composter recommendations?

Is anyone using a composter? I dont think we need a big one. The canadian tire one is 11 Cu ft but that may be a bit big ($55 - $20 coupon = $35).

Can anyone recommend any other ones?

Thanks

If money is not an issue the rolling composter at Lee Valley is wonderful...it is far better than a standard composter (I have both). I am looking forward to buying another one next spring to have two....

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page...t=2,33140&ap=1

thanks for the suggestion...but yeah $150 is a bit steep for me

Originally Posted by nalababe

If money is not an issue the rolling composter at Lee Valley is wonderful...it is far better than a standard composter (I have both). I am looking forward to buying another one next spring to have two....

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page...t=2,33140&ap=1

I realize it is more than you want to spend but for the benefit of other that might read this thread I add another vote for the rolling composter from Lee Valley - expensive but very effective.

As nalababe points out though, the ideal set up would be to have two side by side. When you are always adding new material, it means it hard to ever get the chance to get compost out. It would be better if you could fill one and let it compost as you fill the other and repeat....

D!

Originally Posted by x21hx

Is anyone using a composter? I dont think we need a big one. The canadian tire one is 11 Cu ft but that may be a bit big ($55 - $20 coupon = $35).

Can anyone recommend any other ones?

Thanks

Buy it from your city, that should be cheaper.

Originally Posted by gman

Buy it from your city, that should be cheaper.

I didn't know that was possible..thanks..i'll look into it

Originally Posted by x21hx

I didn't know that was possible..thanks..i'll look into it

I don't know where you live but Town of Markham sells that.

While I still think the rolling is much better (think of the money you will save not having to buy as much liquid fertilizer--as you can make gallons of compost tea), you can normally buy a regular composter during the environment days here in Toronto....

If you have a circular saw and hammer you can build your own "composter" (which is essentially just a vertical box to throw stuff in that has space for air to get in and optionally has a hatch at the bottom to open to get dirt out) of any size you want using $20 of scrap lumber from the nearest home improvement store. And it will work better than any plastic one you buy because it will be more permeable to air so the waste will decompose much faster.

Just build a box the size you want out of lumber. If the lumber is not pressure treated then stain it so it doesn't rot. Use a piano hinge and bolt lock to attach a hatch in the bottom half so you can scoop out the dirt as it becomes ready.

A rolling one is of limited usefulness from my experience, once your composter is to the stage where it is "ready" to use it is too heavy to roll around.

Originally Posted by brunes

If you have a circular saw and hammer you can build your own "composter" (which is essentially just a vertical box to throw stuff in that has space for air to get in and optionally has a hatch at the bottom to open to get dirt out) of any size you want using $20 of scrap lumber from the nearest home improvement store. And it will work better than any plastic one you buy because it will be more permeable to air so the waste will decompose much faster.

Just build a box the size you want out of lumber. If the lumber is not pressure treated then stain it so it doesn't rot. Use a piano hinge and bolt lock to attach a hatch in the bottom half so you can scoop out the dirt as it becomes ready.

A rolling one is of limited usefulness from my experience, once your composter is to the stage where it is "ready" to use it is too heavy to roll around.

No...the rolling one is not difficult....rolling is quite easy...even when full...that is why they have rollers....

As for the wood, sure not a bad idea, but it is not any more effective than the plastic...in fact, it is less effective. Since most people do not mix their compost with the correct nitrogen/carbon levels, they do not get active composting....a plastic bin will add ambient heat at a level far greater than the wood box. This will aid the breakdown....as for air/permeability, that is not relevant and this only adds oxygen to the outside of the pile....and that is not where you need the oxygen.

As for cost, I believe that during the environment days, you can get a composter for 20 or 30 dollars.

Originally Posted by nalababe

As for cost, I believe that during the environment days, you can get a composter for 20 or 30 dollars.

Thanks for the tip! Although I've never heard of env. days? When do those come about?

In Toronto they are in the spring....just in time for you to also pick up a few bags (or garbage pails) or compost....

I live in Toronto and I have frequented the Leaside and East York days.