Today we got our compost bin system set up! We have had a small "Earth Machine" composter that Raj's mom gave us (you can see it in the bottom left corner of this picture) when we moved into our house, and have enjoyed the benefits of it each year. However, we have way too much yard debris, and so this year we wanted to incorporate the yard debris and kitchen scraps into a whole composting system. Why pay to have it taken away, and then pay to get compost for gardening later, when you can make it free at home!Last year we found some free pallets offered on Craigslist. (Don't you love Craigslist!) We had done some reasearch on building a compost bin system, and found out that most people use the pallets for the bins.
Last fall I started clearing out a spot in the back of the yard, leveling it, and getting it ready for the bins. Today, Raj and I actually got the bin system put together. We have one bin which will be like a holding cell for yard debris, and leaves, and coffee grounds (free from Starbucks), and then the other bin will be our compost pile bin. We will layer our compost, much like you would a lasagna. We will layer green, brown, kitchen waste, and coffee grounds (which eliminate any early odor)!Here are some picture of the progress. We are still working on the area around the garden, that's a whole other project!
Raj helping to clear the spot.
Deena moving debris. (Nice action shot Raj!)
Nailing the two pallets together...I even got to help with this, and I got to saw some of the wood pieces!
Ollie after hearing the power saw for the first time, nothing but ears! Surprisingly he didn't try and attack it like he does the vacuum cleaner! We did find that he likes the get into the new composting area, so we are going to attach some chicken wire to the inside of the compost bins, and put up a small gate so he can't get in. We don't need another $200 vet bill!
This is what was inside of our "earth machine" when we removed it. The top hadn't broken down yet, but underneath, there was nothing but "black gold"!
And one shot of what we accomplished today!
1 comment:
Looks great! You guys worked hard. Make sure that Ollie can't get into it. Do you remember when Molly got really sick when I was in Hawaii years ago? She got into the neighbors compost bin. Chicken wire is a great idea. No sick puppies. I'm jealous... I would love a compost area, but I don't trust my dogs... maybe eventually.
Post a Comment