Looking for input re: transforming crib into compost bin

By leslieinbham

Well, I know it's not the first thing you might do with a crib. Or maybe it's not the first thing you might use to make a compost bin, but I'm a semi-old hand at composting and I *think* this could work pretty well.

Took the twins' cribs down last week (utter and completely bedlamous) and I.....just...can't....seem...to...part...with....the damned things. So many possibilities. So I have this wooden spindle-type one that I think...I *think* would be a snazzy, stylish, and generally successful compost bin. I'm thinking I'd saw the legs off the head/foot board portions and leave enough to sink it into the ground. The I would just assemble it like it's supposed to be assembled for standard use. The only changes would be not using the mattress spring thing and I'd leave one of the front portions swing-able and closeable. I mean, compost happens, no matter what it's in, so this will definitely beat the 2006-7 bin of concrete blocks and the 2004-5 bin of chicken wire. Before that it was just a pile, and frankly, I'm looking to improve the aesthetics as much as the effectiveness. And I'm cheap. And stingy. Those are excellent qualities for a composter, btw. Not so much for composter's husband.

Any ideas for improvement? Any glaring or subtle flaws? This stuff all looks good in my head, but so did having kids. Learned my lesson there, for sure.

thanks,

leslie

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gardening compost

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September 17, 2007

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About: In another life I was an 8th grade English teacher in a steel mill community. ...

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leslieinbham

September 17, 2007

Yup, the thermal thing. The crib will satisfy on length and depth (with a bit of the legs left on and bottom-boarded) and is just shy enough on width to bring out my devil-may-care side. My bin is tended mostly in stolen moments (many helpful, helpful small boys) for the most part, but I also have a wormbin in the laundry room that does nicely. I have sometimes forced heat via black plastic and this stuff that Lee Valley Tools sells. Also, I'm in Alabama which is generally a panacea for thermalizing anything at all. Finally, I am often so consumed by diapers and crayon marks and "what is that in your mouth???" that by the time I get around to the pile, time has compensated for my neglect.

So here's hoping, eh?

leslie

binary_pattern

September 17, 2007

since you described yourself as "semi-old-hand" at composting, you probably already know about the "critical mass" dimensions for thermal composting -- 3 ft. wide, deep, and high. is the crib that big? of course, as you said, compost happens -- eventually -- no matter what it's in. i only bring this up because i personally was disappointed upon building my first compost bin out of stuff that was lying around (but just shy of those dimensions) that the heap failed to start steaming as predicted. i wanted those little microorganisms to churn through it faster.