I need composting help!

[BabyGotQuack]

I looked into this chip drop, I had never heard of it before! So do you have any say on what or how much you get or is it just the luck of the draw?

 

[gtaus]

I looked into this chip drop, I had never heard of it before! So do you have any say on what or how much you get or is it just the luck of the draw?

From what I understand, you sign up for a drop load, and it's pretty much the luck of the draw what you might get. If you don't get as much as you want, you can sign up again. If you get too much, well, I guess you own it. That's my understanding of the program, but, like I said, I was unable to find anyone on chipdrop.com where I live. I would love a chipdrop, in any quantity, at my place.

 

[BabyGotQuack]

From what I understand, you sign up for a drop load, and it's pretty much the luck of the draw what you might get. If you don't get as much as you want, you can sign up again. If you get too much, well, I guess you own it. That's my understanding of the program, but, like I said, I was unable to find anyone on chipdrop.com where I live. I would love a chipdrop, in any quantity, at my place.

I live far out too so I don’t know if I would actually get anything either. On their site it says they have people in my area but I find that hard to believe but who knows!

 

[gtaus]

I live far out too so I don’t know if I would actually get anything either. On their site it says they have people in my area but I find that hard to believe but who knows!

You never know. You might hook up with someone who is passing through your neck of the woods and would rather dump a load at your house than have to pay to dispose of the wood chips at a landfill.

I live out in the country, and I suspect, in my case, that most country people prefer to have the wood chips dropped right at their own house for use as mulch, etc... Having said that, most people out where I live cut down their own trees anyway. It's very rare I ever see a tree service passing by on our roads.

In the meantime, you might want to check out if you have a county landfill where you can get free wood chips. My "local" country landfill is 20 minutes away, but if I am going out to that area, I'll just hitch up my tailer and stop in there to grab a load.

 

[BabyGotQuack]

You never know. You might hook up with someone who is passing through your neck of the woods and would rather dump a load at your house than have to pay to dispose of the wood chips at a landfill.

I live out in the country, and I suspect, in my case, that most country people prefer to have the wood chips dropped right at their own house for use as mulch, etc... Having said that, most people out where I live cut down their own trees anyway. It's very rare I ever see a tree service passing by on our roads.

In the meantime, you might want to check out if you have a county landfill where you can get free wood chips. My "local" country landfill is 20 minutes away, but if I am going out to that area, I'll just hitch up my tailer and stop in there to grab a load.

That’s a good idea too, hadn’t thought of checking with the landfill.

 

[gtaus]

That’s a good idea too, hadn’t thought of checking with the landfill.

My local landfill charges the arborist to dump their wood chips at the landfill, but anyone can come and take free wood chips out of the landfill. Works for me.

 

[Alagirl]

My local landfill charges the arborist to dump their wood chips at the landfill, but anyone can come and take free wood chips out of the landfill. Works for me.

I have been meaning to ask the tree guys when I see them about that.
Hey, I won't charge them for a drop! Maybe even throw a cold drink in for the trouble.
I am reluctant on the grass clippings. but I need a lot of stuff so I might strike up a conversation!

 

[gtaus]

I have been meaning to ask the tree guys when I see them about that.
Hey, I won't charge them for a drop! Maybe even throw a cold drink in for the trouble.
I am reluctant on the grass clippings. but I need a lot of stuff so I might strike up a conversation!

That's why, where I live, I would not be tricked into paying for a chipdrop. I know the arborists have to pay to dump their wood chips at the landfill. So, I am doing them a favor, and saving them money, by allowing them to dump wood chips at my house.

I have heard that some places the contractors attempt to get the home owner to pay for a chipdrop. I would not agree to that in principal, but also because I know they have to pay good money to dispose of their chips at our landfill.

Some businesses are all in for the money. I can understand some of that. Before I found I could get free wood chips at our county landfill, I stopped into a wood business that had mounds and mounds of wood chips behind his place. I asked him if I could load up my trailer with some of those chips. He said, no problem and that he would only charge me $60 per load!

I smelled a rat and he smelled someone who did not yet know that wood chips could be had for free at the landfill. I thanked him and told him I would consider it. I left and never returned, but I could see someone willing to pay for his "garbage" wood chips if they did not know any better. Knowledge is power.

I only use grass clippings from my yard, because I know I don't use any chemicals or sprays on my grass.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Around here (RI) arborist actually charge for wood chips…$10-15 per yard…and apparently do well with that. I was on chipdrop for about 6 months with nary a nibble, even when I offered to pay $50 a load.

 

[gtaus]

Around here (RI) arborist actually charge for wood chips…$10-15 per yard…and apparently do well with that. I was on chipdrop for about 6 months with nary a nibble, even when I offered to pay $50 a load.

That's too bad. Do you have any free wood chip alternatives, like a county landfill?

FYI, this winter I used paper shreds inside the chicken coop as deep bedding. I make my own paper shreds at home, from newspapers, junk mail, food grade light weight cardboard, etc... and that worked out very well for me. The paper shreds should break down into good compost a lot faster than wood chips, too. So if you live in an area that wood chips are expensive, you might consider using paper shreds for the coop and composting.

I would not recommend using paper shreds as mulch in the gardens or walkways unless you don't mind having confetti flying all over your yard.