Do any of you rfc'rs do it? If so, how?

I have access to a buncha Mom's old storage containers, some been out in
the sun so long they're about to fall apart. Others, newer. Can I
utilize these? I can imagine/fab false bottoms and holes. Air
circulation. I have most of a 25lb bag o' organic potting soil. Can
provide food wastes. I have organic plant food, which is mostly worm
casings. Seems to me real worms would be even better.

Strikes me that growing good tomatoes is more than a hanging gimmick grower
and a garden hose.

I ate some homegrown tomatoes about 20 yrs ago. This when mrkt
tomatoes were already crap and had been for a long time. These
homegrown tomatoes were astonishing! Flavor I'd not tasted in 20 yrs
before or anytime since. Unfortunately, grown by ppl from a very
remote part of my in-law's family, which soon passed on, so I never
really learned the secret. I wanna rediscover that. I think good
soil is the answer. Again, got any compost and/or worm fans out
there?

nb

--
vi --the heart of evil!
"Avenge me!" --Bill Burr

On Apr 26, 9:38*am, notbob > wrote:
> Do any of you rfc'rs do it? *If so, how?
>
> I have access to a buncha Mom's old storage containers, some been out in
> the sun so long they're about to fall apart. *Others, newer. *Can I
> utilize these? *I can imagine/fab false bottoms and holes. *Air
> circulation. *I have most of a 25lb bag o' organic potting soil. *Can
> provide food wastes. *I have organic plant food, which is mostly worm
> casings. *Seems to me real worms would be even better.
>
> Strikes me that growing good tomatoes is more than a hanging gimmick grower
> and a garden hose.
>
> I ate some homegrown tomatoes about 20 yrs ago. *This when mrkt
> tomatoes were already crap and had been for a long time. *These
> homegrown tomatoes were astonishing! *Flavor I'd not tasted in 20 yrs
> before or anytime since. *Unfortunately, grown by ppl from a very
> remote part of my in-law's family, which soon passed on, so I never
> really learned the secret. *I wanna rediscover that. *I think good
> soil is the answer. *Again, got any compost and/or worm fans out
> there?

I'm a huge fan. We compost all vegetable wastes. I'll put pix on my
Flickr site later.
>
> nb
>
--Bryan

notbob wrote:
> Do any of you rfc'rs do it? If so, how?
>
> I have access to a buncha Mom's old storage containers, some been out in
> the sun so long they're about to fall apart. Others, newer. Can I
> utilize these? I can imagine/fab false bottoms and holes. Air
> circulation. I have most of a 25lb bag o' organic potting soil. Can
> provide food wastes. I have organic plant food, which is mostly worm
> casings. Seems to me real worms would be even better.
>
> Strikes me that growing good tomatoes is more than a hanging gimmick grower
> and a garden hose.
>
> I ate some homegrown tomatoes about 20 yrs ago. This when mrkt
> tomatoes were already crap and had been for a long time. These
> homegrown tomatoes were astonishing! Flavor I'd not tasted in 20 yrs
> before or anytime since. Unfortunately, grown by ppl from a very
> remote part of my in-law's family, which soon passed on, so I never
> really learned the secret. I wanna rediscover that. I think good
> soil is the answer. Again, got any compost and/or worm fans out
> there?
>
> nb
>
>

Are you actually going to compost it, or grow Red Wiggler worms and let
them do the work?

(the latter will work, the former won't unless the containers are *huge*)

-Bob

On Apr 26, 10:28*am, zxcvbob > wrote:
> notbob wrote:
> > Do any of you rfc'rs do it? *If so, how?
>
> > I have access to a buncha Mom's old storage containers, some been out in
> > the sun so long they're about to fall apart. *Others, newer. *Can I
> > utilize these? *I can imagine/fab false bottoms and holes. *Air
> > circulation. *I have most of a 25lb bag o' organic potting soil. *Can
> > provide food wastes. *I have organic plant food, which is mostly worm
> > casings. *Seems to me real worms would be even better.
>
> > Strikes me that growing good tomatoes is more than a hanging gimmick grower
> > and a garden hose.
>
> > I ate some homegrown tomatoes about 20 yrs ago. *This when mrkt
> > tomatoes were already crap and had been for a long time. *These
> > homegrown tomatoes were astonishing! *Flavor I'd not tasted in 20 yrs
> > before or anytime since. *Unfortunately, grown by ppl from a very
> > remote part of my in-law's family, which soon passed on, so I never
> > really learned the secret. *I wanna rediscover that. *I think good
> > soil is the answer. *Again, got any compost and/or worm fans out
> > there?
>
> > nb
>
> Are you actually going to compost it, or grow Red Wiggler worms and let
> them do the work?
>
> (the latter will work, the former won't unless the containers are *huge*)

Any old worms will do. Here's a couple of pix, one of my composter:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1552229...7629905002931/
>
> -Bob

--Bryan

notbob > wrote:

>Do any of you rfc'rs do it? If so, how?

Try rec.gardens.edible.

-snip-
>Strikes me that growing good tomatoes is more than a hanging gimmick grower
>and a garden hose.
>

I'll just say here that if you have 4square feet of ground-- a corner
of a flower bed-- steal from the lawn- take up a block or 4 from the
patio- street median. . . whatever. Use that and you're in for an
easier time than container growing tomatoes.

Not saying it isn't done, done often, and done well--- just saying
that the most important thing for good tomatoes [after lots of direct
sun] is a *steady* source of moisture & food. It is a lot easier
to accomplish that in the ground.

Jim

On Apr 26, 10:39*am, Jim Elbrecht > wrote:
> notbob > wrote:
> >Do any of you rfc'rs do it? *If so, how?
>
> Try rec.gardens.edible.
>
> -snip-
>
> >Strikes me that growing good tomatoes is more than a hanging gimmick grower
> >and a garden hose.
>
> I'll just say here that if you have 4square feet of ground-- a corner
> of a flower bed-- steal from the lawn- take up a block or 4 from the
> patio- street median. . . *whatever. * *Use that and you're in for an
> easier time than container growing tomatoes.
>
> Not saying it isn't done, done often, and done well--- just saying
> that the *most important thing for good tomatoes [after lots of direct
> sun] is a *steady* source of moisture & food. * * It is a lot easier
> to accomplish that in the ground.

I second that.
>
> Jim

--Bryan

On 26 Apr 2012 14:38:38 GMT, notbob > wrote:

> Again, got any compost and/or worm fans out there?

It seems like my son in law has tried them all and he settled on a
pretty old fashioned looking one that's just a compost heap, but it's
inside something. I don't inspect those things, so I can guess (I
think it's chicken or fence wire) or ask him. If I ask him, I'll also
ask him to take a picture of it for you. You killed me a long time
ago, so you'll never know and it's your loss for being such a
butthead.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 4/26/2012 9:38 AM, notbob wrote:
> Do any of you rfc'rs do it? If so, how?


We kept our compost in the far corner of the backyard, where two fences
came together, we started out with a mound of soil, peat moss and some
clay.

We would save food waste in an empty plastic coffee can, dump the can on
the mound of soil, then turn it over with a shovel. Each time you add
more food waste, you turn the compost again. Glad you are doing it.

Becca

> notbob > wrote:
>
> >Do any of you rfc'rs do it? If so, how?

We make tons of it in five compost heaps. I fill them up with all our
kitchen vegetable waste, grass cuttings, manure, sheep wool, seaweed,
garden weeds and waste,paper shreddings etc. Wait until it's like black
forest gateau full of worms then use it as fertiliser round the garden.

Janet UK

On Apr 26, 7:38*am, notbob > wrote:
> Do any of you rfc'rs do it? *If so, how?
>
> I have access to a buncha Mom's old storage containers, some been out in
> the sun so long they're about to fall apart. *Others, newer. *Can I
> utilize these? *I can imagine/fab false bottoms and holes. *Air
> circulation. *I have most of a 25lb bag o' organic potting soil. *Can
> provide food wastes. *I have organic plant food, which is mostly worm
> casings. *Seems to me real worms would be even better.
>
> Strikes me that growing good tomatoes is more than a hanging gimmick grower
> and a garden hose.
>
> I ate some homegrown tomatoes about 20 yrs ago. *This when mrkt
> tomatoes were already crap and had been for a long time. *These
> homegrown tomatoes were astonishing! *Flavor I'd not tasted in 20 yrs
> before or anytime since. *Unfortunately, grown by ppl from a very
> remote part of my in-law's family, which soon passed on, so I never
> really learned the secret. *I wanna rediscover that. *I think good
> soil is the answer. *Again, got any compost and/or worm fans out
> there?
>
> nb
>
> --
> vi --the heart of evil!
> "Avenge me!" *--Bill Burr

My company makes brackets for a compost bin that is one of the better
systems out there. There are many different kinds but this one has
been touted by HGTV as a great system.

http://www.kkindustries.com/index.ph...62&It emid=70

http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/asse...bin/index.html

Of course you don't have to get that "fancy" but it certainly helps
keep your property from looking trashy....if you care.

On Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:49:10 -0700 (PDT), Bryan
> wrote:

> I'm a huge fan. We compost all vegetable wastes.

Coincidentally, I just ran across this.
<http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/5-steps-fast-compost?cm_mmc=facebook-_-OrganicGardening-_-Content-LearnGrow-_-composter>


--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 4/26/2012 12:29 PM, ImStillMags wrote:

> My company makes brackets for a compost bin that is one of the better
> systems out there. There are many different kinds but this one has
> been touted by HGTV as a great system.
>
> http://www.kkindustries.com/index.ph...62&It emid=70

I bought those last year, wonder if they were manufactured by your
company. Does a great job and I stained the lumber so it rather
blends in with the landscape.

> http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/asse...bin/index.html

Funny, I selected it on Paul James' recommendation.


> Of course you don't have to get that "fancy" but it certainly helps
> keep your property from looking trashy....if you care.

That was one of my concerns, my compost pile is on the side of the
house and I wanted it to be less of an eyesore for my neighbors.

nancy

On 26 Apr 2012 14:38:38 GMT, notbob > wrote:

>Do any of you rfc'rs do it? If so, how?
>
>I have access to a buncha Mom's old storage containers, some been out in
>the sun so long they're about to fall apart. Others, newer. Can I
>utilize these? I can imagine/fab false bottoms and holes. Air
>circulation. I have most of a 25lb bag o' organic potting soil. Can
>provide food wastes. I have organic plant food, which is mostly worm
>casings. Seems to me real worms would be even better.



I've no idea what old storage containers have to do with composting.
I've been composting all my life, what do you want to know? The one
thing people do that doesn't work is buy those silly rotating drum
thingies... in order to compost whatever you're composting MUST be in
contact with the ground... off the ground you're fermenting, not
composting, huge difference. This is the best composter, nothing else
works nearly as well... it's the only one with a 25 year warranty,
I've been using mine some 20 years and it's still as good as new, but
mostly it really works, and I don't need to empty it, when full I just
lift it off the pile of compost and move it over to a new location.
http://www.wagle.com/composters/comp...ost-bin-85-gal

On Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:59:09 -0400, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:

>On 26 Apr 2012 14:38:38 GMT, notbob > wrote:
>
>>Do any of you rfc'rs do it? If so, how?
>>
>>I have access to a buncha Mom's old storage containers, some been out in
>>the sun so long they're about to fall apart. Others, newer. Can I
>>utilize these? I can imagine/fab false bottoms and holes. Air
>>circulation. I have most of a 25lb bag o' organic potting soil. Can
>>provide food wastes. I have organic plant food, which is mostly worm
>>casings. Seems to me real worms would be even better.
>
>
>
>I've no idea what old storage containers have to do with composting.
>I've been composting all my life, what do you want to know? The one
>thing people do that doesn't work is buy those silly rotating drum
>thingies... in order to compost whatever you're composting MUST be in
>contact with the ground... off the ground you're fermenting, not
>composting, huge difference. This is the best composter, nothing else
>works nearly as well... it's the only one with a 25 year warranty,
>I've been using mine some 20 years and it's still as good as new, but
>mostly it really works, and I don't need to empty it, when full I just
>lift it off the pile of compost and move it over to a new location.
>http://www.wagle.com/composters/comp...ost-bin-85-gal

I keep my composter near my veggie garden:
http://i45.tinypic.com/2r6jm7d.jpg

Your right about the soil, the climate also plays the big part as well as the type of seeds.
Point Of Sale Software http://www.trademeters.com/

On Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:59:09 -0400, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:

>On 26 Apr 2012 14:38:38 GMT, notbob > wrote:
>
>>Do any of you rfc'rs do it? If so, how?
>>
>>I have access to a buncha Mom's old storage containers, some been out in
>>the sun so long they're about to fall apart. Others, newer. Can I
>>utilize these? I can imagine/fab false bottoms and holes. Air
>>circulation. I have most of a 25lb bag o' organic potting soil. Can
>>provide food wastes. I have organic plant food, which is mostly worm
>>casings. Seems to me real worms would be even better.
>
>
>
>I've no idea what old storage containers have to do with composting.
>I've been composting all my life, what do you want to know? The one
>thing people do that doesn't work is buy those silly rotating drum
>thingies... in order to compost whatever you're composting MUST be in
>contact with the ground... off the ground you're fermenting, not
>composting, huge difference.
....

I hear ya Sheldon. We had simple compost piles in our backyard until
the landlord becaomse concerned with if it would attract rats, etc. So
we got a couple of big plastic trash cans and drilled 1/2 holes in
them, and while doing that I suggested to our upstairs neighbor (I
call her our Agriculatural Goddess!) why don;'t we cut the bottom out
of these cans to the compost will have a good connecton to Mother
Earth! And we did!! Makes 'em a lot easier to empty and mix on the
gronnd, then refill too!

Mother Earth, the biggest composting pile on the planet! In fact it
*IS* the planet! Who woulda thunk it? ;-)

John Kuthe...

On 26/04/2012 10:38 AM, notbob wrote:

> I ate some homegrown tomatoes about 20 yrs ago. This when mrkt
> tomatoes were already crap and had been for a long time. These
> homegrown tomatoes were astonishing! Flavor I'd not tasted in 20 yrs
> before or anytime since. Unfortunately, grown by ppl from a very
> remote part of my in-law's family, which soon passed on, so I never
> really learned the secret. I wanna rediscover that. I think good
> soil is the answer. Again, got any compost and/or worm fans out
> there?


I grew up on home grown tomatoes and really liked them. When I moved out
and got married and lived in an apartment store bought rubbermatoes were
the only option most of the time. I have since discovered that my system
has a problem with tomatoes, but that does not stop me from occasionally
having a some, but only occasionally. They can be really good,
especially when fresh from the garden.


As for composting, we have been doing it for years. I was almost
disappointed when the town started a recycling and compost program a few
years ago. We were given a green bin for compost and my wife throws
everything into that and it gets hauled away. Last week I moved my two
compost bins and had to empty them. I used the soil to fill in some ruts
and depressions in the lawn. Damn that was nice earth. We could have a
lot more of it. Both bins are now empty, but I am going to make a point
of putting the vegetable stuff into them instead of letting them take it
away.

On Apr 26, 10:29*am, Nancy Young <replyto@inemail> wrote:
> On 4/26/2012 12:29 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
>
> > My company makes brackets for a compost bin that is one of the better
> > systems out there. *There are many different kinds but this one has
> > been touted by HGTV as a great system.
>
> >http://www.kkindustries.com/index.ph...t&view=article...
>
> I bought those last year, wonder if they were manufactured by your
> company. *Does a great job and I stained the lumber so it rather
> blends in with the landscape.
>
> >http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/asse...bin/index.html
>
> Funny, I selected it on Paul James' recommendation.
>
> > Of course you don't have to get that "fancy" but it certainly helps
> > keep your property from looking trashy....if you care.
>
> That was one of my concerns, my compost pile is on the side of the
> house and I wanted it to be less of an eyesore for my neighbors.
>
> nancy

YAY!!! I'm so glad it's worked for you. We sell bunches of those in
the Spring and Fall...funniest thing...!

On Apr 26, 2:05*pm, Dave Smith > wrote:
> On 26/04/2012 10:38 AM, notbob wrote:
>
> > I ate some homegrown tomatoes about 20 yrs ago. *This when mrkt
> > tomatoes were already crap and had been for a long time. *These
> > homegrown tomatoes were astonishing! *Flavor I'd not tasted in 20 yrs
> > before or anytime since. *Unfortunately, grown by ppl from a very
> > remote part of my in-law's family, which soon passed on, so I never
> > really learned the secret. *I wanna rediscover that. *I think good
> > soil is the answer. *Again, got any compost and/or worm fans out
> > there?
>
> I grew up on home grown tomatoes and really liked them. When I moved out
> and got married and lived in an apartment store bought rubbermatoes were
> the only option most of the time. I have since discovered that my system
> has a problem with tomatoes, but that does not stop me from occasionally
> having a some, but only occasionally. They can be really good,
> especially when fresh from the garden.
>
> As for composting, we have been doing it for years. I was almost
> disappointed when the town started a recycling and compost program a few
> years ago. We were given a green bin for compost and my wife throws
> everything into that and it gets hauled away. Last week I moved my two
> compost bins and had to empty them. I used the soil to fill in some ruts
> and depressions in the lawn. Damn that was nice earth. We could have a
> lot more of it. Both bins are now empty, but I am going to make a point
> of putting the vegetable stuff into them instead of letting them take it
> away.

Just because your city has a composting program doesn't mean you HAVE
to use it. Mostly it's for people
who DON"T compost.

On 26/04/2012 5:50 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
>
> Just because your city has a composting program doesn't mean you HAVE
> to use it. Mostly it's for people
> who DON"T compost.



You know that, and I know that. Can you explain it to my wife. She is
blonde and Dutch.

On Apr 26, 10:38*am, notbob > wrote:
> Do any of you rfc'rs do it? *If so, how?
>
> I have access to a buncha Mom's old storage containers, some been out in
> the sun so long they're about to fall apart. *Others, newer. *Can I
> utilize these? *I can imagine/fab false bottoms and holes. *Air
> circulation. *I have most of a 25lb bag o' organic potting soil. *Can
> provide food wastes. *I have organic plant food, which is mostly worm
> casings. *Seems to me real worms would be even better.
>
> Strikes me that growing good tomatoes is more than a hanging gimmick grower
> and a garden hose.
>
> I ate some homegrown tomatoes about 20 yrs ago. *This when mrkt
> tomatoes were already crap and had been for a long time. *These
> homegrown tomatoes were astonishing! *Flavor I'd not tasted in 20 yrs
> before or anytime since. *Unfortunately, grown by ppl from a very
> remote part of my in-law's family, which soon passed on, so I never
> really learned the secret. *I wanna rediscover that. *I think good
> soil is the answer. *Again, got any compost and/or worm fans out
> there?
>
> nb
>
> --
> vi --the heart of evil!
> "Avenge me!" *--Bill Burr

I have three compost areas. Two are large black, round, bottomless
barrels with covers, and the other is home made with 3 old pallets. I
use a lot of compost in my herb gardens.

sqwishy makes another blunder.

> For the record, and since it's fallen out of fashion, "STFW" stands
> for Search The ****ing Web. A spin-off from an even older and equally
> unfashionable acronym, RTFM.

How would you pronounced that "acronym", sqwish?

On May 3, 8:54*am, George M. Middius > wrote:
> sqwishy makes another blunder.
>
> > For the record, and since it's fallen out of fashion, "STFW" stands
> > for Search The ****ing Web. *A spin-off from an even older and equally
> > unfashionable acronym, RTFM.
>
> How would you pronounced that "acronym", sqwish?

Words without vowels are silent.

--Bryan

Sqwertz wrote:
>
> On Wed, 02 May 2012 16:45:16 -0400, Gary wrote:
> > I seriously doubt that's true. Someone must be making the antidote still
> > even if the original company gave it up.
>
> Or you could just STFW and find out for yourself before you call me a
> liar.
>
> http://www.popularmechanics.com/scie...tivenom-crisis
>
> -sw

Humble apologies, Steve, for the mis-interpretation. It sure sounded like
that in written word though. ;o

Picture us talking in person:
Steve: No more coral snake antivenom, Gary
Gary: I seriously doubt that's true...

I wasn't saying it's not true or calling you a liar, I just find the fact
inconceivable. I did look it up though and of course it's right. I never
doubted your statement, I just couldn't believe that it's happened.

I did read though that foreign companies still make it but the cost of the
licensing here in the US is prohibitive????

No more antivenom here? I'll bet you if the current or past presidents got
a coral snake bite, plenty would show up right away.

If I rushed my child to the hospital with a coral snake bite.....and they
told me my child might die...."oh there's a perfect antivenom but they don't
make it anymore"... you can damn sure believe I would sue someone. Probably
Nutella for their fake health claims.

Gary

On May 3, 4:11*pm, Gary > wrote:
>
>
> If I rushed my child to the hospital with a coral snake bite.....and they
> told me my child might die...."oh there's a perfect antivenom but they don't
> make it anymore"... you can damn sure believe I would sue someone. *Probably
> Nutella for their fake health claims.

The State of Florida. "My kid drank OJ every morning with breakfast,
and when he got bit my a coral snake, he died!"
>
> Gary

--Bryan