Using a Garbage Can for a compost bin?
tom_n_6bzone
17 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (28)
roundpeg
17 years agokqcrna
17 years agoRelated Discussions
How to Enrich Soil for Sowing?
Comments (11)Bags of dehydrated or composted manure from the store, as others have said, don't smell. Don't worry about that. My experience is that aged rabbit manure doesn't smell, either (or at least it definitely doesn't smell bad, or strongly). I have less experience with other manures, but after it's composted, or even when it's just well aged, it won't smell. Yes, tea leaves and egg shells and banana peels are great for the garden (many plants, not just a couple of kinds of plants), though I usually send them through the compost first. When I used bagged tea, I send tea bags into the compost whole (though if they have a plastic tag, I'll remove it)...the rest will break down in the compost. If you're not going to compost them, I'd get them into the dirt sooner rather than later, because they won't be really useful until after they've broken down. You might consider putting them out immediately rather than stockpiling them -- some people bury kitchen scraps directly in the garden, but I don't really know the details, so you should figure out the best ways to go about this. I also put egg shells in my compost, but you can't expect them to break down into nothingness at the same rate as kitchen scraps. They take a while to break down, but over time, the minerals are leached out, and the shells become thinner and weaker, until eventually they break down and you can't see them any more. I just toss them into the compost as-is, which usually means in halves. When (if?) I turn the compost, I may poke at them with a pitchfork, or crush one in my hand. You know, if I feel like it. The longer they've been in the compost, the thinner and weaker they are. My Spring garden always has bits of egg shell scattered across it, but now that I think about it, my Fall garden never does. I think you're on the right track, but I also think you're doing both too much and too little. I say too much, because I think you're going to much more effort with your scraps (charring, grinding, etc.) than you need to, and it's probably not worth the effort. I say too little, because if you want to amend your soil organically, you probably want more volume than that. In order to get started this year, I'd suggest that if you can't find another source, that you re-think the bagged products (such as manures, though sometimes you can find things labeled "compost") from your local garden center. While they may not be odorless, they won't *stink*. I promise. See what people have to offer on Craigslist, too, because you might be surprised. This will give you a boost while you get your own compost going, and research other sources. Meanwhile, get a compost bin or pile going. I don't know where you live (state, city/country, etc.), so I don't know what to recommend, but there are lots of options. I live in the city, so I use garbage can compost bins, which I make by taking a 32-gallon garbage can, and drilling 1/4"-1/2" holes all over. The size is just right for my family and my yard (I don't have the volume for a more traditional pile). If you have a larger space, a more traditional compost pile (or something semi-enclosed with wooden pallets or chicken wire) might make more sense. Either way, none of these approaches is difficult, or expensive. Just do it! Take today's banana peels and tea leaves, and START. Eventually you'll have compost....See MoreIn praise of garbage can compost
Comments (26)Yea... I wasn't paying attention to my measurements,that skinny one is 32" wide, the rest are 40" Oh Well.. Too Bad... So Sad ;-) But Yes, It is absolutely wonderful... no screwing around with a funky bottom, Wire mesh poking me when I "get into it" and 86 ing those heavy friggin' drums Oy Vey ;-) Once I get some more stuff composting ,I will show you guys a video of how I turn it,... You are gonna be soooo jealous (which is half the reason I do this stuff ;-)...See MoreCan I use this old trash incinerator as a compost bin?
Comments (5)Some pros and cons here. Looks like you could use one side for sure, but once you filled the side with no door, how would you get stuff out? Digging from the top will kill your back. What's the inside divider made from? Can you remove that and have one compartment? The other issue is aeration. There aren't many holes here. If the walls are concrete you can't just drill holes very easily. You could stick perforated pipe in your piles to get some air in there, but I don't know if that would be enough... Might be better as a place to store something else, or use as a leaf bin. Leaf mold takes a lot longer to make and therefore wouldn't require as much air circulation....See More10 pounds of organic grapes??
Comments (2)Great stuff, but way too much to give to a pound of worms all at once. Smash or cut the grapes, too. Tough for the worms to "bite" through the grape skin. Any chance you have a regular compost bin? A converted trash can would work (see link below). Find a tray to collect any drippings if you're keeping it inside the warehouse. Then you could dump the fruit in this bin and take stuff out when you need it for the squirm. Of course fruit flies may become an issue. There are ways to reduce that problem, but not to really eliminate it. Andrew Here is a link that might be useful: garbage can compost bin...See Moretom_n_6bzone
17 years agodiggerdee zone 6 CT
17 years agotom_n_6bzone
17 years agoremuda1
17 years agopablo_nh
17 years agotom_n_6bzone
17 years agoKimmsr
17 years agoskipp
17 years agomarie99
17 years agobpgreen
17 years agomike_stubbs
17 years agoKimmsr
17 years agonapapen
17 years agorobertzone6
17 years agoprimo_pomodoro
17 years agokqcrna
17 years agonamfon
17 years agorecluse
17 years agopablo_nh
17 years agodavid52 Zone 6
17 years agoconsty
17 years agojavamilk
17 years agopkapeckopickldpepprz
17 years agoladykitsu
16 years agoBrian O. Boatright, AIA
6 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGLet's Talk Trash Bins
No one gazes fondly on garbage cans. Keep your street cred intact and your bins under wraps with these camouflage solutions
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGet on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)
Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHouzz TV: Make a Worm Bin for Rich Soil and Happy Plants
A worm-powered compost bin that can fit under a sink turns food scraps into a powerful amendment for your garden. Here’s how to make one
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGHow to Fix a Stinky Garbage Disposal
No plumber’s fee or even a trip to the hardware store is required with these easy solutions
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPING10 Chores You Can Whip Through During Commercials
Use ad time for getting tasks done, and it’s like fast-forwarding your house into cleanliness
Full StoryCURB APPEALHouzz Call: How Do You Hide Your Trash?
No one wants to see those trash and recycling bins. So where do you stash them while you wait for the garbage truck? Show us your designs!
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSSee How a Practical Garden Can Be a Visual Treat, Too
A university edible garden overflows with ideas for growing produce and flowers in containers, beds — or a pickup truck
Full StoryINSIDE HOUZZUsing Houzz: Create a Home To-Do List
See how to use an ideabook to keep track of your home projects this year
Full StoryFEEL-GOOD HOME12 Very Useful Things I've Learned From Designers
These simple ideas can make life at home more efficient and enjoyable
Full StoryHOLIDAYS10 Ways Your Christmas Tree Can Live On After the Holidays
Learn how to recycle your Christmas tree and reap benefits for the environment
Full Story
joepyeweed