Friday, April 22, 2011

Happy Earth Day

Every year for Earth Day, I like to set a couple resolutions for myself. Things that I'd like to accomplish to make my foot print a little smaller and keep the world a little cleaner. It's not a lot to ask right?


So this year, I finally got something I've been wanting to do for several years... I got a compost bin!



04-21-compost


Built by our very own Handyman Tanner. I've learned, that if I want something done, I just make a point of telling Tanner and it'll be done asap.


*excellent* *tents fingers*
JK TANNER! (dammit he's on to me).


So anyway, we have a huge pile of 2x6's that were free. I like the word "free". You know me, my budget is usually around like 75 cents on most projects.


Tanner gathered all the materials, and as usual, we argued about the design - this time I won. It was built in four pieces. Quite simple (well, for someone who didn't do any of the work). It's just screwed together with gaps to allow for air flow.


Tanner made it 7.5 feet long, because that's how long the boards were :) The sides are approximately 4'x4' and the front panel is about 2 feet high. It's held on to the front with hasp hinges and carabiners so that it can easily lay down to empty. The separation was a random piece of plywood from the shed.


Tanner built each panel near the chicken coop, and then we carried them out to the edge of the property (that way if critters show up, they're out there, and also if it stinks it's quite a ways from the house).



Total cost?


$0.00 - Wood
$5.00 - hasps
$2.00 - 2 carabiners
$1.00 - Screws (approx)


$8.00 - total


I know you normally wouldn't build a compost bin out of this type of wood (you really should use cedar) but it was FREEE.... Love me some free. Eventually it will compost itself, but in the meantime (years), I'll use what I have for free, and replace with something else down the road.


If you'd like to try to build your own compost bin, here's a good tutorial.


Now, who's coming over for a coop cleaning party? I'M BUYING BEER!



Anyone?



hello?

7 comments:

M!ssPr!ssy said...

Tanner is an amazing boy. I've never seen anything like it? You are very blessed with him. He is rare.

Mz-Cellaneous said...

Miss Prissy..
I KNOW!
It's like a genetic defect that worked in my favor (finally). (That 7-toed thing isn't working so well for me.)

JK!

M!ssPr!ssy said...

He's so talented at such a young age. And he has such a good attitude! Is he going to be a carpenter when he grows up? How old is he by the way? So refreshing to see such a positive young spirit in this day and age when so many of the young ones are getting into not so positive things.

Mz-Cellaneous said...

He's 16 (and a half) and he's always been like this. He loves to make things, when he was little a bag of popsicle sticks would keep him busy for days on end. He's a worker and always busting his butt when you don't even ask him. This is why I give him a lot of leeway in other areas because he helps without asking. Sometimes I'll even slip him a little cash as a thank you. He's looking for a job right now, and whomever actually hires him is going to be thrilled! lol.
*he wants a car badly!*

I think nowadays lots of teens get a bad rap because of a few duds. I can name a long list of great teens and have a very short list of turds.

Tracy said...

Good job Tanner :)
I wanted a compost bin....but bears like them to much.
As for the coop cleaning...good thing I dont' like beer, teehee.

LisaDay said...

We used to have a compost bin and now the town does it for us. I feel good about it and I don't have to worry about the stink, the mess or the critters. Win-win.

LisaDay

Jill said...

Great work Tanner & very nice price! My guy built a compost thing but I don't know what kind of wood he used.

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