Compost Bin? Yea or Nay? I'm a noob to lawn and gardening.
by
Doug S
+15
For past several years, autumn has come and gone; and I send dozens of yard waste bags to the landfill. I have been wondering about the benefits to composting. However, wife is concerned about having an eye sore in the backyard (she would prefer if we had a compost it would be hidden in the shady back part of the yard; but hear that compost bins should be in full sun to promote its process).
(1) Do the benefits of a compost bin outweigh the "eye soreness?"
(2) Is it critical that the bin be placed in full sun? How much sun should it get?
(3) Since the yard is going dormant and grass clippings will be scarce; what would be a good addition to the brown leaves?
(4) We have a yard service. Heard that compost with yard clippings from treated yard service is a BAD thing. The resulting compost created from chemically treated grass clippings should not be used in flower beds (or gardens!). Any truth in this?
Or would it be better to be safe than sorry and buy the compost from a local vendor?
Thanks,
Doug
P.S.
Apologies on the wordiness.
18 answers
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Doug...here is a great article by one of out frequent Hometalk members. http://www.networx.com/article/rectifying-stinky-compost I have helped lots of clients get set up with composting...some of the biggest problems have to do with carbon and Nitrogen balancing, as well as moisture balancing. "turning" a pile is also a topic of controversy. Some insist other don't. The trick is to establish a pile that can work aerobically...which generates more internal heat...this can be done with turning OR proper use of loose material...sawdust...straw...leaves etc.
KMS Woodworks
on Nov 04, 2011
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You have really asked the important questions,Doug. Sunlight is not critical for composting but moisture certainly is. A combost bin, also, need not be unsightly. Wood framed ones can be quite attractive and some morning glories or hyacynth beans on the wire ones dress them up pretty well. No meat, bones or grease but veggie kitchen scraps and trimming will add the green to the brown leaves and - if you turn the compost periodically - won't lead to any stinky effect. Check with your yard service about persistance of their products but an active broad leaf herbicide mixed in the compost would be bad medicine for flowers or veggies. Contact your county extension service for the best local info. It isn't an instant fix but, in three years, compost has turned my little garden spot from hardpan to soil you can turn bare-handed.
Bob and RodMan S
on Nov 04, 2011
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Thanks for the replies. I often feel that if I had started composting a few years back; we would have spectacular soil. Better late than never.
Doug S
on Nov 04, 2011
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Sounds like you aren't super-excited about using the compost (and the wife is maybe less excited). Have you looked into public compost programs in your area. I know a lot of trash companies around here are launching compost services - or there may be a way to contribute to compost bins for community gardens.
3po3
on Nov 04, 2011
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Before we left TX we had 3 composters - we are a family of 3. All different types and all worked well. Gave 2 away before moving and have 1 now but will likely get another. Lots of options. I add molasses or compost tea to the mix. We have a compost bucket in the kitchen - No, it doesn't smell - when full we put it in the large composter. Leaves and clippings along with kitchen scraps works great.
Carol
on Nov 05, 2011
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Carol...thats a sweet looking back yard
KMS Woodworks
on Nov 05, 2011
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Compost bin/pile I say yea. Recycle, recycle, recycle everything. That is not to mention the wonderful nutrients that your plants will get and the food you will be feeding your earth worms, both of which are essential to a very healthy garden/lawn.
Paul M
on Nov 05, 2011
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Yes! Especially if you have children you can teach by exposure to the way our wonderful world works. Decomposition Happens! I also have reservations concerning the waste by products of a heavily treated chemical lawn. If you use a chemical maintenance company I would not use the grass clippings. Leaves should be ok. There are a million books (use the net and save trees though) on what to put and what not to put in your compost. Worm Farming is the most rewarding, but not quite as easy as the Vermiculturalists describe! My suggestion to you is to start small, show your family it can be done without be intrusive to the neighborhood.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Nov 05, 2011
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When your wife sees how much better your yard starts looking when things get regular additions of compost, she'll come around.
Douglas Hunt
on Nov 06, 2011
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Your yard must look spetacular in the fall!
Flowerscapes Garden Design & Landscaping
on Nov 06, 2011
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I'm in a wheelchair, so a compost pile is not practical for me. I cut up all my kitchen scraps, shred up paper waste, gather leaves and grass clippings and bury it under the mulch in whatever bed I'm working on that day. The worms and plants seem happy and I don't have to turn a compost pile...win, win!
Karen G
on Nov 06, 2011
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I love that strategy, Karen. I'll bet you have very happy plants.
Douglas Hunt
on Nov 07, 2011
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I appreciate the positive feedback. Thank you all. I hope to build the compost soon and provide pictures. (1) I wanted to build the compost, in lieu of buying one; mostly because I want to be handy. (2) I apologize for any misconceptions that I may have led anyone about being apprehensive. I am excited about this and really would like to get into gardening and yard work. Currently, my fear is based on my own ignorance about composting, gardening and yard care. With composting, any results/failures will not be evident until weeks/months later. So that's why the original post. You have helped me make a decision. It sounds like the benefits of the compost outweigh the labor and any eye sore it may cause. I appreciate that the compost does not need to be in direct sun. We'll place our in a back corner.
Doug S
on Nov 07, 2011
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We'd love to see a photo of your compost bin when you get it made, Doug. Gardens are pretty resilient things because plants really want to grow, so don't be afraid to dive in.
Douglas Hunt
on Nov 08, 2011
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I kept my composting as simple as possible. I'm a lazy composter. It takes longer, but it still works. Fortunately, I have an area between two pine trees that happens to be a good place for my purpose. Yard waste goes in with only a slight percentage of food scraps. Infrequent turning slows the process, but the stuff on the bottom is very benefitial!
Travis P
on Nov 08, 2011
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I have an old plastic trash can that I drilled holes in all around. I fill it with yard and kitchen scraps. Then once a month I turn it on it's side and roll to mix. In six months, I have compost.
Donna S
on Dec 13, 2011
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Rolling the old plastic trash can sounds like a great idea. Inexpensive too. There are also some composting containers on the market if you're looking for something ready made and within the "not an eyesore" category. Try http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?q=composting+bins&qpvt=composting+bins&FORM=HURE#x0y0 Definately all raw organic waste will work including egg shells and coffee grounds. No animal fat or cooked foods or weeds tho.
Joe Washington
on Dec 14, 2011
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Compost, compost, compost! You will love yourself for it after your first batch of Black Gold is yielded! It is so simple too, don't let anyone tell you different. You can make simple compost "containers" out of 3-4' garden wire garden fencing as long as you make sure that the area gets sun and rain or water with hose every so often. I have four bins and have used the soil to build raised beds. Great stuff!
Cynthia R
on Jan 24, 2012
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