Have Metal Trashcan - How to Start Composting?

[musho3210]

How do you set one up? I was thinking on using an old metal trashcan but really i know nothing about it, i don't have much room in the back but i can use my balcony but it doesnt get much sunlight. How do i start on and take care of one?

[Gnome]

Musho,

I never bother with containers of any sort but I am in a somewhat rural area and have the room. In order for a compost pile to heat up it must be of a certain minimum size, about 3x3x3 and be comprised of the proper ingredients. Otherwise you will have a cold pile that takes much longer to decompose.

Norm

[tiggs&oscar]

Hi Musho,

It's surprisingly easy, compost bins can come in loads of shapes and sizes and don't necessarily have to be in full sun although if you live in a cooler area sun part of the day helps.
If you have a small area then you want a covered one like the bin you mentioned. Compost is made up of green and brown ingredients and the balance between the two stops it being too moist or too dry.
You can put loads in but stay away from meat products, cooked veg, citrus and animal waste. I've just started my compost bin this spring and even though there isn't much in it yet it is already generating heat.
I've also been told newspaper or toilet roll tubes ripped up are really good.

TO

[jwtrapper]

This is my compost bin. I made this last month and it works great. I pulled everything out of it today and ran it through my sifter to sift out what has been already been composted. I filled up a little over half of a wheel barrel full of compost, and it looks great too. I have put in grass clippings, news paper, toilet paper rolls, egg shells and cartons, lots of kitchen scraps, wood chips, straw, some old potting soil, old beer, pee, weeds, grass clumps, laundry lent, shredded bills (no glossy paper though) paper towels, I'm sure I have missed something but if its "compostable" I try to get it in there. I am having a lot of fun with it really. I turn it daily and when I add things to it I turn it a few times. I now have 2 more barrels in the garage waiting to be turned into composters if I can ever find the time.[/img][/code]

[lillgardnr]

wow...that's great...what a wonderful idea...i haven't started my compost pile yet, guess i felt a little overwhelmed...Ive never done it before...but all this info. is so helpful i think i may start my own. just need to choose a spot...should i look for a space in full sun?

[easygoing]

Just thought you would like to see my compost tumbler made from large stainless steel Kleenmaid brand recycled washing machine tubs I used a one third hp geared motor running through a second reduction box for a final turning speed of 1 rpm it holds around 250 kgs of compost 560lbs and easily turns when full ,any fines that fall through the tiny holes are used as seed raising mix any liquid runs into the barrow umder neath hardest job is loading it, turning it is easy just switch it on and stand back and watch it

[/img]

[easygoing]

How do I post photos on this forum mine seems to have failed

[easygoing]

composter photo

[lillgardnr]

wow...that's big! pretty cool you don't have to turn it your self....how often should i turn a pile of compost by hand (shovel)? I'm new to this, and basically know nothing about it.

[buddy110]

This is my compost bin. I made this last month and it works great. I pulled everything out of it today and ran it through my sifter to sift out what has been already been composted. I filled up a little over half of a wheel barrel full of compost, and it looks great too. I have put in grass clippings, news paper, toilet paper rolls, egg shells and cartons, lots of kitchen scraps, wood chips, straw, some old potting soil, old beer, pee, weeds, grass clumps, laundry lent, shredded bills (no glossy paper though) paper towels, I'm sure I have missed something but if its "compostable" I try to get it in there. I am having a lot of fun with it really. I turn it daily and when I add things to it I turn it a few times. I now have 2 more barrels in the garage waiting to be turned into composters if I can ever find the time.[/img][/code]

\

Wow I did not know you could use paper towels and such things like paper. I have to try that.