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Oct 28, 2011 5:57 PM CST
Name: Jamie R
Zone 5b, WI (Zone 5a)
save the rainforest & habitat
Herbs Butterflies I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member Native Plants and Wildflowers Region: Wisconsin
Dog Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters Bulbs Irises Roses Lilies
We DO have a city yard where folks can drop off yard waste and pick up compost that is pretty nice and free to residents. I usually go with a friend who has a truck, unless you want it just dumped into the truck bed though (and she doesn't), you have to shovel it into containers. That, and the loading and unloading, in the midst of all of the other fall clean-up, can get a bit taxing. I may yet go get a couple of bins with my mini SUV, it is not as nice as my own though. I'm vegetarian and can make some lovely kitchen waste over the season.
Woman on the eastbound train
...........................................Je Suis Désolé.
(also a mule lovin', Charley huggin' girl)
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Apr 24, 2012 2:19 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
Nice to read this thread. Have not yet done any composting and I realize this is a good way to get even with the tons of leaves, catkins, leaf kernels I get from the city trees. I do have a one question, does your compost bins have problems with ants? That is one of the things that concerns me, since I see ants going thru our pavers. Have been putting diatomaceous earth on them from time to time. I do not want to give further incentive for the ants to stay in my garden. Have seen good sized composters that I think is a good size for our yard, but the potential of more ants bothers me.
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Apr 24, 2012 4:15 PM CST
Name: Karen
Valencia, Pa (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cut Flowers Winter Sowing Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Echinacea
Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Ohio Region: United States of America Butterflies Hummingbirder Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Well, compost ingredients turn into what looks like dirt, so it has bugs in it. All kinds of bugs, including ants, if the compost isn't hot. But when it eventually gets to the cold, maturing state, it looks like dirt, and it has bugs. Insects help turn compost into the wonderful stuff that it is. I'd say you can expect some ants in it, but it shouldn't be overrun with them. Shrug!

Karen
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Apr 24, 2012 6:34 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
I've occasionally found small ant nests in my compost pile, but it's never been a problem for me -- however, keep in mind that my compost pile is on the edge of our yard, where the woods /cedar swamp starts; if your compost is closer to your house it could possibly be more problematic. Turning the compost over does seem to discourage them, though, I think they prefer more undisturbed living quarters. And, as Karen said, compost does attract various bugs and worms, which is not a bad thing! Smiling
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
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Apr 24, 2012 9:38 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
Thanks Karen and Sandy Smiling Really have to think about it...my yard is not that big and with an awkwardly shaped layout too, have been trying to imagine where to decently put one if ever.
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Apr 25, 2012 4:40 AM CST
Name: Karen
Valencia, Pa (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cut Flowers Winter Sowing Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Echinacea
Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Ohio Region: United States of America Butterflies Hummingbirder Celebrating Gardening: 2015
That's the reason why I keep my bins way in the back corner of my yard. If I mess up and make it stinky, nobody notices. It keeps any possible critters well away from the house. I've never been bothered by bugs. It is outside my house, and after all, the outside is nature and it belongs to them. It's where they belong and I'm the intruder. In some areas bears are a concern, but not around here.

Many people like to have the compost close to the house so it's easy to go out and toss in kitchen waste. I'd rather walk a bit than attract possible critters near the house. I don't compost in winter. I'm not going out there in 10 degrees for anything. Hilarious!

But I've been composting for many, many years, and really not had a problem with critters. I found mice in it twice, and a little snake once, and I think that was it.

Karen
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Apr 25, 2012 7:19 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
I agree, Karen -- I don't want it close to the house, either. At times mine does seem to attract (or maybe breed) some kind of small flies, so I'd rather they were out near the woods!

In the winter my compost gets pretty buried by snow and usually freezes pretty solid, and I don't like to just throw stuff on top because the dogs will get into it, so I now have a smallish garbage can with the bottom cut out that I stick on top of the pile before it gets too solid, then i add my kitchen scraps to that over the winter; need to take it off and mix the stuff in as early as possible, though, or it REALLY becomes home for flies and maggots and who knows what else! Actually the amount of stuff that I add over the course of the winter isn't all that significant, but I feel better about putting it in the compost rather than in the garbage... and one can never have too much compost, so every little bit helps.
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
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Apr 28, 2012 3:56 AM CST
Name: Jo Ann Gentle
Pittsford NY (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cat Lover Heucheras Hellebores Container Gardener
Birds Region: New York Avid Green Pages Reviewer Irises Garden Ideas: Master Level Lilies
We have a black box in the only area where its possible.
Alas next to the house and in the corner where the deck steps are. DD and I have tried to figure a new place for it but there isnt anything close enough to the house and where there is enough sun to keep it cooking.

We dont compost meat or bread products. I cant remember why. The box has a lid so large critters cant get in but small ones come up under.
Those little black flies are gnats,part of the decomposing process.
The sluggs are in there too.
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Apr 28, 2012 4:50 AM CST
Name: Karen
Valencia, Pa (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cut Flowers Winter Sowing Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Echinacea
Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Ohio Region: United States of America Butterflies Hummingbirder Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Well Jo Ann, you have the advantage of not needing to take a long hike to the bin. As long as the only pests are flies, not so bad. In areas plagued by bears, rodents, and the like, it would be different!

I have a batch out there now, started last fall, that's about ready to spread. The weather is supposed to warm up (finally!) this week, so I have to get my butt in gear out in the garden. Maybe I'll get to spread that compost. I don't wait anymore for it to be fine, dirt-like, stuff, I'll spread it while still in a somewhat chunky state. Best to do it before I do much spring planting or mulching.

Karen
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Apr 28, 2012 5:16 AM CST
Name: Jo Ann Gentle
Pittsford NY (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cat Lover Heucheras Hellebores Container Gardener
Birds Region: New York Avid Green Pages Reviewer Irises Garden Ideas: Master Level Lilies
We all work within our constraints.
Bears qualifies as a hazard.
There was a young Black Bear on the canal path here. It made the news and DEC people said to leave it alone because it was a young male just turned out of the family and was looking for a mate.
The bear made its way to the southern part of the state which is sparsely populated, about 60 miles away

It sure turned heads here for the week it took for it to leave the populated area.
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May 13, 2012 11:08 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
We saw a composting bin at a Costco store: Lifetime dual bin compost tumbler for $138+tax. I liked the price and the dual bin capacity, so we got it. Have not assembled it yet. Tomorrow my hubby will assemble it and in the meantime I have to clear space for the composter. So a newbie in composting coming soon! Smiling
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May 14, 2012 2:19 AM CST
Name: Jo Ann Gentle
Pittsford NY (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cat Lover Heucheras Hellebores Container Gardener
Birds Region: New York Avid Green Pages Reviewer Irises Garden Ideas: Master Level Lilies
tarev: the drawback to our bin is there isnt a suitable spot for it on our property except next to the deck.I dont believe there is enough sun there so our compost is always wet but we use it anyway with great results.
Good luck with yours.
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May 14, 2012 4:14 AM CST
Name: Karen
Valencia, Pa (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cut Flowers Winter Sowing Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Echinacea
Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Ohio Region: United States of America Butterflies Hummingbirder Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Congrats on jumping in, tarev. I think you'll be happy you did.

Karen
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May 14, 2012 4:19 AM CST
Name: Jo Ann Gentle
Pittsford NY (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cat Lover Heucheras Hellebores Container Gardener
Birds Region: New York Avid Green Pages Reviewer Irises Garden Ideas: Master Level Lilies
I agree with Karen.
Compost really makes a difference in the size and health of plants and recycles household vegetation.
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May 14, 2012 4:36 AM CST
Name: Karen
Valencia, Pa (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cut Flowers Winter Sowing Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Echinacea
Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Ohio Region: United States of America Butterflies Hummingbirder Celebrating Gardening: 2015
You really don't need sun, either. The heat of composting comes from bacterial action.

Karen
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May 14, 2012 6:27 AM CST
Name: Jo Ann Gentle
Pittsford NY (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cat Lover Heucheras Hellebores Container Gardener
Birds Region: New York Avid Green Pages Reviewer Irises Garden Ideas: Master Level Lilies
Thanks.It rarely freezes in winter.
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May 14, 2012 9:51 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
Our little garden has a real awkward shape in a southwest angle, getting full sun only in some areas and with city tree canopy overshadowing the garden as the sun moves west as well. Being in Cali, I am counting on our dry weather's ambient heat to help in the compost heat-up as well. For sure I will need to make the compost moist from time to time. Seeing the very leafy city trees this year...lots of potential compost material Big Grin

Many thanks for all the inputs! I tip my hat to you.
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May 15, 2012 10:21 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
My hubby still assembling the composter. It looks sturdy so far..it does require 2 people to assemble this, so far here's what has been assembled last night:

Thumb of 2012-05-15/tarev/169806
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May 17, 2012 9:16 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
Finally got our composter fully assembled and in place! I have started feeding it yesterday, quite easy to tumble about, now to see how the process works! Big Grin


Thumb of 2012-05-17/tarev/67b4e6
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Mar 25, 2017 9:30 AM CST
Name: Barbalee
Amarillo, TX (Zone 6b)
I have a Yirby compost tumbler, and the compost just isn't working! I need help. It's in the sun, and it's filled with leaves and kitchen scraps as well as compost starter. I had to throw away a lot of dog kibble, so I put it in the composter. Could that be the problem? I'm going to start adding grass clippings now that we're mowing, but I'm totally unsure as to why it doesn't heat up. It sits in the sun every day. Any ideas?
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