Thanks julianna_il! I got a compound mitre saw for Christmas and was anxious to do something with it. I spent a few hours cutting and cutting and cutting. Yeah, it is treated wood since it was used to construct a balcony deck in this new house on the block. The builder carelessly used the empty lots from my house as a dumping site. I can't complain really since the materials were free. I know some recommend against treated wood for a compost bin, but it is better than the alternative (no compost bin at all). I've not used any compost from the bin yet and have had it decomposing little bits of things since April.

Do you have a freecycle group up there? YOu also might post on craigslist.

Going back in time for this one... 2003 - I suffered a brain aneurysm (Gardening continues my therapy) 2004 - I fastened a Radio Shack indoor/outdoor digital thermometer to a stick to check compost temps. (cuz that's what I had). This worked but the readout was rather slow and the stick width made it difficult to push into the pile. 2004/2005 Frugal Gumby broke down and bought a compost thermometer. I doubt I paid much for it but lets say I paid $24 for it and I've had it for 10 years (so far). Each year the cost of its use is going down. I know gardeners who spend more than that for compost, or soil, or compost and soil. What have you paid for your last shovel? Trowel? Plants? You get the idea. So maybe if you can't spare the change for the right tools to enjoy life maybe you need to find a different hobby or just go to the farmers market. I am willing to bet you can find a compost thermometer for less than this one... http://www.amazon.com/Thermometer-Greenco-Stainless-Fahrenheit-Temperature/dp/B01BMX3SYI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1463873717&sr=8-2&keywords=Compost+Thermometer

For anyone interested in free compost and willing to travel to Fresh Kills in SI. Keep in mind that each bag weighs 40 lbs. See details below. http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/zerowaste/residents/how-to-get-compost.shtml NYC Department of Sanitation Compost Giveback When: May 21, 2017; Time: 9am to 5pm Where: Fresh Kills Headquarters, 1010 Muldoon Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10312 NYC residents can receive up to 60 bags (while supplies last) of free, high-quality compost (a natural soil amendment) at our spring giveback! Compost creates healthier soil which leads to healthier plants. Each bag of compost weighs approximately 40 pounds, so check your vehicle manual to make sure you do not exceed your vehicle’s weight bearing capacity. Please note: while DSNY staff will be present to assist residents, you should be prepared to physically lift and place individual bags of compost into your own vehicle. This event is not for businesses; commercial vehicles will not be serviced. Only vehicles registered to NYC addresses can pick up compost.