DH built this for us. He used a plan I found online. (Are we allowed to post websites?) We have a lot of leaves in the fall. A lot of them go back into our yard as leaf mulch but a lot go into here. This is when it was brand new. Except for a new coat of paint it has held up great. The lid is not quite square any more but it is not necessary for it to close tightly. We collect Compost Tea at the bottom (not shown) using a trough. Found the barrels for $5 so just the cost of a few 2 x 4"'s and 2-4 x 4"'s (Treated) it was an inexpensive project.

Ingenious! Such a desirable asset at such a low cost. Quite amazing!

Hi, to ATP, Cheryl.

That's a very cool setup. Having two bins would be great; one for adding the newer stuff, and one that can be left for finishing.

To help with your question:

ShadyGreenThumb said: (Are we allowed to post websites?)

Based on what I've seen, the posting of websites in ATP is discretionary. If someone asks for a link, it's probably okay to post it. If ever I'm unsure about posting one that another member has asked to see, I'll send it to them in a personal mail (tree-mail). (One reason to keep outside links to a minimum would be to reduce the amount of dead links found here in the future. )

My biggest question about your composting system is, are all the fastenings, including the turn cranks, attached with screws? If so, it looks like we might be able to build our own.

chelle said:Hi, to ATP, Cheryl.

That's a very cool setup. Having two bins would be great; one for adding the newer stuff, and one that can be left for finishing.

To help with your question:


Based on what I've seen, the posting of websites in ATP is discretionary. If someone asks for a link, it's probably okay to post it. If ever I'm unsure about posting one that another member has asked to see, I'll send it to them in a personal mail (tree-mail). (One reason to keep outside links to a minimum would be to reduce the amount of dead links found here in the future. )

My biggest question about your composting system is, are all the fastenings, including the turn cranks, attached with screws? If so, it looks like we might be able to build our own.

Thanks for the welcome. As you follow me and my pictures you will find DH is an Overkiller and used nuts and bolts on everything wood and then some! And I mean that in the most kindest way! See that silver dealy on the side of the barrel? It is some sort of plumbing nipple, it helps hold on the pre cut/threaded pipes we used as a crank. Add a few elbows and you have a crank. Oh yes, he also covered the pipe with pvc for comfort as the pipe can get hot. All that was his invention---sorta, actually it was my idea he just figured it out the parts. The throw locks and door latches and hinges also nut-bolted on. He used a drill a lot but i can't recall what he used to cut out the door piece?

OK as far as the site, look for it in Instructables.

I always wanted to compost but never liked the open bin technique nor did we have the room for it. One barrel wasn't enough and as I said, two barely covers it but takes up little space. Plus I think it looks cool, don't you?

I do think it looks cool, and better yet, it looks like it works great!

He probably cut the door opening with a Sawsall; luckily, we have one.

Thanks for posting this!

Or angle grinder with a cutoff wheel.

Oh great idea and job, looks great also. I have to add this project to my "to do list" for the winter. I compost in a box made from pallets and I never turn the compost because it accumulates too fast and gets to heavy so it takes a year before I can use it. How long does it take in your barrels to be ready to use? Do you add any nitrogen or accelerates to it? And how do you use the "tea"?
I think this is wonderful setup, would be easy to dump in wheelbarrow.
Thanks so much for this post.

>> I never turn the compost because it accumulates too fast and gets to heavy so it takes a year before I can use it.

I don't always turn my pile, but I do stir it some when I add scraps. And when I have more than one pile, I rake the dry woody outer layer off the older pile and add those to the younger pile (I "demote" slower stuff). If I only have one pile at the moment, I try to make a hole in the center, then rake the outer layuer into the center ("turn it inside out"). That reduces the amount of forking and shoveling I have to do, but still churns it slowly.

Lately, when I need compost, I've been scooping out the center of my small pile, which is finished fastet because it stays moist all the time, and .that's where I add high-N kitchen scraps.

Then I put it through a 1/2" screen to remove twigs or other large pieces. Thos let me use compost as soon as it's ready, and I think that means that my plants get more of the N and C, rather than having the compost microorganisms c onsume it and burn some of the C away as CO2, and release or leach some of the N.

That's a nice one..Now how do I convince BF that I "Really" need one in the new house

Oh I got it.." Wow that's nice,bet it's ""ReaL"" hard to make" What you think ?? I think that will get him

going

Shannon, you are brilliant!!!! I'm stealing that line!!!

Awesome compost bins!

That is a awesome idea did you put the 4×4 post in concrete and if not how deep did you go?? I saw where u mentioned the web site did you ever post it.THANK YOU FOR A GREAT IDEA! !!!!!!!!!!"

What a simple idea. Quite neat. Does black colour any help?

See you made it!

Ok here's the link where we got our idea @Dinu, @Damian . We tweaked it and used metal barrels. Being we are in the mottled shade most of the year, anything that attracts heat like the black color works to our advantage. The posts are in cement about 2-3 feet down. We put a trough between the two so we could collect Compost Tea to use in the yard @TomPNW. But most of the time it evaporates before I remember to use it. It doesn't compost overly fast seeing how we are in mottled shade. I have never added anything to it. When emptying the barrels into a wheelbarrow it tends to spill on to the ground some so be sure you don't plant anything tender around it. Contemplating planting a Giant BOP to the side of it since the GH will be next to it. Kinds sort of like to soften the edges so that it is just not sitting out in the open, you know? But might get in the way. Still thinking on that.

http://www.instructables.com/i...

@shadygreenthumb what a great idea. I'll have to add this to my list as well!