I have to admit, I like the idea of starting a compost heap and learning
the whole gardening thing. Problem is, I keep hearing about how to actually
feed and turn a compost heap, but not how to physically build the thing.
Where do I get supplies? How do you keep the wood from rotting? How do
you insure that enough air gets in? Help, anyone?

6 responses total.

To be honest with you, it can be a simple pile in the backyard.  No walls
or anything.  My dad use to build them that way.  You should also be able
to find book on the subject at the library or a good book store. 

  We have used an old garbage can.  That's not very big, but we don't
compost *everything* -- Dave never wants to put in many grass clippings, 
because of some trouble his parents once had with neighbors over smells.
I have demonstrated to him that *covered* clippings don't perfume the
neighborhood (whether covered with a lid or with other compostables)
so we leaven the kitchen detritus with a bag or so of grass at each mowing,
and put in weeds &c if there's just a handful.  Any time we have a trash
can full of new stuff, we let the city of Milan compost it for us.

I dug a big hole in the backyard and dumped all the fallen leaves
into it each year.  I used to sprinkle this stuff on it before I
covered it over with dirt -- some sort of commercial compost starter
that you can buy in most garden supply places.  That was back-breaking
work and not very practical.  If I every start it up again, I'll
build an above-ground bin.  The idea is to take the compost from
the bottom of the pile when you go to use it.  Re the smell:  Unless
you're composting manure or garbage or animal matter of some kind,
compost heaps smell quite good, in my opinion.  The only complaint
I ever got from a neighbor was when I was first digging the pit.
The woman next door stuck her head out the window and shouted,
"Whatever you're doing, it's illegal!"

Doesn't the rubbermaid company make some type of compost
container which is supposed to keep the smells in?

We built a compost bin from old pallets several businesses are placing
out along Industrial Hwy.  So what if they rott after a few years?
They are bing recycled and they are free for the taking.

To start with -=- a mulching mower is very practical...
...(wish my folks owned one!)
         -P  051194.0526.wed Binghamton,NY EST

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