toni
Mistress of Garden Junque
 Moderator
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Location: North Texas (Map)
Posts: 5550
PlantStew: 521 |
| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject: New Compost Barrel- New pictures and measurements |
|
Let the composting begin. Randy got my compost barrel made this past weekend. A couple of years ago we bought two 55 gallon food grade barrels from an all organic nursery, they use a lot of vinegar. One became the rainwater collection barrel I have been using for couple of years and am thinking about getting a couple more set up.
Now the other is for composting. Some small vents will be added this coming weekend and I will need to remember to turn it so the door is down when it rains but other than that I think it will be very usefull for me.
Last edited by toni on Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Frank
Happy Gardening
Administrator
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Location: Malmö, Sweden
Posts: 9417
PlantStew: 1581 |
| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:25 pm Post subject: |
|
That's very inventive Toni. How high is it? It's hard to tell from the photo. You should fill it up in no time. Do let us know how it goes.
_________________
PlantStew is new and needs your help, please contribute what you can. It will benefit members and visitors alike.
Thanks! 
|
|
| Back to top |
|
cajunbelle
Daylily Diva
Joined: 04 Jun 2006
Location: zone 8b Louisiana (Map)
Posts: 3042
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:27 pm Post subject: |
|
How is it set up to turn, or do you do that manually, details please, I think I can get some of these barrels. Are they plastic or metal.
_________________
Sharon
Phil. 4:13
|
|
| Back to top |
|
toni
Mistress of Garden Junque
Moderator
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Location: North Texas (Map)
Posts: 5550
PlantStew: 521 |
| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:50 pm Post subject: |
|
As it sits in the picture, the hinged bottom of the opening is 35" above ground level....or roughly waist high on me. The opening is 14" square. The barrel is sitting on four wheels, I have to roll it by hand. The barrel is plastic, I think a metal barrel would be way to heavy for easy turning and would rust contaminating the compost.
When Randy gets off work, we will take the barrel off and take more detailed pictures of the frame he built along with some measurements.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
toni
Mistress of Garden Junque
Moderator
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Location: North Texas (Map)
Posts: 5550
PlantStew: 521 |
| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:39 pm Post subject: |
|
The outside measurements of the base of the stand are 25" x 36".
The legs are 20 1/2" long and are angled in just a bit, we measured 15" from center of one board to the center of the other board to get the correct angle.
The top boards that the barrel sits on are 34" long.
The measurement across the top from outer edge to outer edge of the boards is 18"
All the boards are 2" x 4"
Randy says he didn't draw or preplan any of it, he just started measuring and cutting.
The wheels are the type you would attach to the bottom of a piece of furniture that you wanted to be able to move around.. They need to be aligned perfectly or it will cause the barrel to roll off when you turn it.
That board standing up at one end is there to keep that from happening since he figures the wheels are just a tad off.
Hope this helps and makes sense.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Location: Scotland (Map)
Posts: 11522
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:43 pm Post subject: |
|
What a great idea Toni. I've seen similar ones over here but they cost an absolute fortune.
_________________
|
|
| Back to top |
|
petunia
Highly Skillful
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 1571
PlantStew: 165 |
| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:08 am Post subject: |
|
Thanks Toni for all the info and picts. I showed my husband the idea. It'll be on that honey do list. 
_________________
Petunia
|
|
| Back to top |
|
toni
Mistress of Garden Junque
Moderator
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Location: North Texas (Map)
Posts: 5550
PlantStew: 521 |
| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:28 am Post subject: |
|
Also, Hubby just suggested I tell you that it was put together with 'deck screws' They do not rust and will last far longer than plain wood screws.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
nan1234
On The Way Up
Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Location: Chicago Area
Posts: 160
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:54 am Post subject: |
|
What a wonderful piece of invention! I wish I had saw your project several months earlier so I would have not spent money on my new compost bin.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Droopy
Slug Slaughterer
Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Location: Western Norway (Map)
Posts: 4810
PlantStew: 5804 |
| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:31 am Post subject: |
|
It seems very practical. I can't wait to hear how it's working for you.
_________________
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
-Bertrand Russell
|
|
| Back to top |
|
GardeninVanGogh
Just Arrived
Joined: 08 Nov 2007
Location: West Indies
Posts: 35
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:22 pm Post subject: |
|
Composting is the most effective way to create a soil with great texture, drainage and nutrition for plants. If every one understood the cost efficiency of this recycling method, the amount of garbage would be greatly reduced.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Palm Tree
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Location: Cape Town (Map)
Posts: 922
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:24 pm Post subject: |
|
That is so clever and to think you guys made it yourselves. 
Also the idea with the srews is smart.
The commercial ones are so expensive that i just make a heap here. But I will consider following your example if I can get someone to help me build it.
_________________
Backyard Landscape Design
Candle Making
|
|
| Back to top |
|
cajunbelle
Daylily Diva
Joined: 04 Jun 2006
Location: zone 8b Louisiana (Map)
Posts: 3042
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:44 pm Post subject: |
|
Thanks for the details Toni, now to get DH to work.
_________________
Sharon
Phil. 4:13
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Penny
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 462
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:29 pm Post subject: |
|
What a great idea!!
_________________
Gardening is good therapy 
|
|
| Back to top |
|
ANAEROBIC
Just Arrived
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Location: PANAMA CITY, FL
Posts: 9
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:46 pm Post subject: |
|
I put a 55 gallon drum on the wheels of an upsidedown wheelchair. It rolls so easy. Then I cut a 12" x 12" hole in the middle of the drum. I put hinges and a hasp on the piece I cut out to make a door for loading the leaves, kitchen scraps, etc. Next I drilled about 20 1/2" holes in the bottom and in the removable lid about 6" from the edge so the liquid won't leak out. I rotate it every day, sometimes twice a day. When it's ready to empty I just roll a wheelbarrow under the edge of the barrel, remove the lid and rake the compost in the wheelbarrow, put the lid back on, put the ring back on the lid, tighten it up and start all over again.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
You're looking at one of the many forums on GardenStew.com. Register for free to join in the discussion.
|
Bookmark us 
Subscribe
Sticky: 
