My Composting Setup

This summer I bought a used composter off Craigslist. I have never composted before, but I've learned that it's pretty fun.

I am going to start a veggie patch in the backyard in the spring, so right now I'm making compost for that.

My setup is pretty sweet. In the backyard, I have my 2 chamber composter off the side of the deck. Currently it's kind of an eyesore, but I need it in the sun to get heat. When I'm better at getting my compost hot, I'll move it to a less conspicuous spot.

My composter as seen from the side of the house. I need it in the sun for heat, but once I'm a better composter, I'll move it back into this unseen pocket of side-yard which has become my work zone.

The leaf silo is long-term storage. The leaves drop in fall, but I'll need them all year to make compost. To make a big enough container, I bought this welded wire stuff. I cut enough to make a tube of about 3.5 foot diameter with plenty of overlap to help keep the shape. I used plastic zip ties to hold it together. I cut out a little opening on the bottom so that I can grab the oldest leaves from bottom, rather than grabbing the fresh leaves from the top.

My DIY leaf silo in the back corner of the side yard. I might make another one because I already filled it up with just 5 of those brown paper yard trimming bags. 

To fill my silo, I take the paper bags of leaves that my neighbors put on the street for pickup, and I dump those bags into the top of the silo. I have permission from my neighbors to take their leaves. They always see me working in the yard, and they are happy to give me their leaves. This being Texas, I don't recommend taking random leaves from strangers. I like not having to rake my leaves, and it's good for my yard to let the leaves break down into the soil.

My first batch of compost is almost ready. I think starting during Texas summer was a nice cheat that let this batch achieve the hot temperatures needed for quick breakdown. I'm getting better at mixing the compost to the right proportions and moisture levels, so I'm looking forward to see how my pile does now that it's getting colder.

Ben