Anyone use this Smith & Hawken model? My homemade wooden composter is falling apart and needs to be retired…and it wasn’t very good. I can get this one pretty cheap from the County.
http://www.smithandhawken.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=prod21199&categoryId=cat120343&sku=21199
is it any good?
It is OK - typical vertical unit that if you want to be effective you need to turn the pile regularly.
If you are at all serious about backyard composting and have the space - buy or build a compost tumbler - much better - faster turnaround.
I went from pits to stacks to tumble - the latter really is the best, unless you have a huge pit that really generates some heat.
Matt,
I use a cylindrical model that is similar to that. You really have to be vigilant about turning your compost over. It does the job, but maybe a bit slowly. I don’t do a whole lot with my compost and I mostly just throw appropriate food scraps in there.
My Dad has a horizontal composter that is amazing. He just has to crank the handle one time around every other day. It compostes so much faster.
I have decided that with composting equipment, you get what you pay for.
Bernie
Anyone use this Smith & Hawken model? My homemade wooden composter is falling apart and needs to be retired…and it wasn’t very good. I can get this one pretty cheap from the County.
http://www.smithandhawken.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=prod21199&categoryId=cat120343&sku=21199
is it any good?
If you buy that plastic one your carbon footprint will go up drastically, better stick with wood.
I used four pieces of scrap pressure treated lumber and some metal corner braces to make a 4x4 square that is about 11 inches tall. Throw all your bio stuff in there with some leaves. Turn with a pitchfork every once in a while and you are good to go. If you are worried about critters get some chicken wire to put over the top.
On the big wooden box…
I actually participated in a review of composters last year…the professionals liked a big handmade box with an open top with a chickenwire lid that you could life on and off. The front side of the box lifted up and out through a rail/slot method, so the turner didn’t have to bend down and into the box. Basically, you walk up to it, lift off the chickenwire lid (with wooden frame) that was held down by a brick in the middle. After removing the lid you lifted up the front wall, and now have one whole side exposed for better pitchfork position. After a few turns with the pitchfork, the side was replaced, and then the lid placed back on top.
On the big wooden box…
I actually participated in a review of composters last year…the professionals liked a big handmade box with an open top with a chickenwire lid that you could life on and off. The front side of the box lifted up and out through a rail/slot method, so the turner didn’t have to bend down and into the box. Basically, you walk up to it, lift off the chickenwire lid (with wooden frame) that was held down by a brick in the middle. After removing the lid you lifted up the front wall, and now have one whole side exposed for better pitchfork position. After a few turns with the pitchfork, the side was replaced, and then the lid placed back on top.
As long as you leave enough room to fully turn over the compost the box design works well. If things start getting crowded I will simply dig down further. Of course, using the compost you have cultivated helps too.