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There's an older book called "Compost This Book!" by Tom Christopher and Marty Asher that I have found very helpful. It talks about the science behind composting, but also is funny and very readable. Sort of like Click and Clack on composting. I just googled it and there are lots of copies out there if you can't find it at the library.
I also don't have much "brown" to add to my compost - dead grass clippings, leaves, and such. I've always read to keep your compost mixture 50/50 of green & brown - but because I live in such a warm climate (southern NM) it breaks down quite fast. I dump greywater from my kitchen into the bin every few days, and turn over the entire pile about once a month to chop any clumps up with a shovel. If it's too wet, I rip up some brown paper bags and mix them in.
I like the Earth Machine model bin, like this:
I have the best results with this kind. I acquired a tumbler model from a friend and hated it - very difficult to turn around and a real pain shoveling the compost out - the opening was barely wide enough to get a shovel in. I've also had good results just digging a shallow pit in the ground and piling stuff in, chopping everything up with a shovel, and watering it every few days. But again, this is in a very hot climate and may not work well everywhere.
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I will make you a bag of clippings from the front when I mow next
Thanks Karla, you always come through! Soon you will have nothing left on your yard (I've been "adopting" some of Karla's extra plants ) !
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marlow
There's an older book called "Compost This Book!" by Tom Christopher and Marty Asher that I have found very helpful. It talks about the science behind composting, but also is funny and very readable. Sort of like Click and Clack on composting. I just googled it and there are lots of copies out there if you can't find it at the library.
Cool, I will check that out. We have a great used book store in town and they have lots of old out of print books...they just might have a copy there . That's an easy title to remember .
I also don't have much "brown" to add to my compost - dead grass clippings, leaves, and such. I've always read to keep your compost mixture 50/50 of green & brown - but because I live in such a warm climate (southern NM) it breaks down quite fast. I dump greywater from my kitchen into the bin every few days, and turn over the entire pile about once a month to chop any clumps up with a shovel. If it's too wet, I rip up some brown paper bags and mix them in.
I like the Earth Machine model bin, like this:...
I have the best results with this kind. I acquired a tumbler model from a friend and hated it - very difficult to turn around and a real pain shoveling the compost out - the opening was barely wide enough to get a shovel in. I've also had good results just digging a shallow pit in the ground and piling stuff in, chopping everything up with a shovel, and watering it every few days. But again, this is in a very hot climate and may not work well everywhere.
I'm in a warm climate too, so maybe I won't need much "brown" either . Between newspapers, brown paper bags and feathers, I think I'll be okay with the brown ratio.
I've looked at some similar models to yours and I'm still debating. It definitely needs to be dog-proof so the dogs aren't pulling stuff out . I figured the models that are off-ground would be out of everyone's way, but I've heard complaints about the tumbling aspect you mentioned, so I'm still looking. If I purchase a composter, it will be a birthday gift for me, so I still have time to browse .
If anyone else has compost bins they like or don't like, I'd love to hear .
Just wondering about the dye in the newspaper...safe to use for compost?
Most ink used by newspapers is soy or water based. The glossy magazines I would stay well away from. The ink can be metal based.
BTW: I think composting can actually break down many of the pesticides used in gardening today.
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. Between newspapers, brown paper bags and feathers, I think I'll be okay with the brown ratio.
. I figured the models that are off-ground would be out of everyone's way, but I've heard complaints about the tumbling aspect you mentioned, so I'm still looking. If I purchase a composter, it will be a birthday gift for me, so I still have time to browse 
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