I am looking to either build or buy a composter? Does anyone have any suggestions or experiences that they wish to share?

Make it yourself. It is all about the temperature and moisture content and turning. Due the the wild life indigenous to the mid-west I'd stick to organic material and be very selective about what if any kitchen food waste goes into the composter. Get on to it and start making your own black gold.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
I am looking to either build or buy a composter? Does anyone have any suggestions or experiences that they wish to share?

Yeah, just make yer own...either go all out and build a wood one like this:

wood bin

I've seen this one at the wildlife center down there by COD...

or do what I did, buy 8 metal stakes, put them in a 2 x 4 grid, wrap plastic fencing around it, making a door in the middle. I keep the old compost on the right, new stuff on the left and use the middle for turning the pile over...ACE has some bacteria you can buy and sprinkle on top to help it get started....

Fan , I just move the outhouse once a year and use that spot. I know you have the big 2 and a half Deluxe model but with some help I'm sure we could move it to the other side of the yard. What are neighbors for ? HTH.

Had a composter when I was in Lombard. Biggest pain in the arse going. Since you waste your time mowing your lawn, you will be wasting double your time dealing with a composter.

Why the need to compost? Sounds like a wife suggestion to me....

No, my suggestion. I am the gardener in the family. Except for my mother-in-law who is easily the best gardener in Glen Ellyn...easily!

I will agree, nothing better than a fine garden that provides fresh veggies. I used to love my father in law for that. The guy was a master gardener. Me, I have someone come and cut the lawn.....You see why I don't garden...

Last year, my first year manning a garden, I produced a huge tomato, celery, green bean, onion, green pepper, purple pepper and cucumber yeild. This year I am going to add some sweet corn and watermelon to the mix. It should be interesting.

It should be interesting, indeed. Will be even more so when you drop the surplus off at my house.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
Last year, my first year manning a garden, I produced a huge tomato, celery, green bean, onion, green pepper, purple pepper and cucumber yeild. This year I am going to add some sweet corn and watermelon to the mix. It should be interesting.

Have you posted your Help Wanted sign for the new FAN FARM LLC. planting season at the Starbucks yet ?

Once you've completed the composter, let me know. I have a lot of hostas that need a new home.

quote:

Originally posted by Arten:
Have you posted your Help Wanted sign for the new FAN FARM LLC. planting season at the Starbucks yet ?

I am waiting for migrant worker season. Unless that season has already started and the migrant workers are at Starbucks.

Would you please inform us on the migrant worker situation in your daily Starbucks report. Gracias Senor Fan.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
Last year, my first year manning a garden, I produced a huge tomato, celery, green bean, onion, green pepper, purple pepper and cucumber yeild. This year I am going to add some sweet corn and watermelon to the mix. It should be interesting.

Fan, if you are doing it for fun, great, but if you want it for produce, skip the sweet corn...it's more trouble than it is worth...takes up a lot of space and fertilizer for only 2 ears per plant...one time...

I do tomatoes, cucumbers, jalapenos, green peppers, squash, zucchini....plus 2 volunteer cantelopes came up from being in my compost pile...

Sweet corn can be had at The Farm on St. Charles and Gary.

I tell you what, Fan...I'll supply you with corn this summer...you get me the tomatoes and everything else. Deal?

Deal!

And I only do it for the fun....

That is, unless I can get my migrant workers to start taking this job seriously.

If I may...I'd like you to about contract growing some micro greens and some heirloom tomatoes. These would be for me only...and you'd be paid. I'll get you the list of varieties I'll need in the next week or two.

Sometimes it sucks having a 50 x 113 lot that is canopied by trees.

Yes, we can TALK about growing these varieties and the rates. However, I can't guarantee that they would only be "for you" you greedy son of bitch.

Contract growing....I pay you, you grow it, I get it. You took contract law...WTF DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND???

I am an honest man, I just thought that you would like to know that I plan on eating many of the contract tomatoes. As such, I will demand contract language that permits me to eat at will.