapy on making an adorable little compost bin for under your kitchen sink so your balcony plants can enjoy some good soil.

http://www.apartment...ndoor-co-138645

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Some cool compost products here. (That first one could easily be a diy project made from pallets.)
http://www.bobvila.c...ign=scribol.com

[tigerlily78]

ACSAPA, on 26 July 2012 - 03:01 AM, said:

Has anyone done any worm composting? Supposedly the worm poo from having worms in your compost is a great fertilizer.
Would you ever keep worms ,or do they gross you out?

Inevitably my compost pile became something of a worm pile as well. I briefly played around with a large roughneck tupperware for intentional vermi-composting, but quickly became concerned that the container might be getting too hot in our hot Georgia summers. I did not want to have a worm oven.  :)

[fancyfingers]

I would suggest seeing what your local gardener will suggest. What works for someone in the north east, for example, may not work for someone in the south west. The basic ideas are the same, like do not put meat scraps into the pile, but location may make or break your compost.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

fancyfingers, on 04 September 2012 - 01:46 PM, said:

I would suggest seeing what your local gardener will suggest. What works for someone in the north east, for example, may not work for someone in the south west. The basic ideas are the same, like do not put meat scraps into the pile, but location may make or break your compost.

I know that's right.
I've always had my previous,  fenced in piles (or in recent years, my tumbler) in full sun.

I still have some remnants of the old pile but I put everything into the tumbler and moved it into partial shade.
With this high heat and no rain, it fried it all and nothing composted correctly.
No insects at all inside eating, churning it up, no worms.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Winter composting tips-
http://earth911.com/...ter-composting/

[Dustoffer]

We have had the large black unbreakable plastic vented bin for years.  Originally bought for $35 at a CoSpgs city composting drive, half price, then (14 years ago).  We have the under the sink large bucket with activated carbon air filter, for kitchen scraps.  I use occasional compost starter with it.  When full, it goes outside into the big black one.   Then our Earthship gardens (100 sq. ft.) have a combination of red and earth worms to compost dead plant matter and even buried meat scraps.   It also has a Biolet NE compost toilet used only in the summer or when temps never get below 60*F.  It uses peat moss and compost starter with each "load".
All of this compost, when done, is used in both our outside and inside gardens with no problems.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Oh I miss my wormies. When the drought hit last year, they all moved or died.
I'll have to get more in the spring.
You're lucky to still have them.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I ran across these DIY compost bins (rather than buying more stuff) we can make our own.
Video links-how to's.
http://www.treehugge...-day-video.html

[ChanellG]

I have a blue storage bin with a lid I plan to convert for composting, but ultimately I would like to have worms indoors, at least for the kitchen scraps. It seems like a faster and more efficient process and there's the bonus of the liquid produced that you can collect and use as well.

[tigerlily78]

ChanellG, on 29 December 2012 - 12:40 PM, said:

I have a blue storage bin with a lid I plan to convert for composting, but ultimately I would like to have worms indoors, at least for the kitchen scraps. It seems like a faster and more efficient process and there's the bonus of the liquid produced that you can collect and use as well.

Vermicomposting is great for indoors, just make sure you are mindful of giving the worms enough air holes (drilling holes in the lid and around the sides of the tub near the top should do the trick. If you think other critters may be drawn to your indoor bin, hot glue some window screening on the inside of the tub to make the holes functional for air flow, but not for critter access.

Here is a great "101" resource guide that covers vermicomposting and composting that you may find helpful.  :)

http://www.compostin...composting.html

[ChanellG]

tigerlily78, on 29 December 2012 - 03:55 PM, said:

Vermicomposting is great for indoors, just make sure you are mindful of giving the worms enough air holes (drilling holes in the lid and around the sides of the tub near the top should do the trick. If you think other critters may be drawn to your indoor bin, hot glue some window screening on the inside of the tub to make the holes functional for air flow, but not for critter access.

Here is a great "101" resource guide that covers vermicomposting and composting that you may find helpful.  :)

http://www.compostin...composting.html

Thanks, I don't have any indoor critter issues so I'm sure it will be fine. I don't have a lot of space so I am looking for containers that are taller and more narrow as opposed to wide. I'm still a little ways away from setting up the worm bin though.