We headed up to the ranch for another weekend of work. This time though, we deviated a little to completely re-structure our compost bins. What we found is that the sheer size of the bin was becoming too wide and very hard to manage. Also, I think that having the compost in the ground (roughly 8″) with no surrounding walls was not allowing the heating (thermophillic) process from really progressing as it should. Then to make things even more efficient, we wanted to add some water/pumping to allow for washing down the compost pile and the buckets we use.
Here is a rough sketchup I did before setting out on this adventure:
We arrived Friday evening and settled in for the night. Rising with the sun on Saturday we started with coffee (the usual) and clearing some trees/limbs from a common trail we started using. Great to see things come to fruition with hard work. Then it was time for breakfast before our tough day ahead.
Measured and cut all of the 2×6 and 4×4 posts to start our compost bin build. We planned to build two side by side and use one with our current pile and one future one. Here is what our old pile looked like before.
What we found right away, is that 9 2×6’s and 2 4×4 posts is pretty damn heavy to move! So, we built two sides on one and then moved it near the old pile we had going. Once it was near, we moved the half constructed bin place and finished the build process, minus the lid/roofing.
After the first was done, we started the second in it’s future home. What we did different this time was ‘not’ dig a hole in the ground. My theory, completely unproven, is that having the pile down about 8″ was causing the bottom to keep cool from day to day, prohibiting good thermophillic reaction.
This was enough for one long day, trust me. We had rain most of the night Friday, and off and on Saturday…which the clouds were a blessing with the work we had going on. We would continue on Sunday with the roofing and water setup.
Oh….right after this we had some weekend visitors….not quite hired labor, but man did they really help out.
Sunday morning, we slept in….well until like 6:30am, which is good for us. The sky was sunny and already creeping near 60. Felt so good. After our breakfast, we started up the day with me trying out my lid/roofing ideas and the girls doing all sorts of things to finish the wire mesh for the compost bins, helping me and help our camp. Big props to Sheralee and Rylee, moving a full 35 gallon water tank about 100 feet….no easy task, but job well done!!!
I got the lids assembled in place and put our clear plastic roofing on. I think it is going to work really really well.
It just looks awesome, and they are sturdy as can be. It was a wise move to add this project, it was needed for functionality, but this type of build will last us years and years!!
Next I moved to adding the 12v pump and hosing needed to give us hosed water at the bins. I used a SEAFlo 12v pump, roughly 1.2 gpm @ 35psi. I run it off a rechargable deep cycle 12v 7ah battery.
This thing runs like a champ, and just like that…running water.
Best thing to come of this…besides the obvious (pictured above)….we found a source of water in Seligman…get this…$.75 for 50 gallons of potable water. We were paying $1.25 for 5 gallons before. woohoo! We are thinking of all kinds of ways to utilize that in the future.
Now, on to a somber moment with the rainwater collection shed. The positive is that upon arrival Friday, there was clear evidence of rain dripping off the roof waiting to be captured.
The negative is that in the left picture, you can see that my back right corner 4×4 post is bowed and cracking in the middle. uuuggghhhh. Not good.
I spent some time on Sunday to brace this post, and now we have future plans to replace it, drop the back another 6″ and add 3 more posts for support.
I added 3 2×4’s to add support for that one broken leg. Another project insertion coming soon I am sure. This coming weekend is rainwater shed plumbing…time to start collecting that free water!