Author Topic: Best composter  (Read 4964 times)

dongeorgio

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 875
  • If you have any mango that I don't...CONTACT ME!
    • zone 10
    • View Profile
Best composter
« on: February 23, 2015, 02:54:16 PM »
I am in the market for a quality composter.  Does anyone have any suggestions of something that is sturdy and can handle a large quantity?


Any guidance would be appreciated
George

Mr. Clean

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1186
  • FLMangos.com
    • US, FL, West Palm Beach, Zone 10a
    • View Profile
    • Florida's Finest Mangos
Re: Best composter
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2015, 03:07:54 PM »
This may give you an idea for volume; you won't need one this big though.  I suspect having multiple bins will be part of your solution for volume.

http://www.swa.org/site/information_and_documents/compost_content.htm

www.FLMangos.com

110+ fruit trees/plants; 60+ mango trees; 9 jackfruit; 6 avocado; 3 persimmon; longan; and a dog that keeps raccoons and squirrels away.

RodneyS

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 756
  • Cerritos, CA (Zone 11a)
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2015, 03:24:28 PM »
I've been interested in the Joraform tumbling composter
http://www.boogiebrew.net/gyg/

stormin

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 109
    • USA, St Cloud FL, 9b
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2015, 04:41:11 PM »
I've been interested in the Joraform tumbling composter
http://www.boogiebrew.net/gyg/

I saw that composter too on John Kohler's youtube video. Looks well built and insulated, also expensive. :(

gunnar429

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3320
  • Nothing like fruit from your own yard!
    • West Park, FL 33023, Zone 10b
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2015, 05:07:02 PM »
The growing your greens guy on youtube has done several reviews of different composters.  It may be helpful searching youtube for some.
~Jeff

"Say you just can't live that negative way, if you know what I mean. Make way for the positive day." - Positive Vibration

ricshaw

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1599
    • USA, Southern California, Zone 10b
    • View Profile
    • ricshaw805 YouTube Channel
Re: Best composter
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2015, 06:41:52 PM »
I think a good chipper/shredder/mulcher will make any composter work good.

dongeorgio

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 875
  • If you have any mango that I don't...CONTACT ME!
    • zone 10
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2015, 07:02:32 PM »
I was debating this one


http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B009378AG2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2QQFFX1EWC4Z2&coliid=I3FN10A52EZXC1&psc=1




The reviews were quite good but I wanted to see if anyone had one that they loved and recommended.  At that price it is hard to not give it a whirl. 
George

stormin

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 109
    • USA, St Cloud FL, 9b
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2015, 07:08:34 PM »
I was debating this one


http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B009378AG2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2QQFFX1EWC4Z2&coliid=I3FN10A52EZXC1&psc=1

The reviews were quite good but I wanted to see if anyone had one that they loved and recommended.  At that price it is hard to not give it a whirl.

You can also purchase it at Home Depot. I was looking at the same one, lol. But I don't think I generate much yard waste yet to justify purchasing it.

Cookie Monster

  • Broward, FL Zone 10b
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4745
  • Eye like mangoes
    • Tamarac, FL, 33321, 10B
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2015, 12:26:46 AM »
A pile in the corner of the yard works well.
Jeff  :-)

goosteen

  • Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 152
    • Los Angeles CA, 10a
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2015, 01:06:05 AM »
I've got the juroform, and a cheaper one I got before it.  I don't use the cheaper one any more.  the Juro is awesome.... However it still takes longer to than the 3 weeks it claims to make compost.    For mixing, so far I've found 30 gallons fruit and vegetable scraps to 30 gallons wood chips from my wood lathe to work best.  The last batch stayed hot for 10 days before I turned it!
« Last Edit: February 24, 2015, 01:08:44 AM by goosteen »

Samu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 722
    • North Tustin, So. California, Zone 10A
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2015, 01:24:34 AM »
I was thinking of keeping it simple and practical, like this lady I found in Youtube: http://youtu.be/NlmI80qzRlk
I had a 2 "garbage cans system" before, they worked also, but this is even better, I think.
Sam

Das Bhut

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 330
    • Davie
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #11 on: February 24, 2015, 04:55:00 AM »
Throw your compost into 5 gallon buckets full of worms off amazon and you'll have faster compost. Buckets are $2 worms are $15 but multiply fast

From the sea

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 690
    • Big Island Hawaii
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #12 on: February 24, 2015, 07:43:04 AM »
I use 4 trash cans with drain holes in them

bsbullie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9621
    • USA, Boynton Beach, FL 33472, Zone 10a
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2015, 07:46:11 AM »
A pile in the corner of the yard works well.

Exactly! !  You could even invite Sheehan over to turn it for you...
- Rob

dongeorgio

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 875
  • If you have any mango that I don't...CONTACT ME!
    • zone 10
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #14 on: February 24, 2015, 08:29:52 AM »
As appealing as a rotting pile of garbage in the corner of my yard is,  I think I am just going to buy compost as needed.   
George

Cookie Monster

  • Broward, FL Zone 10b
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4745
  • Eye like mangoes
    • Tamarac, FL, 33321, 10B
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #15 on: February 24, 2015, 10:56:32 AM »
HAHAHAHAH If the problem you're trying to solve is sourcing compost (vs "what do I do with all my kitchen scraps"), you may consider tree trimmer mulch. To really make a difference in the soil, you need more than a composter can crank out.

You could also go with horse bedding. Lots of adverts on craigs list.

Black Kow is great.

The Home Cheapo $1.25 bags of compost tend to be of questionable quality.
Jeff  :-)

bsbullie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9621
    • USA, Boynton Beach, FL 33472, Zone 10a
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #16 on: February 24, 2015, 11:17:29 AM »
HAHAHAHAH If the problem you're trying to solve is sourcing compost (vs "what do I do with all my kitchen scraps"), you may consider tree trimmer mulch. To really make a difference in the soil, you need more than a composter can crank out.

You could also go with horse bedding. Lots of adverts on craigs list.

Black Kow is great.

The Home Cheapo $1.25 bags of compost tend to be of questionable quality.

I know horse bedding is good but word of caution, it attracts a lot of flies. 
- Rob

Bush2Beach

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2141
    • Santa Cruz, California Sunset Zone 17
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #17 on: February 24, 2015, 12:55:54 PM »
As appealing as a rotting pile of garbage in the corner of my yard is,  I think I am just going to buy compost as needed.

That's one way to look at it. It doesn't have to be nasty and your turning your waste into good food for your plants. The plastic composters are easy to overload and plastic can break down outdoors, they can also be expensive. If you have access to high quality compost for sale that could be a better option.
For anyone that has more than 10 tree's and can use a fair amount of compost I recomend using 3 pallets to build an enclosure with a sheet of ply or another pallet to cover the top and 1 in front to slide up to turn and access the compost. You can link these side by side or have them seasonally in different parts of the yard. Fresh prunings, brown cardboard, wood ash , can be added and you have an excellent soil amendment and top dress that tree's love.

Bob407

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 608
    • Isla de Bieke, PR 12b
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2015, 03:22:57 PM »
A properly maintained compost pile doesn't smell, attract flies or vermin. Also a pile breaks down quickly in a sub tropical or tropical environment when tended correctly.
Life is good

TheDom

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 503
    • Fort Myers, FL
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #19 on: February 24, 2015, 07:39:26 PM »
This is the best composter:


You can fit them in a small space, no smell, and excellent quality compost.
Dom

RodneyS

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 756
  • Cerritos, CA (Zone 11a)
    • View Profile
Re: Best composter
« Reply #20 on: February 24, 2015, 08:42:13 PM »
Bad odor is because of too much nitrogen & not enough carbon