It's check-in day for Project: Spring Green!
My Project: Spring Green goal is to begin composting. Earlier I wrote that I was going with an old-fashioned, simple heap system. I do already have it set-up in a nice, out of the way location in the backyard. It's not fancy, but it's workable.
But I have to admit, I am being tempted by this tumbling composter idea. Have you seen these? Kind of a brilliant idea, but a little pricey, too, right?
A couple of days ago, my friend Angie posted some pictures on Facebook of the DIY tumbling composter her super-smart, super-innovative hubby had put together for her:
Here is what he has done:
1) He began with a 55 gallon drum that once held soy sauce. (He works in an industry that allows him access to such items.) Finding a CHEAP or FREE drum is the secret to making this composter! Check around to see what you can find. It doesn't have to be 55 gallons - adjust it according to what you can find. Check Craigslist, post in local yard sale groups on Facebook, ask restaurants what they might have. Get creative!
2) Angie's husband cut an opening from the top and used old door hinges to make the opening easy to open and close:
Door locks were used to make sure that the lid stays closed.
This is what it looks like with the lid open (and a cute two year old investigating):
3) In order to promote air flow, he cut a hole in the bottom of the barrel and inserted a 3 inch PVC pipe about two to two-and-a-half feet long that he had drilled holes into. To avoid pest infestation through the air flow opening, he covered it with some screen mesh:
4) I think this next step is just so incredibly clever! Angie wondered if there was a way to collect the compost tea (or worm tea) from the composter. Check out this solution -- her husband repurposed a little milk jug (the kind one might receive in a kids' meal from a certain kid-favorite fast-food-type place). Holes were drilled into the lid of the little milk jug, and then he cut a hole in the bottom of the barrel the size of the milk jug lid. Angie can screw the milk jug onto its lid to catch the tea! Isn't that just brilliance? I love it.
5) Finally, he constructed a stand for the composter from 2x4s and a leftover piece of cast iron plumbing pipe.
Yes, you can purchase a tumbling composter from your local home improvement store, but if you are resourceful, you can make one for much, much less money. (Or you can commission your friend's husband to make one for you! Yippee!)
Now, back to Project: Spring Green. How are you doing with meeting your goal for the month of April?
