Different types of composting machines

[StillHope]

So far I found 2 types of composting machines in the local nurseries.One-tumbler type,the other one-regular standing bin,cost twice less.
What type you use and how effective is it?
What kind of composting machines are available in Hilo/Pahoa?
Does it make sense to by one on the mainland ?
I would appreciate your input.

[Guest]

Can I ask you something?

If your being environmentally friendly... Why would you "Buy" a composting machine that is made of plastics...

When you can easily make a compost pile for free?

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The more we speak up... the more they will listen.

[hrooster]

I bought a worm composter off Amazon (benefit: allows continuous composting versus batch). It was delivered in 3 days for a shipping cost of $6.00 (love Amazon......-actual cost to ship was $36).

Only problem is Hawaii Rainbow Worms is out of worms, and Maui worms hasn't returned calls or email......

Once I find Hawaii-approved worms and get it up and running, I'll repost and let you know how it's working.....

Here's to a full belly, a heavy purse....and a light heart.

[StillHope]

Thanks,Hrooster.I'll definitely consider Amazon if I have to order on line.Can you,please give more details on your composter?
About the price:the tumbler type is about$175,the other one-$80.

[hrooster]

Hawaiirainbowworms dot com has info re: worm composting. Not sure if the forum allows me to put a link to Amazon's item page, but a search there brings up several pages of listings.

Again, you can't import worms to Hawaii, so need to find a local supply....they were available through Hawaii Rainbow when I bought the composter, but now their site says they are out of worms. She refers to Waikiki worms (they haven't replied to my inquiry after one month....)

Here's to a full belly, a heavy purse....and a light heart.

[StillHope]

Thanks,hrooster.You don't have to post a link,but the amazing thing on this forum is that it's OK to do so.

[Les C]

You can check out the Kea'au transfer station for scrap building materials at the flea market area and build your own composting bins or worm bins. I referred to the PDFs available on the Recycle Hawai'i site for some designs. I almost tried the cinder block style, until I priced them. Then I just used some fencing t-posts and vinyl coated hardware cloth for bins. I loosely wrapped them with black plastic sheeting to keep moisture and heat levels somewhat constant. You could simply make a pile on the ground, too. A bin does make a regular compost heap a bit easier to deal with than an open pile. I've seen a friend's worm bin, and it's a simple box with drain holes. It works great.

[Hotzcatz]

If you build a compost pile near enough to the ground, the worms will come. Or borrow a few worms from someone who has dirt in their yard and add them to your compost pile to start.

It doesn't take much to build a composter buying one just seems an insane waste of money but if you have too much money, then go for it. That still doesn't address the so not green concept of using plastics or materials from halfway across the planet for something that could be made of local materials without much effort at all.

Small kid time we had a composter made of a barrel from the middle of a washing machine. Wire a lid to it, turn it on it's side and roll it along to turn the compost. Those washing machine barrels also make good planters since they have loads of drainage.

I actually have a plastic composter which we bought but it was $2 at a garage sale so I don't feel too bad about the ecological repercussions of it's acquisition. At the moment, though, it has become a goose house and it seems to work better for that than composting since it is too waterproof.

[StillHope]

Thank you ,Les C.Interesting information.I wish I had your skills !)):
Hotzcatz,If I had too much money,I would be on the French Riviera forum.I see your point.But I used to try the compost pile and the night animals would dig stuff out!

P.S.Do you have a goose house for rent?

[Hotzcatz]

Ah, night animals are good at rearranging stuff, too. Some sort of animal proof containment system would be necessary, then. Perhaps a screen/wire box? Generally stuff around here gets made of whatever we have on hand or find at the transfer station. Bamboo lashed into a circle would be nice looking and bamboo can be found for free. You'd have to invest in twine, cable or rope, though.

You'd have to discuss goose house rent with Georgie & Gracie Goose, they are the current tenants. They will come out for grain or vegetable scraps, but I don't see them giving up their ex-compost unit goose house without a hissy fit. Being geese, they are very good at hissy fits.

I kinda use them as speed composters. Instead of tossing the vegetable scraps into the composter I just feed it to them and it becomes fertilizer very quickly. There is a lot less stuff to compost since they graze the grasses down. They are starting to make a dent in the guinea grass but they still have a long way to go.