Has Anyone Bought a Compost Bin? Need Advice.

C.,
I have two compost bins, both bought at a county or city sponsored program. Check with your county/city and see if there is any such program. I've had mine for years and they work great when one follows the guidelines on how to compost. It is a bit of a commitment and work. Mine both sit on the ground with a sliding panel to get the compost out. You need to make sure you soak it with water often enough for the composting to work. Keeping it "watered" seems the most challenging for me because it is a long way from where our hose is. It is great to have the compost.

V.

I don't have experience with this, but if you live near St. Paul, MN, check out the Living Green Expo. It's sometime this spring, at the State Fairgrounds. I've gone to it in the past, and they had a ton of info on composting. You could very likely see several different kinds in person, and probably even buy one that day.

Yes, they look like cheap plastic, but they hold up and get the job done. We have a standing composter with the door at the bottom to remove the finished compost. Spring for the "rodent screen" or, of you're handy, build one yourself - it's worth *not* finding the occasional decomposed mouse as you're spreading compost. Another hint: go to Target and buy a medium-sized ceramic crock w/lid (I think they're intended to be used for flour/sugar or cookie jars or whatever.) Keep it on your counter next to your sink to store compostables for a day or two - it beats making a trip to the composter every time you make food. And no need to spend the extra money on a crock especially made for compost or with a built-in deoderizer - the ceramic washes clean every time, and as long as you keep the lid on, there's no odor. Do be prepared for the occasional fruit fly, though, particularly as the weather is warming up. We love our composter - we've cut our garbage output by at least 1/3, and it does wonders for your garden. Good luck!

I am a lazy composter and rarely turn my compost so it takes longer. I have 2 black plastic bins from our county recycling program (definitely recommend). One is "active" meaning we add the scraps to it (I dump in my food scraps and then scoop compost from one of the open air bins over the fresh scraps). The second bin is resting until the compost is complete and I can haul it to my garden. Then I have 5 homemade bins which I just made out of metal fencing material that I bent into circular bins. These are what I use for leaves and grass clippings. When I want to turn or use the compost I pull off the wire, move it over a few feet and then shovel the compost back in or into a wheelbarrow for garden use.

To collect the scraps in the house I just use a large (3 quart) plastic container with a sealing lid and I line it with a compostable Bio-Bag.

We have a compost tumbler, instead of turning the compost with a heavy pitchfork and heavy compost you turn the tumbler. I bought ours online several years ago, I don't remember what company. I just googled compost tumbler and found the following which is very similar to ours
http://www.organic-compost-tumbler.com/
Happy composting!!

Most of the commercial compost bins are made from recycled plastics and are very sturdy - almost indestructible. Look for this product (recycled plastic) and you will have what you want. I recommend a bin that sits on the ground rather than one that you crank to turn. This one can be moved more easily around your gardens.

Your city recycling program often has bins available at a fraction of the price. Call your city office and ask.

I have been composting for 25 years but my bins are built out of wood and cannot move. What I like about the wood bins is that they are attractive and hold a lot of waste. I don't, however, have the tendency to use the compost much since I am small and getting the material out of the bin is a challenge for me.

I hope this helps. Composting is great!