I had made plans to build a compost bin out of wood, but then I accidentally found a galvanized fire ring at Tractor Supply. No top, no bottom. Sits straight on the ground getting lots of rain, sunshine, and hopefully worms. I turn the dirt several times a week to blend all the stuff I dump into it. So far so good.
It needs a air tower in the middle with holes to become aerobic and no holes on the top. In just one rainstorm it can get gallons of water through those holes.
I started out with a trash can just like that. It eventually split down the side and I've moved on to a black plastic 55 gallon barrel. My yard is about 15 by 15 ft. Concrete. So I can't plant in ground. I use large black plastic storage boxes as a raised bed. Somehow the worms find their way into my compost barrel and are very happy there. I worried about the freezing temperatures during winter. Doesn't seem to bother them and I turned it again today. It's about 30-35 degrees today. I even used my hand pruners to cut up the old dried out tomato and pepper plants and add them, with a bunch of swept up leaves from my asian pear tree, into the barrel. The tree is in a 55 gallon barrel as well. I got about a dozen very sweet and juicy asian pears last fall. I grew it from seed about eight years ago. I'm also VERY "crazy about compost". There's just something fascinating about it. The science, nature, process, value, recycling, etc. Just subscribed ! 😁
My trash can composter with a perforated pipe does really well right up to the point when temps drop here in Indiana (zone 5a). My first batch was started in the fall and I rotated it into an empty can every week or so until it finally froze solid. Whenever it thawed enough I broke it up and turned it over thru winter and continued into spring. After 6 months (late fall, winter and early spring) I had partially broke down material. I ended up using this as filler for a new raised bed I'd built. I started another batch in early spring and by fall that batch was completely broken down and absolutely perfect. I have since bought a Geobin. I filled it to the brim with mowed up leaves and whatever grass clippings were mixed in. I made sure to thoroughly soak the leaves as I filled the Geobin and I have since been adding kitchen scraps every week or so. I haven't really turned the leaves, just sort of mixed it up a bit when I add greens. Even without a real turn it's holding its temp really well. Right now it's 17 degrees outside and the bin is at a little over 120. I'll continue using the trash can method but only to start new batches in the spring.
I live in Texas. Pretty sure my trash can compost is going to heat up. I turn it on it’s side and roll it around a bit every few days. I have holes on top, sides, and bottom. I didn’t use a PVC pipe with holes in it down the middle. I feel there is enough aeration, especially since I do roll the can a bit every few days.
Hi Cathy, I add any and all food to my compost bin. Meat/bones/dairy/fish etc are all totally fine for composting- for every amount of food you add to the center of your compost, add 2-3 times that amount in cover materials and you will have no issues with composting them.
Nice work... What about an upside down garbage can on a giant paver so you can access the oldest stuff first from the bottom with a flat shove and not have to mix it or touch it? I think maybe 20 holes on the side (none on top) will suffice. I'm in Florida, that shit's gonna bake.
Please and thank you… Can you explain how to make your compost sifter? I have been trying to figure out that part of the composting system with not much luck!
Hi, I found a metal basket that was a comparable size to my tupperware tub and just used that. I placed some wire mesh scraps in the bottom of it to get the size down to roughly 1/4" or so. Wire mesh is really sharp on the edges- I might make another one, but the materials haven't popped up yet. You could build a square from 2x4 scraps and then tack down a piece of wire mesh to it... lay it over a wheelbarrow or prop it at an angle against a tree and shovel your material onto it and let it run down through. Plenty of room to get creative!
@@cavacino i don't grow anything! i use my compost for horticultural purposes and mix it in. my goal this spring is to build some balcony containers that are squirrel proof.
Flies are the result of uncovered compost piles, or piles that dont have enough brown cover material on top. As long as your food is deposited down in the center, and you have a layer of brown materials on top, you'll minimize the pests. Keep in mind that a compost pile is an ecosystem too...
Do you have any tips for People living in the cold for more then 5 months/year? I am living in Quebec, Canada. Can I still collect during winter? Thank you very much :)
Absolutely- The trick is just having a compost bin big enough to handle your household volume of materials plus cover material (which you can stretch out a bit if you're short on it). i've been adding to a frozen pile for almost a month now and it's on the edge of getting into gear. Need that critical mass...
i know right? drilling the holes is a mess and takes forever! the more, the better. i wouldn't go closer than 1" between them though... when the can gets full, it's dense/heavy and I don't want the contents busting out the sides!
I had made plans to build a compost bin out of wood, but then I accidentally found a galvanized fire ring at Tractor Supply. No top, no bottom. Sits straight on the ground getting lots of rain, sunshine, and hopefully worms. I turn the dirt several times a week to blend all the stuff I dump into it. So far so good.
It needs a air tower in the middle with holes to become aerobic and no holes on the top. In just one rainstorm it can get gallons of water through those holes.
I searched it up but couldn't find it considering this guy didn't aerate it well would I need that
I started out with a trash can just like that. It eventually split down the side and I've moved on to a black plastic 55 gallon barrel. My yard is about 15 by 15 ft. Concrete. So I can't plant in ground. I use large black plastic storage boxes as a raised bed. Somehow the worms find their way into my compost barrel and are very happy there. I worried about the freezing temperatures during winter. Doesn't seem to bother them and I turned it again today. It's about 30-35 degrees today. I even used my hand pruners to cut up the old dried out tomato and pepper plants and add them, with a bunch of swept up leaves from my asian pear tree, into the barrel. The tree is in a 55 gallon barrel as well. I got about a dozen very sweet and juicy asian pears last fall. I grew it from seed about eight years ago. I'm also VERY "crazy about compost". There's just something fascinating about it. The science, nature, process, value, recycling, etc. Just subscribed ! 😁
My trash can composter with a perforated pipe does really well right up to the point when temps drop here in Indiana (zone 5a). My first batch was started in the fall and I rotated it into an empty can every week or so until it finally froze solid. Whenever it thawed enough I broke it up and turned it over thru winter and continued into spring. After 6 months (late fall, winter and early spring) I had partially broke down material. I ended up using this as filler for a new raised bed I'd built. I started another batch in early spring and by fall that batch was completely broken down and absolutely perfect. I have since bought a Geobin. I filled it to the brim with mowed up leaves and whatever grass clippings were mixed in. I made sure to thoroughly soak the leaves as I filled the Geobin and I have since been adding kitchen scraps every week or so. I haven't really turned the leaves, just sort of mixed it up a bit when I add greens. Even without a real turn it's holding its temp really well. Right now it's 17 degrees outside and the bin is at a little over 120. I'll continue using the trash can method but only to start new batches in the spring.
Volume is key to keep compost cooking through the colder months- a full Geobin can provide just that. Thanks for sharing!
I am going to binge watch your catalogue!!! Your video’s are excellent.
Thank you so much! I appreciate the support. Good luck watching all the videos and let me know if you have any questions as you go along!
I have made a garden for many years, but never made compost.Thanks and glad to see you stay safe.
I live in Texas. Pretty sure my trash can compost is going to heat up. I turn it on it’s side and roll it around a bit every few days. I have holes on top, sides, and bottom. I didn’t use a PVC pipe with holes in it down the middle. I feel there is enough aeration, especially since I do roll the can a bit every few days.
Always happy to hear from you! Hope you are well!
Thanks! I appreciate it.
Looks fine to me, great effort. If all at least try I sure we can collectively make a difference.
Hey, how come you’re not posting any more videos, buddy?
We do that and it works great!
Awesome- great to hear!
How the heck can worms find the compost pile do they detect the nutrients coming down during rainfall???
They smell rot
This may be a dumb question but when building my trash can composter do I also put holes in the bottom l??
Sure. I only have a couple on the bottom- nothing too crazy.
Can I use a large metal drum? Not sure what you call them, I have 210litre metal drums. Will that work for compost?
Yes
do you only put plant/vegetable scraps in, or do you put in meat/bones?
Hi Cathy, I add any and all food to my compost bin. Meat/bones/dairy/fish etc are all totally fine for composting- for every amount of food you add to the center of your compost, add 2-3 times that amount in cover materials and you will have no issues with composting them.
Is there any harm to using partially decomposed compost for gardening?
I would use finished compost for gardening instead of unfinished compost, or compost that has recognizable organic materials still intact.
I think that would be ok to use in the fall and winter when plants are not actively growing.
I only drill holes at the bottom, you think I should drill more holes on the side and top?
Yes, definitely. This will help with airflow throughout the pile.
Nice work... What about an upside down garbage can on a giant paver so you can access the oldest stuff first from the bottom with a flat shove and not have to mix it or touch it? I think maybe 20 holes on the side (none on top) will suffice. I'm in Florida, that shit's gonna bake.
Please and thank you… Can you explain how to make your compost sifter? I have been trying to figure out that part of the composting system with not much luck!
Hi, I found a metal basket that was a comparable size to my tupperware tub and just used that. I placed some wire mesh scraps in the bottom of it to get the size down to roughly 1/4" or so. Wire mesh is really sharp on the edges- I might make another one, but the materials haven't popped up yet.
You could build a square from 2x4 scraps and then tack down a piece of wire mesh to it... lay it over a wheelbarrow or prop it at an angle against a tree and shovel your material onto it and let it run down through. Plenty of room to get creative!
I use this method as well because i have a small space it works amazing love the content keep it up
Thanks! Will do. If you have any suggestions for what you'd like to see videos on, let me know.
@@tylerw2531 would love to see what you grow with your compost....do u mix or grow in straight compost
@@cavacino i don't grow anything! i use my compost for horticultural purposes and mix it in. my goal this spring is to build some balcony containers that are squirrel proof.
Very good video
I like your video! Here I have a question:"Do all kinds of flies go inside the bin and lay eggs and produce lots of fly worms?"
Flies are the result of uncovered compost piles, or piles that dont have enough brown cover material on top. As long as your food is deposited down in the center, and you have a layer of brown materials on top, you'll minimize the pests. Keep in mind that a compost pile is an ecosystem too...
Did you say you put worms in that trash can? I always heard you couldn't do that. And why wouldn't they leave through the holes?
They dug up INTO my bin! I started with none and now have TONS to put in my garden!
How many gallons is that trash can?
Very cool!
Do you use any table scraps such as bones or meat products?
Saw comment from another. Answered my question completely.
@@lindabennett8494 Cool- feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. Thanks! tyler
Do you have any tips for People living in the cold for more then 5 months/year? I am living in Quebec, Canada. Can I still collect during winter?
Thank you very much :)
Absolutely- The trick is just having a compost bin big enough to handle your household volume of materials plus cover material (which you can stretch out a bit if you're short on it). i've been adding to a frozen pile for almost a month now and it's on the edge of getting into gear. Need that critical mass...
Love this! Such an easy way to compost. Just emailed you from your site too! Check your inbox :)
I’m doing the holes by hand and then I saw all the holes in your can...do I really need that many holes haha 😆
i know right? drilling the holes is a mess and takes forever! the more, the better. i wouldn't go closer than 1" between them though... when the can gets full, it's dense/heavy and I don't want the contents busting out the sides!
I just put about a dozen near the bottom and roll it regularly. I probably should put more but it works just fine
I use a soldering iron to make holes in the plastic. It just melts and is way easier.
You have been missing for a year.
I'm around :) stuff happens.
SUBBED,,,,please share more. Self-sustainability?
Thanks! Any sustainability stuff in particular?
crazyaboutcompost.com Long-term Food Storage/ Pantry..... Foraging..... Water safety.... etc... Thanks so much
He’s hot
Lol