I live on a slope and the soil erodes very easy. I have a hard time trying to keep up with the erosion so I investigated the problem and I tried putting river rocks, loose gravel and loose grass clippings from my lawn mower catch bag into the washouts throughout the yard. I realized I was fighting a lost cause. I started reading up on composting and it sure looked as if I might have a good idea come out of all this.

I had five fifty gallon drums in the out building I was saving for a special project. For the size yard I have and slope, things could get out of hand real quick as far as upkeep, so I decided to build my own compost system. I had no idea how much money it would end up saving me at the time and some times you learn things by accident. Usually those are the best ideas one can have. The composting idea not only helps in preventing erosion but it puts back nutrients into the soil at the same time.

Living on a acre of a heavily wooded sloping lot, I knew I had to try some drastic things to stop the erosion. My upper yard looked great but the lower looked ghastly, with deep cuts and ruts all the way to the road below. I figured on an average year, I was spending close to a thousand dollars trying to replenish what the rains in summer washed away. It was time to do something about the erosion problem and I needed to do something fast and inexpensive.

I took the barrels out the little out building and laid them end to end. I tacked them together with the small wire welder I had, I could have used bolts and washers to put them together but this was much faster. Before I put the ends together, I drilled a Two and a half inch hole in each end of the barrel. I bought a twenty foot piece of Galvanized pipe and I put the pipe through the two and a half inch hole till it came out the other side. I would add another barrel and finally ended up with four barrels on the pipe. Once welded together, I took a chalk line and made a line the length of the barrels.

I took my trusty saws all (reciprocating saw)and cut along the bright colored line on both sides till I had the barrels in half. This is important because it opened like a grill you cook on. I finished welding the pipe to the insides of the barrels to lock the barrels in place. I placed my hinges on the inside of the barrels to give it a better fit and I cut a fifteen foot piece of old garden hose and split the hose in half. I took the half hose and form it over the edges of the barrels I had

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Composting: A brief guide for the beginning composter ?
We want to hear your view. Write now!