Need inexpensive compost ideas please!

**leighcat** · 05-30-2010, 04:24 PM

I want a compost. I saw one where a lady used a storage bin with holes drilled into it, but I was wondering if it would smell? I need something inexpensive. I want a compostumbler but financially I don't think it is a good idea. I haven't had a compost before. I live in a city area of Florida so I need something that critters won't disturb. I don't want to attract any rats. So I was wondering what everyone else does? It will be fairly close to the house since my yard is not that wide, so it needs to be stink-free. I would really appreciate some tips.

**Saule** · 05-30-2010, 05:52 PM

I realize that some methods may be more efficient, but dad always just made a big pile of grass clippings and vegetable waste from the kitchen. I did the same, also add coffee grounds. Do not put any animal products in - no bones or anything of an animal nature. Water it when you water your plants, turn it over from time to time with a garden fork. We used this the whole time I was growing up, and I kept one for a number of years, when I did more serious gardening than I have time for now.

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-30-2010, 06:29 PM

All you really need is a pile. It will be hard to keep it from stinking, but avoiding animal products is a start. It is a pile of rotting matter, after all. The smell will not be noticeable from more than a few feet away. It should not attract many critters. I'm in the city, too, and I only get a few squirrels attracted by rotten tomatoes (rotten because they ate half of it already!)

A slightly more attractive solution is to get some chicken wire and make a tube out of it, and stand it on end to make a bin.

This may be helpful: (PDF file) http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/DesktopModul...ocumentID=1090

I find that corn cobs and peanut hulls do not compost well, and the seed pods from sweet gum trees. After two years in the bin I can still tell what they are.

**craftypam** · 05-30-2010, 06:47 PM

a neighbor gave us a square compost bin. Would it work to buy a plastic garbage can with a lid and cut out the bottom? Or how about a storage container.

**MakeADollarHollar** · 05-30-2010, 07:08 PM

I'm in Florida as well (also in town) and worried about the smell at first. Healthy compost shouldn't stink or smell rotten but should smell earthy. If it starts to smell foul, it's too wet and/or hasn't been turned enough.

We started a temporary bin a couple months ago by using a trash barrel. It finally reached the point where it needed to "cook" so DH dumped it in the driveway, gave it a good thorough turning (much more than what I was doing with my hands each evening), drilled holes in the barrel, refilled it and covered it with a screen. It's doing fine and I am now working on another smaller temporary bin as DH will be building the permanent bins in the back yard in a couple weeks.

I found a nice compost bin on the Lowe's DIY website (I'm not sure if it's still there or not). Two nice frame boxes with wire surrounds and lids. One for the stuff that is already cooked and ready to go in the garden and one for the newer stuff that needs some time to break down and cook. But also check out Youtube. There are ton's of composting ideas. You may find something perfect for you and your situation.

One thing I did notice...they draw small fruit-type flies. No matter what type of bin you get make sure it's not close to a door or window. At first we had the bin just off the front porch and the small flies would get in when we opened the door and although I can't prove it, I think they also came in our screens so the bin is now moved to the other side of the house.

As others mentioned, only "green" kitchen scraps, no protein or fats of any kind but we do save our egg shells for added calcium. I toss them in the sink with some soapy water, give a good rinse and try to remove the sticky membrane inside with my fingers. Let them dry for a day or two then we run them through a coffee grinder/spice grinder.

Good Luck!

**Grainlady** · 05-30-2010, 07:27 PM

There are on-line instructions on how to build your own tumbler composter. Here's just one example: How to Build a Tumbling Composter - wikiHow

I'm sold on the Tumblers. They make compost in 3-4 weeks and keep the "wildlife" OUT! About the time you notice a skunk in your compost pile, you'll see the benefits to the Tumbler. I've used 4 different methods and absolutely LOVE my ComposTumbler.

I keep a 5-gallon bucket filled with crushed dry leaves, and another filled with sawdust should I need some brown (dry) material added to the composter. I've never experienced an odor problem.

I've discovered the best combination for me is to line my scrap bucket with a small brown paper lunch bag, or black and white newspapers or tissue paper. The combination of scraps and the paper are just about the right mixture of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) material when it comes to kitchen scraps.

Another PLUS using the ComposTumbler. I catch the "drippings" from the excess moisture that drains out of the unit and dilute it 10-parts water to 1-part liquid and use it as fertilizer for plants - aka compost tea.

**KentuckySaver** · 05-30-2010, 07:52 PM

If is only going to be small couldn't you just use a plastic tote with a lid. With the lid on you could also turn it over sometimes. Take the lid off to add water as needed.

**leighcat** · 05-30-2010, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Grainlady

There are on-line instructions on how to build your own tumbler composter. Here's just one example: How to Build a Tumbling Composter - wikiHow

I'm sold on the Tumblers. They make compost in 3-4 weeks and keep the "wildlife" OUT! About the time you notice a skunk in your compost pile, you'll see the benefits to the Tumbler. I've used 4 different methods and absolutely LOVE my ComposTumbler.

I keep a 5-gallon bucket filled with crushed dry leaves, and another filled with sawdust should I need some brown (dry) material added to the composter. I've never experienced an odor problem.

I've discovered the best combination for me is to line my scrap bucket with a small brown paper lunch bag, or black and white newspapers or tissue paper. The combination of scraps and the paper are just about the right mixture of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) material when it comes to kitchen scraps.

Another PLUS using the ComposTumbler. I catch the "drippings" from the excess moisture that drains out of the unit and dilute it 10-parts water to 1-part liquid and use it as fertilizer for plants - aka compost tea.

I guess I will have to get an extra drum when I get my drums for rainwater! That is a neat link. I think I can get someone to help me make a compost like that. Very cool

**savvy_sniper** · 05-30-2010, 09:52 PM

I have had a compost PILE at three different four different houses for years and have never had a problem with odors or critters. We throw everything in a pile and turn it from time to time. When we take vegetable matter, coffee grounds, egg shells, etc. out to the compost pile, we rake the top layer back, dig a little indention, put the stuff in and cover it back up.

I see no reason to spend money to build something when a pile works just fine. I have been composting this way for over 20 years.

**Pemberleyan** · 05-30-2010, 11:06 PM

You could always make a bin out of four pallets. When I lived in Florida, I had a friend with a lawn care business who used to bring me dozens of bags of grass clippings, which were fantastic and made wonderful compost.

**leighcat** · 05-31-2010, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by savvy_sniper

I have had a compost PILE at three different four different houses for years and have never had a problem with odors or critters. We throw everything in a pile and turn it from time to time. When we take vegetable matter, coffee grounds, egg shells, etc. out to the compost pile, we rake the top layer back, dig a little indention, put the stuff in and cover it back up.

I see no reason to spend money to build something when a pile works just fine. I have been composting this way for over 20 years.

There are people a couple blocks away that have rats. I would rather have something enclosed. We also have muscovy ducks that are into everything around here, not to mention the neighbors very close by who would probably have something to say. It also might be a violation to have an open compost here in the city. I would love to save money but a pile really isn't something I am comfortable with.

**Reupert Donglebottom** · 05-31-2010, 12:18 PM

I bought a composter from a local company called Grandma Roth's Composting Company. She sets up at a couple of the local flea markets and sells her composters. I spent forever looking for a decent one that didn't cost way too much. I've had mine for a couple months now and it's really worked out well for me. I wasn't able to find a website, I don't know that she has one, but I did find one for sale on Ebay. It's not super fancy, but it does the trick and I got it for a great price.

If you search Ebay for Grandma Roth's, you'll find it.

This is not a paid endorsement. Just came across your post and thought I'd share an inexpensive solution I found. Hope it helps.

**frugalfranny** · 05-31-2010, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Pemberleyan

You could always make a bin out of four pallets.

A lot of people do that here. I was going to do it until my pile outgrew the pallets that I wanted to use.

Originally Posted by leighcat

I would love to save money but a pile really isn't something I am comfortable with.

Before I started my 'pile', I did some small composting in a plastic trash can.....large one with a lid. It can be hard to turn but it was more than 'doable' and I had some great compost come out of it. To make sure the wind didn't blow the lid off......I drilled some holes in the top handle and ran a bungee cord through it to hold it on.

**mndtrp** · 06-01-2010, 11:02 PM

You can make a tumbler by finding a 55 gallon barrel, and then doing something like this. A tote wouldn't work, as you would just end up having a rotting mess, since it won't get hot enough for composting. If you don't have much waste, look into vermicomposting.

A proper compost pile won't smell, and if you aren't planning on putting it on vegetables, meat and dairy do just fine. I throw my compost on the lawn, so I'm not concerned about the pathogens.

**Liane** · 06-03-2010, 02:23 PM

We compost and have a pile next to the garden. My current garden is in my old compost spot. Things grow like crazy there. Right now I put the compost next to that where I was growing flowers and ornamental grasses. They were moved to the front year. I put eggshells in my compost and do not wash them or grind them. Where ever you compost start small until you are comfortable. I have not had an odor with my compost. Sometimes there is steam coming from it. It is really neat and warm. Don't put warm compost on plants-they will die. Composting is so easy. Once you get started you will wonder why you didn't do it a long time ago.