Comments on: How to make your own composter for cheap

By: EllieD

EllieD — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:09:11 +0000

I don’t have an ice bucket that I can use for this purpose, but I do use an aluminum bowl lined with a plastic bag from the produce section of the grocery store. The bag can be closed enough that the scraps can be accumulated until it’s time to put them in the compost. Since the bags can be recycled, I’m reducing/reusing/recycling in addition to adding to my garden. A win-win situation all the way around! BTW ~ Fish bones can also be put in the compost, but no other meat products/waste.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:10:28 +0000

I found that using an old ice bucket, with lid, is a great way to collect veggie scraps in the kitchen. No smell, it is insulated, pretty good size. Once it is full I carry it out to the compost pile to empty and then just rinse it out with the garden hose. If I had to go out to the compost pile everytime I hadveggie scraps I wouldn’t do it, but this makes it easy.

By: Ron

Ron — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:16:39 +0000

I have a professional bin like the one in your opening picture. DWP sells them for $20 (not $200 to $400!!!) at Griffith park 4th Saturday of the month. I put a sheet of quarter inch hardware cloth (a wire mesh) under it. Cost of the mesh was about $1.50 at OSH. The animals can’t get in, but the earthworms and insects can. They help in the composting process. My bin and mesh system is 10 years old and still working well!

By: Pam

Pam — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:15:32 +0000

If portability isn’t an issue, and you have the space a really INEXPENSIVE way to compost is to dig a large hole or trench and throw your GARDEN clippings into it. I don’t know that I would put kitchen scraps as this method probably won’t deter rodants. We do this at our community garden as we have so much after awhile it just isn’t effective to have multiple composters. Takes a little longer for larger clippings, but you get great dirt out of it!

By: bargainbabe

bargainbabe — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:37:38 +0000

@EllieD and DeniseinArk Glad you can use my idea. I, too, like the lightweight containers.

By: DeniseinArk

DeniseinArk — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:08:11 +0000

This is a most excellent suggestion. We live in an RV about half the time, as my dh is a travel nurse. I generally haul a bunch of plants and gardening supplies around with. A long-timer in the RV park where we were last year had a compost bin, and I saved scraps in a little bucket and donated them. But since then I feel continuously guilty throwing them out. Now I don’t have to!

By: EllieD

EllieD — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:13:57 +0000

Fabulous idea! Now I know what to do with those empty laundry soap containers from Costco, besides collecting water in the shower (while it’s warming up). Biggest plus for me is the lighter weight, ease of using, and the fact that I can even have 2 going at the same time in different areas of my garden. Since I rarely use my garbage disposal, and collect scraps from meal prep and leavings, I should be able to build up my compost supply in short time. Thanks for the great suggestions!

By: Jenni Porter

Jenni Porter — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:22:04 +0000

LOVE the composter idea! I’m going to try it… I don’t “do” drills, though, so I’m going to take a large nail with hammer to make the holes… will get out my aggressions just fine, I’m sure.

By: julie g.

julie g. — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:30:37 +0000

The City of LA runs great free composting workshops at a site in Griffith Park, and also sells very-low-cost composters. The info is here: http://www.ci.la.ca.us/san/solid_resources/recycling/composting/index.htm