I know many of you are in the midst of recovering from a monster snowstorm this past weekend and I hope you and your loved ones are all warm and safe!
I've been involved in a no-spend month since the beginning of January and now that it's coming to an end soon I am doing some research on purchasing a composter for my new house.
I had a composter in my marital home but unfortunately it didn't make the move with me. I did use it regularly and liked it very much but I'm interested in what else may be out there now, so many years later.
 |
| Mantis ComposT-Twin dual-chamber compost |
This is the unit I had previously, although an older model. I love the fact that it has 2 chambers so you are 'cooking' one side while you are using from the other side.
The drawbacks are that it was HEAVY and bulky. It was even quite heavy to turn the crank. The metal buckled on me one year, I can't recall why. And it was such a challenge to put this thing together - never mind lifting it onto the frame! Oh and one more thing? It's expensive! I don't recall what I paid for it way back when but it's significantly more now.
So, I'm in the market for a composter.
I do not want a stationary composter. I'm not going to be out there with a pitchfork turning compost.
 |
| Lifetime Dual 50 Gallon Composter |
I need something that spins or tumbles.
 |
| Yimby Tumbler Composter |
I want two chambers.
 |
| Good Ideas CW-2X Compost Wizard Dueling Tumbler |
And preferably not as heavy, bulky, or expensive as the Mantis.
 |
| Dual Batch Compost Tumbler 100% Recycled Plastic Outdoor Compost Bin |
Any ideas? Any of you gardeners out there have a composter that you absolutely love??
Right now I'm saving all my kitchen scraps and dumping everything into a big pile at the edge of the woods. Which scares me as it will surely draw in the wildlife.
And if you recall, I don't need any help drawing in the bears!
Although winter is not the best time to start composting I want to dump all the kitchen scraps in a more secure location. So I'm going to bite the bullet and get a composter here asap.
Help?
This topic is out of my league! I know nothing about composters.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Ah but you know plenty about gardening! :)
DeleteWe do have a standing composter in our backyard, but that's the hubby's "toy". I couldn't tell you much about it except that he does have to use a pitchfork in it, but it's minimal. He rarely touches it. He just mostly leaves it alone and let's it do it's own thing. It's also just one big space - not two chambers. Good luck on choosing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melanie! How often does your hubby get finished compost out of his?
DeleteWe do have a standing composter in our backyard, but that's the hubby's "toy". I couldn't tell you much about it except that he does have to use a pitchfork in it, but it's minimal. He rarely touches it. He just mostly leaves it alone and let's it do it's own thing. It's also just one big space - not two chambers. Good luck on choosing!
ReplyDeleteI use a pitchfork, lol...and my compost is now in the grandkids turtle sandbox. They lost interest in playing in the sand since they are getting bigger, or they'd only play in it once or twice so I decided to use the turtle for compost. I fill a tupperware thing on my back porch with peels, egg shells, etc and when it is full into the turtle it goes with leaves, grass clippings and what have you. I did that all spring, summer and fall and come spring that will go into the garden and I'll start again.
ReplyDeleteMy kids used to have that turtle!! Great idea to re-purpose it, Deb!
DeleteI use a pitchfork, lol...and my compost is now in the grandkids turtle sandbox. They lost interest in playing in the sand since they are getting bigger, or they'd only play in it once or twice so I decided to use the turtle for compost. I fill a tupperware thing on my back porch with peels, egg shells, etc and when it is full into the turtle it goes with leaves, grass clippings and what have you. I did that all spring, summer and fall and come spring that will go into the garden and I'll start again.
ReplyDeleteWe have a stationary composter... one chamber... and Hubby turns it with a pitchfork. As for an indoor composting container, we purchased a hammered brass looking one at Plow and Hearth. They have quite a nice selection if anyone is interested. xo. Sorry I don't have some neat info for you on the outdoor composter.
ReplyDeleteI used to have that same hammered copper one from Plow & Hearth when I was married! I guess I left that behind, too!! The red one I have now I got on Amazon - I love that it has a filter in the lid - I don't smell anything at all from it.
DeleteI designed the compost bins and hubs built them. We have tried the tumblers in the past with no real success. The method we are using now seems to be the best for us. The chickens contribute their part...ha! Pinterest is full of compost posts...say that fast three times...
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out Pinterest, Donna, thanks!
DeleteGood afternoon. Well, I have to tell you that I'm not sure I know anyone who likes those container tumbler composters. One of the permaculture guys I talk to say they don't really compost, but instead more like ferment and mold inside those things. But, if you really liked yours in the past, I say go for it! To each his (or her) own. Good luck picking one out, however, because it looks like there are lots of them to choose from! I will be interested to see which one you end up with.
ReplyDeleteMe, too!! I never had a problem with molding or fermenting, probably because we had so many leaves in there as well as kitchen scraps. I will have to do a little more research and read up on the reviews before I make a decision.
DeleteI've never had a composter before, but I have had compost piles, and we live in bear/deer/moose/elk country, and never had a problem with them. I find that if I keep them covered with a fresh layer of bagged leaves (I pick them up in the fall and use them through the year) that there is no smell, and no problem with the animals. I can't offer you any advice about the turning composters as I've never had one, but I will be interested to see what you decide to do!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! That's a great tip - thanks for sharing it!
DeleteI've done some composting in the past but on a very small scale. Wish I had some wisdom to share, but I don't. I love to do some small scale gardening but not sure how it's gonna happen at our new pkace. My yard is heavily shaded and there may be some HOA rules, but I've been trying to figure it all out. I'm really wanting a small garden spot.
ReplyDeleteYou can always do a container garden - I had container gardens in both my rentals prior to buying my new house. It helped me so much to be able to "garden" even when I didn't have a garden of my own!
DeleteSo happy to have found your blog! :) We have had the Envirocycle on our rooftop in NYC for a few years and it does a great job, surprisingly holds quite a bunch. I can't express how well it's done breaking everything down and supplying our vegetables with the best soil! For the land upstate we're going to build one inside our garden area, hopefully we'll have it up by Summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pamela - I'm not familiar with the Envirocycle and I had to look it up - it looks great - I guess I could get two, this way there is always one "cooking" while the other is being used. Hmmmm.....I'll have to give it some thought!! Thanks for your input - I look forward to seeing more of your blog! I added you to my sidebar to keep me updated as you post.
Delete