I am always looking for faster ways to generate quality compost. Ensuring the pile has plenty of air is a great way to speed up the composting process. The solution is a compost tumbler. Store bought tumblers can be expensive (I think they are worth it). I wanted to create a compost tumbler, but for less money than a store bought version. I bought two food grade screw top containers. The containers were used to transport olives in their past life. Now with one modification they will help me to generate compost in less time. These containers have enough room to get a mass of compost big enough to heat up. I have tried 5 gallon bucket composters and they just don’t give you enough compost mass to heat up. One of the primary goals is to get as much air to the microbes and bacteria that generate compost. I drilled small holes (1/8″) all around the sides and bottom of the container. I add ingredients that I have stockpiled for the tumbler. If everything is combined in the correct ratio the compost will heat up and really cook delivering great compost in less time. To rotate the compost tumbler I just push it over and roll it on the ground. Simple, yet effective.
The precious, little eggling looks and feels like an extra large egg, but crack its top and discover a garden ready to grow! Cultivation is easy — seeds are already sown into eggling’s fortified peat mixture, just crack it’s top (by tapping on it with a spoon), water and place in bright spot. Plants grow for up to five months in the eggling, after which it can be planted directly in soil.
Extremely popular in Japan where it is hand made of white porous ceramic, the eggling (54mm x 47.5mm) comes with a terra cotta tray and an extra seed pack to insure success. Ten egglings are available: three herbs (basil, mint and thyme), three flowers (chrysanthemum, phlox, petunia), and four special edition varieties (lavender, cactus, red pepper, and wild strawberry). In its handsome gift box, the eggling makes a clever and delightful gift for the chef, gardener or anyone who loves the cute and curious.
Links: Eggling Website | How it Works | New Products | Where to Buy
When I make a cup of coffee I always put the used coffee grounds in the compost pile. Coffee grounds add nitrogen to the pile. I read online somewhere that Starbucks has a program called grounds for gardens. I went to Starbucks to grab a latte and asked them if I could have some coffee grounds. They said sure… and gave me a 30 pound bag of coffee grounds. I added it to my presto hoop bin. The coffee grounds made the compost pile really heat up. I put some of the coffee in my worm bin and it made the worm bin too hot. I think moderation is the key in a worm bin. Coffee grounds could be used to keep the worm bin warm in the winter.
I wanted an inexpensive holding bin for composting materials. I ended up buying the Presto Hoop Bin.
It comes as a roll and includes some nylon washers, nuts and bolts. You just create the size you want and then bolt through the holes holding the bin in a round shape.
This bin works well and it is black so it retains heat to help the composting process. It also has lots of holes so plenty of air is always aiding the composting process.
I got my presto hoop bin from planetnatural.com. It is only $24.95 and they are a pleasure to buy from. I bought 2 because I am eventually going to rotate the pile into the next hoop bin and it will contain the finished compost while I am filling the first with new organic materials.
You don’t have to spend several hundred dollars on your composting container.
In fact, you don’t have to spend any money. When I moved into my house the previous owners left behind a green garbage can. After living in an apartment I was seriously ready to start a compost pile. I wanted to make it asap so I used the green garbage can.
I drilled 1-1/4″ holes with a paddle drill bit. The holes allow for proper drainage and aeration. If I were to do it over again, I would drill smaller (1/4″) holes and just drill more of them. This would help to keep the compost inside the can. As the compost in the bottom becomes ready it starts falling out of the big holes.
UPDATE: See the Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) munching on kitchen scraps.
I am always looking for faster ways to generate quality compost. Ensuring the pile has plenty of air is a great way to speed up the composting process. The solution is a compost tumbler. Store bought tumblers can be expensive (I think they are worth it). I wanted to create a compost tumbler, but for less money than a store bought version. I bought two food grade screw top containers. The containers were used to transport olives in their past life. Now with one modification they will help me to generate compost in less time. These containers have enough room to get a mass of compost big enough to heat up. I have tried 5 gallon bucket composters and they just don’t give you enough compost mass to heat up. One of the primary goals is to get as much air to the microbes and bacteria that generate compost. I drilled small holes (1/8″) all around the sides and bottom of the container. I add ingredients that I have stockpiled for the tumbler. If everything is combined in the correct ratio the compost will heat up and really cook delivering great compost in less time. To rotate the compost tumbler I just push it over and roll it on the ground. Simple, yet effective.
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