Talk to me about Composting

[Anonymous]

I'm considering buying a compost bin from Home Depot and putting my organic waste in it. Anybody out there compost? If so, can you offer and advice/recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Composting is very easy and you don't need to buy anything special. We started out nailing wooden pallets together to create a three sided bin. We built two of them - one for new stuff needing to compost and one for the old stuff. Some people claim you have to have so much green stuff to so much brown stuff. Bunk. Just throw it in together. If you turn it, it will break down more quickly but you really don't have to do much at all if you've got time to wait for it. The more you turn it, the quicker it will compost.

We put shredded leaves in there as well as all our vegetable kitchen scraps. I keep a kitty litter bucket (with lid) under the sink to put the scaps in and then take it to the compost every couple of days. Very easy!

[Anonymous]

We just started doing this as well. We bought a compost at Costco (very reasonable considering the size), keep it outside. But, we also keep a small container inderneath the sink with a tight lid as well for when I'm cooking, etc.

[Anonymous]

In the summer your indoor bin can get pretty *ripe* - keep it in the freezer! It works. In this climate everything breaks down so fast that a little frozen matter in the summer matters not -

[Anonymous]

This is OP. Thanks! I was afraid this topic wasn't going to get any responses!

We're in the city, so I have some concerns about rats. 15:16 -- do you have any problems with pests?

15:48 -- how much did your composter cost from Costco? I'm looking at one from Home Depot for $179.

[Anonymous]

When we were composting, we definitely attracted a couple rats. But it was an exposed pile rather than an enclosed bin. I'd guess the enclosed bin would be less rat-attractive if you rotate it regularly and keep it closed.

[Anonymous]

We don't compost..yet, but FYI if you drink coffee...used coffee grounds can be good fertilizer for plants. We sprinkled the grounds on our garden.I think it may deter some pests too.

[Anonymous]

Also no animal or diary products in your pile. Eggshells are ok tho.

[Anonymous]

OP - We compost here in the burbs, but we used to live in Richmond in a rowhouse (so in a city) and we composted there, too. We used an enclosed bin (also bought from Costco for $70 or so a few years ago) and didn't have problems with rodents. We had a decent lot for a rowhouse and kept the bin in a far corner of our lot.