Boston Gal's Open Wallet

Hey BG,

Massachusetts has a great program in certain towns where the state subsidizes compost bins.

http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/compgnt.htm

I recently got the earth machine (a $90 dollar thing) from Watertown DPW for $25. They didn't even confirm if I was a resident: I just called them up and told them when I was coming for it. It was in a few pieces so it fit easily in my little Scion xA.

There's not much smell or work necessary to upkeep it, just some dirt and a turn every now and then. It has a very small footprint. Overall, I'm quite happy with it.

 

Hi Shawnna,

The Earth Machine looks pretty interesting. My only fear is the urban wildlife. My neighborhood has a gang of extremely clever racoons who can break into just about anything that is outside. Trash cans have to be locked up and neighborhood compost bins regularly get breached.

Having had to clean up the debris that they bring into my yard (funny how they tend to do "takeout" and then enjoy the spoils in other yards) I know that I would not be happy to have to deal with the mess of a breached compost bin in my backyard.

But if I did not have such a tough gang of scavengers to deal with, I would definately take advantage of the DPW compost bin program. That is a great discount!

 

I would try your local hardware store for a push mower before buying one online. I don't remember mine being quite that expensive; of course, I bought it a few years ago, but I think it was only around $65, so I'd be surprised if the price has actually doubled. As for the composting, so long as you keep meat/cheese scraps out of your pile, most urban wildlife leave it alone. I've had a compost pile in my backyard for 5 years and don't really have a problem. I did throw some parts of a turkey carcass out there some years ago, and I regretted that, let me tell you, because it attracted cats for miles around.

For indoor composting, I bought a Bokashi and had some success with it. RealGoods.com has quite a few different composters to check out, although I liked the one you posted as well. I saw a composter that doubled as a big patio plant a few years back (the compost went in a little door on the side and fed the plant as it broke down) but I can't find that link anymore.:( If I do, I'll post that one as well.

 

How about vericomposting (using worms)? Some cities offer worms and bins for very little money. I bought mine before I was aware of such programs and it cost under $250 (IIRC). I bought mine from Clean Air Gardening: http://cleanairgardening.com/

 

I just bought a reel mower this year (switched from a standard gasoline push mower). So far I like it pretty well. I got mine for $70 at Menards (similar to a Home Depot or Lowes). It is significantly lighter, with less maintenance required, the only complaint I have so far is that little sticks can get caught in the Reel, and you have to stop and clear it out before proceeding. If you don't have too large of a lot and it isn't heavily wooded, I would definitely recommend a Reel mower.

 

Hi Beany,

I looked into worm composting. I really liked the idea, but it looked like I would have to house the worms inside my house - likely my kitchen. It is far too cold in Boston for them to survive the full year on my side porch or outside in my shed. Since I rent out my basement I can't house them down there. Having the bin inside my kitchen brought up the smell factor and the size factor - it has to fit in my small space. So for now, they are not on my list.

Hi Missy and James,

I will need to check my local Home Depot to see if they carry reel mowers. I am pretty sure I will get one and try it out this year. I have a small lot, so not a lot of grass. Hopefully a reel mower would be a good fit for me and my yard.

 

Perhaps part of it can be earmarked for the less fortunate.

 

I use a the Brave New Composter that shawnna gave a link for. It is hard-sided plastic and the cone covers the top. I only put green stuff in them (I have 2 - one for next year and one for this). Plenty of wildlife around and no problems.
I also used to use a Reel mower that I got from Lehman's. It worked really well until the grass got thick mid-summer.

Thanks and I read you all the time :)

 

Perhaps I should not dismiss the outdoor composter. I was hesitant to get one feeling like I might be depriving someone else of one if it turns out mine does not work. But now that I think about it, I could pick up one for $25, see how it works with the rambunctious racoons and if it does not work out, I could pass it along to someone else...

 

I have raccoons in my neighborhood and they couldn't be bothered with the compost. I guess they are too busy going after the trash. I've been composting for over ten yrs and the biggest issue has been to make sure it gets turned and gets enough water. I put in near the vegetable beds so when the compost is ready it is very easy to distribute right where I want it. If the raccoons didn't bother your unprotected vegetables last yr, chances are good they wont go after your compost. I also have used a reel mower for about 4 yrs. You need to buy the goop (that's the scientific word for it) that sharpens the blades. It's easy to do but that makes it easier to cut when the grass gets too tall.

 

It's always ironic to me to see "Green" items using electricity like the composter. Yeah, you're not using gasoline, but what do you think make's electricity? Fossil fuel.

I read an article in Sunday's paper about saving water and how you shouldn't use it to clear off debris from your drive way. It said to use a blower and electric not gas. Just because you're not using gasoline, does not mean electric's any cleaner or better. It just uses fossil fuels somewhere else.

 

I use the Biostack (http://www.greenerchoices.org/ratings.cfm?product=compostbin) that my city funded 50% of. I've not had raccoon problems but did have some cats getting into it, wrapped a couple of bungie cords to keep the top fastened down and have not had a problem since.

 

Hi BG, I've been an on & off reader for about 1.5 years now & I've always enjoyed your entries. Anyways, I too have been trying to go as green as I can & have been looking into composting for quite a while now but hadn't gotten down to it. After reading this entry & Shawna's comments, I went to my city's web site to research & what do I find? A program where they deliver a free compost bin to residents! :O

http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/pw/compost.cfm

Apparently, they've had this program for a couple of years now & I've been blissfully unaware of it.

Thank you for this post & your blog which has been such a wonderful resource & thank you to your reader Shawnna for her most useful comments!

 

I'm glad people have found my comments to be of use! Last Friday a comment I had left at Apartment Therapy was headlined as being one of the wisest post of the week! I guess I'm on a roll...

With the composter I have, it seems pretty secure.

1. There's three or four large steaks that you screw into the ground. There's pretty much no way to tip it over, and I've tried. The instructions suggest putting bricks around the base for decoration and to ward off wildlife.

2. I'm pretty confident no animal could figure out how to get the top off since I have a struggle with aligning it just right most days.

3. The only other door into the machine is on the base. This seems like the danger zone, but the manufacturers anticipated this and included a way to lock it by shoving a stick into a hole to keep it shut.

As long as you refrain from putting animal products in the compost bin, I think you'll be all set no matter your location.

 

Oh, and a composter doesn't use electricity... unless of course you're talking about the electricity used to make it.

 

Those are some healthy looking plantlings! I predict a bumper crop this year for BG! :)

All this talk of composting reminded me of an article I read in the NYT a few years ago I thought I'd mention:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/03/nyregion/03compost.html

Composting isn't just for you homeowners... apartment/condo owners can have a go too. (I've been meaning do 'indoor' composting for a while, but haven't got around to it.)

Just thought I'd mention it.

 

Hi BG,

I got my composter from the city of Quincy when I lived there for about $22. That was probably 5 or so years ago. I now live in Jamaica Plain on a tiny lot, and I've set my composter up on the side of the house. In all the time I've had it, I've never had a problem with smell or racoons (though they love my bird seed). The only animal product I put into it is egg shells. You may want to check whether there are any laws against putting in other animal products. I vaguely remember something, but it may have just been a good rule of thumb to follow.

As for reel mowers, I got mine at either HD (probably W. Roxbury) or Lowes (Dedham) 2-1/2 years ago for about $70. Mine is relatively small (width of the reel), so you may want to get a slightly larger one, but I can't imagine it would be more than $100 or so.

 

Whoops...one more thing. Boston Building Materials Coop sells two different composters: http://www.bbmc.com/bbmc/green/productsforyard.html. If you've never been there, the folks who work there are great: really nice and super knowledgable.

 

Another reel mower wannabe owner - these guys sold me on a Brill or Sunlawn, for the infrequent sharpening. And they're up in Ipswich, so you're still buying local, just online.

 

I would like to suggest tithing 10% because this money is a gift to all of us. Imagine what 10% of all our checks could do out there. I will probably get more joy from spending that part of my check than any other.