Comments on: how to build a straw bale compost http://baybranchfarm.com/2009/09/19/how-to-build-a-straw-bale-compost/ Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:04:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: jojobickle http://baybranchfarm.com/2009/09/19/how-to-build-a-straw-bale-compost/#comment-85 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:45:25 +0000 http://baybranch.wordpress.com/?p=477#comment-85 Oh, that size sounds more reasonable. We got our straw from a guy named Harold in Columbia Station. We found him on craigslist. $2/bale, but not sure how to contact him…..suggest checking craigslist. going rate is about $2-4/bale depending on where you get it. Hope it works out well for you!

]]> By: john mcgovern http://baybranchfarm.com/2009/09/19/how-to-build-a-straw-bale-compost/#comment-84 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:59:19 +0000 http://baybranch.wordpress.com/?p=477#comment-84 Hi Annabel: thanks for the quick response. The 15′ X 5′ area I was speaking of is the total amount of space I have available for composting, hemmed in by a fence and my house. The actual contained area will be much smaller, likely about 3′ X 9′ including the width of 3 bales, so roughly 3′ X 4.5′ X 2.5′ (height) of compostable area. Our current bin is roughly 3x3x3′ and we continually run out of room, esp for leaves in the fall plus not much decomposes during the winter even though i’ve tried to insulate our plastic bin w/ bags of leaves…
where did you purchase your bales?

thanks again; this is very helpful!

]]> By: jojobickle http://baybranchfarm.com/2009/09/19/how-to-build-a-straw-bale-compost/#comment-83 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:52:35 +0000 http://baybranch.wordpress.com/?p=477#comment-83 Hi John,
Annabel here….thanks for visiting our blog! The strawbale compost has worked pretty well for us so far. Every time we think it’s full, the amount reduces even further, so we just keep adding organic scraps. We’ve only been using this method since June and we haven’t harvested any compost yet, so we can only speculate about heat retention, though that is what Eliot Coleman says happens and our pile seems pretty hot. I think 5′ x 15′ sounds pretty large. Where will you get enough material to fill that area? I would recommend something smaller or just breaking up the 15′ into 5′ x 5′ sections and then rotating the piles. Let me know what you end up deciding.
We got the compost inoculant from Peaceful Valley (along with our garlic order). There is a place in Hartville that sells it – Ohio Earth Food, but we couldn’t make it down there given their hours of operation. Good luck!

]]> By: john mcgovern http://baybranchfarm.com/2009/09/19/how-to-build-a-straw-bale-compost/#comment-82 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:03:24 +0000 http://baybranch.wordpress.com/?p=477#comment-82 neat idea, especially in regards to insulation and heat retention. so, in effect the strawbales are the walls or structure of the compost bin, right?

i’m going to consider employing this method of construction @ my home (5′ X 15′ area) instead a wood or pallet frame. eventhough it will reduce to the volume i am able to compost, i think the heat retention will more than make up for it. any thoughts?

where did you purchase your compost inoculate?

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