When I bought my farm there was no compost bin. I know that it would be best to have atleast a few compost bins. How did you build a compost bin? What were the costs/materials/tools/equipment needed to build it? How much space do I need? Currently my compost bin is way back behind my barn in a wooded area, half of it is in the shade, will this pose a problem with composting? Any other details I should know?
Building a compost bin?
- Thread starter Rowzy
- Start date
Imissmygirls
Lonley for cows
I just pile the stuff in a big pile and let it decompose naturally. There is usually so much that it would be impractical to turn and an organized compost bin is too much trouble.
Either that or I am lazy. And I don't have a front end loader.
Either that or I am lazy. And I don't have a front end loader.
Well, we have a small front end loader to turn the pile- it goes so much faster to good dirt if you can do it.
I put old pallets up on end tied to trees for anchors and tied to each other (so I can take them apart if I want to). That gives me not only air, but a backstop to push the loader against to turn the piles. I don't have actual dividers between my working piles, but when I turn them I just start with the oldest and move them down the line as I go.
I put old pallets up on end tied to trees for anchors and tied to each other (so I can take them apart if I want to). That gives me not only air, but a backstop to push the loader against to turn the piles. I don't have actual dividers between my working piles, but when I turn them I just start with the oldest and move them down the line as I go.
freemotion
Self Sufficient Queen
My chickens turn my pile and do a great job! Of course, I have to help them when I add stuff too quickly, as they only dig down a couple of inches. So I spade it now and then when I am looking to speed up the process. Otherwise, I just let nature take it's course.
I use the compost a lot in the spring and fall, so I have two main piles now, enclosed with pressure-treated posts and board lined with 4' wire (woven) horse fencing. When I added the chickens to the mix, I had to make some liners of a finer plastic mesh that I ziptie to the upper part of the pile and move them up or down, depending on which way the pile is going. This keeps the chickens from throwing everything out through the horse fencing, which has openings that are 2x4".
My pile is about 16' x 24' and I wish I had a front-end loader!
I use the compost a lot in the spring and fall, so I have two main piles now, enclosed with pressure-treated posts and board lined with 4' wire (woven) horse fencing. When I added the chickens to the mix, I had to make some liners of a finer plastic mesh that I ziptie to the upper part of the pile and move them up or down, depending on which way the pile is going. This keeps the chickens from throwing everything out through the horse fencing, which has openings that are 2x4".
My pile is about 16' x 24' and I wish I had a front-end loader!
ducks4you
Loving the herd life
When I lived in town (and the horses lived outside of town,) I tied 4 pallets together and pulled one end apart to use.
NOW, I have:
--One burn pile
RANT: It was ALMOST ALL GONE from the wood left from my old fencing. THEN WE HAD STORM DAMAGE, and now it's 3 times as large and green. AAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!! No amount of accelerant is gonna take down this pile before it's time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--Several manure piles.
Placed strategically far enough away from the fencing to decompose but within the horse area. They are just like dogs---they LOVE to roll in the piles that have turned to dirt--GO FIGURE.
I transport the aged manure to any bed that needs it.
NOW, I have:
--One burn pile
RANT: It was ALMOST ALL GONE from the wood left from my old fencing. THEN WE HAD STORM DAMAGE, and now it's 3 times as large and green. AAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!! No amount of accelerant is gonna take down this pile before it's time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--Several manure piles.
Placed strategically far enough away from the fencing to decompose but within the horse area. They are just like dogs---they LOVE to roll in the piles that have turned to dirt--GO FIGURE.
I transport the aged manure to any bed that needs it.
