Recommendations for purchasing a compost bin.

Has anyone purchased a composter recently? I would like your feed back, both pro and con, on the manufacturer and model.

I am looking for a smaller model, preferably under $200. There are so many models on the internet and in gardening catelouges that I don't know where to start. I like the idea of having one of the barrel models that can be easily rotated but I also worry that they might be cheaply constructed and rust up...or otherwise fall apart after a few winters.

I'd love to get some advice about composters that you have actually used for a season or two.

Thanks

I bought the tumbling composter from Spray and Grow and it is constructed well but I don't think it speeds up the composting process all that well. Many years ago I bought a 30.00 standing composter that the county was selling to promote composting and that one is still working and seems to produce compost at the same rate as the tumbler. Personally, I wouldn't spend what I did for a tumbler.

I am a lazy composter. My husband built me a bin out of boards and wire fencing. One side has no fencing so I can take the slats out to access the compost and add to it. I just threw leaves, horse manure, and some soil plus some granular fertilizer in last fall then uncooked veggie wastes along with coffee grounds all summer. Mixed it up a couple of times. Then this spring I had some lovely compost with a bonus of worms that I put in my beds. Raked my leaves and am starting over. Very easy.

There was just a thread about this very same thing - I say go to the local "touchless" car wash and ask for empty barrels. Unless they're selling them they've got many to throw away.

Then check this out:

http://www.google.com/search?q=plastic+barrel+composter+plans&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

or Google "homemade compost tumbler" or something along those lines. TONS of useful info and ideas.

That's assuming you've got the tools or the inclination. It can be MUCH cheaper this way. As far as lumber goes approach the super on a local construction site and ask if you can rummage through the dumpster. You'd be sickened and saddened by the vast amounts of good lumber that gets tossed away.

Just a suggestion.
I just can't seem to get a barrel past my better half before it's turned into a rain barrel! I've got 5 - 60gal and a 30 and a 15. THe 30 would be excellent for a smaller tumbler. and I think the 15, which I used as a reservoir inside this past winter is going to be used to make a few batches of "green-slime compost tea" this summer.

BTW - We've pretty much totally eliminated using tap water to water the gardens by collecting these barrels!
Now if I could just figure out how to generate electricity with them I'd be set!

There's no need to buy composters, unless you have a reason for preferring to do so. Another cheap, easy way is to construct an open-bottomed box from 3 wooden pallets, and screw on a few 2x4s across the front for the 4th side; leave the top open. The 2x4s can be added as the height of material rises in the composter, and unscrewed to empty the composter. Of course, you can add more compartments, in a chain-wise fashion, by building another unit onto the end of the first one, and so on.


This message was edited Mar 21, 2010 3:57 PM