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" 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 > > > > > > > > >