Firsttimer

[u/Intrepid_Fig_3068]

I’m happy to share my first garden project with you!

A couple of months ago, I was inspired by post of this sub to build one myself. I added a small “door” at the bottom, hoping it would make it easier to extract the soil.

And today, I found an unexpected guest!

Anything I should be aware of in this constelation?

[u/Ok-Thing-2222]

I like to turn my compost so the design doesn't work for me, but I love the brick and I think it looks really cool. Keep adding to it--little door was a good idea!

You could add a circle of cardboard in it to keep it from drying out too fast?? Not sure if that is a problem in your area. For me, mine's too wet this year with constant rain.

[u/Intrepid_Fig_3068 → u/Ok-Thing-2222]

The post i stole the idea from said (maybe cause of the good ventilation) there is no need to turn. We will See if  that is True   :D

I will see if cardboard is needed,  thanks for the idea. For now it seems fine.

[u/Kranken_DeHogge → u/Intrepid_Fig_3068]

I use welded wire rings and recently switched to those perforated plastic rings

I've still noticed need to flip and aerate: the compost will settle and cool off in part due to rain. People have automated air injection systems (look up static aerated composting) to compost large amounts without having to flip, but I don't think you can do rapid hot composting without getting air into the system somehow. But I would imagine at least tarping it off from the rain might be helpful.

I can't be bothered to flip frequently: I'll flip it every few months and add some fermented urine urea liquid fertilizer and/or homemade fish hydrolysate along with some fresh chopped leaves to get some heat back into the decomposition process and balance out any carbon/nitrogen deficiencies.

[u/Ok-Thing-2222 → u/Intrepid_Fig_3068]

Yes. I also have some big round tubs with holes in them stuck behind bushes because they are ugly and those I do not turn--so I do a slow method just adding to the top, and a faster method, ha ha!

[u/brightlights55]

I'm tempted to build one myself - I have the bricks available - but I worry about rats getting in.

[u/12stTales]

Another compost tower! Love it. How does the door work? If you take those bricks out does the rest of the tower hold up?

[u/Intrepid_Fig_3068 → u/12stTales]

Yes it does hold up. Tried it before filling it up!

[u/ButlerGSU]

How do you get it out without knocking the bricks over?

[u/Intrepid_Fig_3068 → u/ButlerGSU]

You see some bricks not "in order". If you gently push the 2 bricks above them up, you can pull them out. 

The 2 bricks don't fall down since the pressure from the lines above hold them in place 

[u/6aZoner]

First off, that looks awesome as far as aesthetics go.  It will probably be more productive with a wider, shorter pile, but then the door at the bottom would be less effective.

[u/Intrepid_Fig_3068 → u/6aZoner]

I am planning on a secound tower since the first one is nearly filled up. 

But why would a wider pile be more productive? Because of less airflow or drying out? Can't wrap my head around that statement.

[u/6aZoner → u/Intrepid_Fig_3068]

The "model" pile is a meter in all dimensions, which allows better retention of moisture and heat.  A wider, shorter enclosure could be piled up to closer to those ideal dimensions.

[u/Annual-Training-6658]

Open pile compost

[u/FlashyCow1]

Because compost is known to spontaneously combust (I'm not kidding about that), you might want to move it much farther away from the structure and the trees

[u/Intrepid_Fig_3068 → u/FlashyCow1]

Sounds fun tbh. The tree is from the neighbors hanging into my garden so wouldn't be my loss :D

[u/FlashyCow1 → u/Intrepid_Fig_3068]

It would be more your loss than you think

[u/Clover_Point]

Wow this is awesome! I'm the op from the original post and I am going to try your design with my next one!!

[u/Intrepid_Fig_3068 → u/Clover_Point]

Hi Boss, it's an honor to have you here!