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Edging Compost bins

Posted by cautioning none (My Page) on
Sun, Apr 17, 11 at 2:33

So I jumped on some deals on craigslist today and got three compost bins, a compost tumbler, and a worm bin for $80 plus the gas to pick them up. They are all in great condition and look nice. I seem to have compost fever. I was thinking about where to put them and whatnot... My problem is edging though I already have one compost bin (one of the kind that is a sheet of thick plastic with holes that forms a ring) and I have to weed whack around it to edge it. I'm afraid that over the years I will heavily mar and scratch the plastic, and also would just like to have the lawn maintenance a little easier. I was wondering what to put down around it to make edging non existent, or any other ideas you might have. I am crazy cheap so free materials are definitely better. I am not afraid of doing a little work as long as its only once ;).


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Edging Compost bins

Hmm... I am not sure, can you maybe set some rocks or fencing around it to stop the weeds, or use weed-killer chemical in a ring around your plastic ring?

Here is a link that might be useful: some more info on composting...


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RE: Edging Compost bins

About 3 or 4 times a year I have to pull "weeds" growing around my compost bins. Not often enough, in my opinion, to warrent spending the time, energy, and money to install some kind of edging around them which may well allow "weeds" to grow anyway which would then require my removing the edging material to get to the root of the problem.


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RE: Edging Compost bins

will these be on a lawn, or what sort of area? Maybe get some cardboard sheets used to separate pallats at grocery store, place bin over that, so that the cardboard extends beyond the bin, and then sprinkle some wood chips around that on top of the cardboard. It will keep weeds down and if you move/pick up the bins for turning, these materials can stay nicely on the ground and prevent weeds. If the woodchip "moat" gets thin, add a little more. The cardboard will break down inside the bin quickly with the moisture and heat, will attract worms from below.


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RE: Edging Compost bins

this is what I do. Its a little more work, but once u establish this border. Its e z.

Here is a link that might be useful: webshot


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RE: Edging Compost bins

rfonte649 - I can't see it behind your pretty plants. I have mine in the middle of a garden bed also. I looked at your other pictures - nice - I cannot identify most of your plants from up here in zone 4 LOL! And the little helper you have checking out the soil is priceless.


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RE: Edging Compost bins

And the answer is... asphalt roofing shingles. New or used, as long as they are reasonably intact.

If they are the 3-tab type, just break them at the divisions, then overlap them into circle. Try to keep most of the tab on the outside so you have room to mow, running the wheels on the tabs.

Sue


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RE: Edging Compost bins

Some good ideas here! I am thinking that the roofing shingles would work out best for me. They are going on lawn and this just sounds long lasting and easy. I'm gonna have to price them out. My girlfriend's mom just got her roof replaced a week ago! Off went a huge pile of them to the dump.


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RE: Edging Compost bins

Check around to see if you have one of those local 'bargain builders' places around. Otherwise, call a couple of roofing contractors and see if they can help you out with new (weird leftover colors) or used ones.


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