Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Composting Outhouses....But Were Afraid to Ask

I've had a few questions about our composting outhouse....

so I thought I would tell you all there is to know about composting outhouses.

(If you are not interested, you can skip down to the bottom of this post for your daily dose of cute pictures.)

Before we begin, I cannot emphasize enough how important an ultra-clean

outhouse is to me.... one that is free from any odors!

This is my goal for this little barn privy.

A composting outhouse is constructed like any outhouse,

except for the fact that it sits on top of a stone pad, rather than over a "pit".

The interior has the basic elements... toilet seat on top of a sealed chamber.

On the back side of the outhouse is a door...

that raises and exposes the chamber 

where a muck bucket (not pictured)filled with peat moss sits.

There is a ventilation pipe leading from this chamber up to the roof,

allowing any gases to escape.

Each time the outhouse is used, the deposit is covered with more peat moss, saw dust and such.

An all natural enzyme mixture is added to help waste and t.p. decompose faster.

A trip to my favorite antique shops gave me some ideas

for outfitting our privy with some essentials.

A little galvanized basket acts as a shelf to hold organic, biodegradable antibacterial wipes,

(for clean-up)

a box of organic septic enzymes and extra hand towelettes 

(vegetable based cleanser in cloths made from plant matter...also biodegradable).

A hanging scale serves as a hook for a berry bucket that carries an extra roll of t.p.

An old slate chalkboard will display the 

"Outhouse Rules".

This is just the start to the outhouse decor.

And now a word about composting.

It typically takes between a year to two years for all of this humanure to break down completely,

so the outhouse bin is emptied into a larger bin where composting occurs.

The right combination of carbon matter (leaves, peat moss, sawdust, etc)

along with moisture and oxygen help to facilitate this process.

As with any manure composting, temperatures in the compost are high enough to kill pathogens.

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Just in case you are not fascinated by composting outhouses,

and skipped down from the top...

here are today's farm pictures.

(I hate to disappoint!)

My work crew for the afternoon shift...

For those of you envious of snow... leave me your address and I will box some up for you!

Lack of winter sunshine in our orchard keeps this area snowy long after

the rest of the farm's snow has melted.

There's not much edible in the pastures these days!

Have a great weekend.

We are hoping to have baby goats to share with you next week.

Stay tuned!!