Sand as a cover for compost toilet?

kasilofhome · #21 02/14/13, 10:07 PM

wood ash? Has not been an issue when we have used it. ''''''''But I am not a compost specilist.

Paquebot · #22 02/14/13, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasilofhome

wood ash? Has not been an issue when we have used it. ''''''''But I am not a compost specilist.

From the Humanure Handbook: "Wood ashes or coal ashes should NOT be used as cover materials in humanure toilets,"

Martin

CesumPec · #23 02/14/13, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paquebot

Nothing more than the usual "Neighborly help and friendly advice."

Martin

I'm not sure if you have no sense of humor, or an excessively dry one.

Anyway, i talked to a neighbor today...err...yesterday. His dad has a portable saw mill a few miles from me. I might have solved my problem. Will go check it out soon.

Paquebot · #24 02/15/13, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CesumPec

I'm not sure if you have no sense of humor, or an excessively dry one.

"No good deed ever goes unpunished."

Martin

Sparticle · #25 02/15/13, 08:12 AM

oOOOOOooo that changes it. Well shoot. We have so many oak leaves you wouldn't believe it. Good going on the carrots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CesumPec

I'm working on the carrot beds as we speak.

As for leaves, I have none except for pine straw. That would probably work if they were finely ground, but they just shoot out my mower. We do have 3 seasons here (no winter) but all the trees are basically evergreens. The oaks do drop a few leaves in the fall, but nothing like up north where you end up with a yard that is a foot deep in fallen leaves.

Paquebot · #26 02/15/13, 08:59 AM

If you have a mower, that's all you need to convert any straw, pine or grain, to material which could be used in a compost toilet. If it's not a mulching mower, just need a piece of heavy plastic big enough to block the discharge chute. Keep it in place with duct tape to convert a side-discharge mower to a mulching mower. Then buy a bale of straw and convert it to whatever size bits you want and store it in whatever type container you wish. Cheaper than running all around looking for something when you have the means to do it yourself.

Martin

CesumPec · #27 02/15/13, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paquebot

If you have a mower, that's all you need to convert any straw, pine or grain, to material which could be used in a compost toilet. If it's not a mulching mower, just need a piece of heavy plastic big enough to block the discharge chute. Keep it in place with duct tape to convert a side-discharge mower to a mulching mower. Then buy a bale of straw and convert it to whatever size bits you want and store it in whatever type container you wish. Cheaper than running all around looking for something when you have the means to do it yourself.

Martin

For me, mower = bushhog.

am1too · #28 02/15/13, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CesumPec

I'm looked on Craig's list for months and I haven't found any close supplies of manure and zero sawdust. I'll try posting ads on freecycle.

place a wanted add in craig's list.

fireweed farm · #29 02/15/13, 03:07 PM

Whenever I ran out I went to the feed store and bought the compressed chips for bedding. Worked great and a bag lasts ages.

CesumPec · #30 02/15/13, 09:15 PM

I'm all set. Saw dust supply found and it's about 6 miles away.

Forerunner · #31 02/15/13, 09:18 PM

Don't forget to bring home extra, every time.

I'm really glad you didn't have to check yourself into a baking therapy/counseling institution over this.........

CesumPec · #32 02/15/13, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forerunner

Don't forget to bring home extra, every time.

I'm really glad you didn't have to check yourself into a baking therapy/counseling institution over this.........

My wife was filling out the paperwork. Fortunately I get a reprieve.

It is REALLY funny the looks and comments you get when you talk about composting toilets. Most people get totally hung up on the fact that their poop doesn't flush. One guy was practically begging me to let him install a homemade 55 gal drum septic system. I told him I didn't want to lose the poos because it was too valuable and you could tell he was fighting an internal debate on whether to tell me I was stupid or insane.

When they move beyond the no-flushing it away concept, and realize that human poo gets put in a compost pile that finds its way to the garden...well, I won't ever have to worry about them being uninvited dinner guests. One guy tried to tell me the reason why there are so many sick people in India is because of practices just like what I'm proposing.

Forerunner · #33 02/16/13, 01:19 PM

I have loaned out my copy of Joseph Jenkins' best on more than one occasion.