Subject: Re: "harvesting" compost and shredder-chippers From: Jason Roysdon <jroysdon+pacbell@artoo.net> Organization: SBC Internet Services Date: Thu, 14 Dec 00 08:04:20 Message-ID: <MOD$001214.15060@rec.gardens.ecosystems> References: <MOD$001210.10271@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
I returned the chicken wire today. Double the cost for the same hardware
cloth, but it definately seems more sturdy. Can't wait to outfit my bins
with it.
Bad news is that my wife contacted the waste company and they won't give us
any discount for returning the green plant-waste trashcan. I've decided to
keep it for a wheelbarrel of sorts, and plan to write the city to suggest
promoting a composting class that the local junior college offers and
forcing the local waste management companies to discount using only the
black trash cans we have (instead of forcing payment for two cans for those
that don't need a green can).
"Jason Roysdon" wrote in message
news:MOD$001210.21093@rec.gardens.ecosystems... > > Thanks for the advice, Bill! I'd never heard of hardware cloth, but a > simple search on the web found me some pictures: > http://www.xmcorp.com/mesh_fencing/hardware_cloth.html > > I completed the wood construction today. It was beyond dark when the last > nails were hammered in, so I didn't even unroll the chicken wire yet.
Which > is a good thing now that I've read your advice! It's tucked away safely
in > my little garage, and will go back to the hardware store in exchange for > some hardware cloth and some tarps. The wood frame is pretty study, so
I'm > happy that it all turned out good, and I can't wait to finish it next > Saturday. > > After it's completed, I'll be mowing .38 acre of grass that's anywhere
from > 3-4 inches tall up to 6 inches in some areas. I'm also thinking about > renting a chipper next weekend and adding a nice mix of chipped pine > branches and grass. I'll probably fill my first bin of 5x5x3 easily, but > then be able to take it easy for some time. > > As I'll have two bins empty, should I use the center bin to toss the left > bin into, and back and forth every week? That seems to be the advice I've > read. Also, I've got a pretty moist environment (we generally have fog in > the morning, but not always) and I don't want things too wet, and I've
also > read about using a hose to wet down the layers as I add them. I'm
guessing > I should just do a light spray between layers? > > Thanks for all the advice in getting me started! > > -- > Jason Roysdon > Newsgroup email: jroysdon@hotmail.com > Homepage: http://jason.artoo.net/ > > > "Bill Robinson" wrote in message > news:MOD$001210.10271@rec.gardens.ecosystems... > > > > Jason shared that he was in the process of constructing > > a series of compost bins and that he was planning to > > build them using 2 x 4s and chicken wire. He asked > > about the design, placement, and use of the bins. > > > > For one, I think that chicken wire is too light and > > it would be better to use hardware cloth. It is much > > stronger and more stable. I like the idea of a three > > bin system with the bins lined up in a row for easier > > operation: a bin to receive raw stuff which is allowed > > to age and wilt, filling the second bin with aged and > > wilted stuff from the first that has been run through > > the shredder-chipper, and the third bin for more or > > less finished from bin 2 that is also screened. > > > > If the bins are all the same size, you can make a screen > > that will work with all three. I use one made from 2 x 4s > > and heavy duty hardware cloth. > > > > I did an article on composting for the L. A. County Rose > > Garden's web page at http://victorian-rose.org/Design/GD.may.00.htm > > and another one on shredder-chippers for that same web page at > > http://victorian-rose.org/Design/GDnov.00.htm > > > > I'm in the process of trying to write FAQ material on > > shredder-chippers. Any comments or suggestions? > > > > Bill > > > >