rec.gardens.ecosystems homepage -> archive: MOD$001217.25383@rec.gardens.ecosystems



Subject: Re: "harvesting" compost and shredder-chippers
From: Jason Roysdon <jroysdon+pacbell@artoo.net>
Organization: SBC Internet Services
Date: Sun, 17 Dec 00 03:46:26
Message-ID: <MOD$001217.25383@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$001210.10271@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



I installed the hardware cloth today with the help of a borrowed staple gun,
my two year-old, and my Wife. Then, I was a bit too ambitious and mowed my
entire lawn (two hours). Ouch I ache. Between .39 acre of lawn and some
extra "brown" leaves from the neighbors across the street, I managed to fill
about 2 ft. of my first 5x5x4 bin.

One thing I was rather jazzed about is that I actually do have a lot more
browns than I'd originally thought. Between the pine needles that fall on
my lawn and the leaves from a few of my almond trees and over-hanging
neighbor trees, most of my bags had a nice mixture of green lawn, some dried
lawn, leaves and pine needles.

I'd over-estimated on the footage of hardware cloth by 5 foot (I'd purchased
two 25ft. spools and one 5ft. spool), so I returned the unused 5 foot spool
and picked up a box of replacement staples for $1.36 and three 5'6"x7" tarps
for $1.56 each and covered the first bin when I got back home tonight.

Oh, and we started saving kitchen scraps. We had apple, potato and union
scraps from this mornings breakfast to add. Also, I picked up a paper
shredder for $25 at our local WalGreen's (with fitting trashcan), so we'll
have plenty more to be adding on a nearly daily basis. What's the
suggestions on paper? No glossy or dyed/colored paper, right? What about
standard bills, etc. which may have a little color printing on them?

--
Jason Roysdon
List email: jroysdon@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://jason.artoo.net/

"Jason Roysdon" wrote in message
news:MOD$001214.15060@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
> List email: jroysdon@hotmail.com
> Homepage: http://jason.artoo.net/
>
>
> "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
> >
> >
> >
> >
>