Build Your Own!
There are a variety of composting bins out on the market, but any “compost bin” is not simply a compost bin. They are not all created equally, and choosing a bin depends on the location of your bin, how large you want it to be, and personal preferences such as whether you want to rotate it in a tumbling bin or turn it over with a pitchfork. This can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but here are a few recommendations for building your own bin:If the chances of rodents and other unwanted animals such as deer, dogs, or even bears accessing your pile are pretty high, an enclosed container is recommended. It is also important to have a multi-bin system (two will do for most cases) because adding more organic materials to more organic materials will result in various stages of decomposition which will not be an efficient way to use the compost. When you use your compost you don’t want to have a half-rotting banana peel next to your tulips. Ideally, you should add enough material to one bin and allow it to “cook” while adding organic materials to a second bin or pile. An untouched pile will still decompose eventually, but that can take many years.
There are hundreds of diagrams available online to build your own, but here are a few options to consider with various advantages and disadvantages associated with each.
This plan is definitely for the do-it-yourselfer as it requires a lot of woodworking. The result is a nice-looking raised bin that prevents the intrusion of animals. It cost about $350.00 which is a little pricey, but worth the investment if you want something this substantial. The slats in the front are removable which make for easy turning. Since this bin is raised off the ground, air can get underneath the compost, further helping the process. Whenever you add natural soil to your compost pile, there are millions of microorganisms and worms that will be ready to get to work on your compost, so don’t worry if your bin isn’t directly on the ground.
Rotating barrels are useful if you don’t want to have to turn over the pile every time you add new materials.
Simple compost piles made with posts and chicken wire are really all you need to keep the larger animals out. Some examples of homemade bins are:
>> Homemade Tumbler Composting Bin
>> Homemade Compost Bin Example
Build Your Own Indoor Bin
- Drill 1/2-inch diameter holes in the bottom and sides of a plastic garbage can.
- Place a brick in the bottom of a larger garbage can, surround the brick with a layer of wood chips or soil, and place the smaller can inside on top of the brick.
- Wrap insulation around the outer can to keep the compost warm and cover the cans with a lid.
If you’re looking to build your own indoor bin, vermicomposting (composting with worms) may be a better option because they accelerate the composting process with little to no odor. More about vermicomposting.
What’s in, what’s out.
Keeping a good ratio of “greens” and “browns” helps encourage the decomposition process and keep the pile from getting stinky. “Greens” are high in nitrogen and “browns” are high in carbon. The microorganisms need a good balance of these to be full and energetic. As a general rule, you want to have approximately four parts “brown” to one part “green”. This is an approximation, usually too much “green” is the problem as it is difficult to have too much “brown”. If you’re placing your bin outside, putting it in a sunny area will help the center of the pile heat up which is what is necessary for the breakdown of the materials inside. Also, if it starts to get a little dry add enough water to it to keep it moist.Typical green materials are:
- Fresh (green) Grass clippings
- Fresh manure (horse, chicken, rabbit, cow)
- Weeds
- Green leaves
- Leftover fruits from the garden
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Eggshells
- Fruits and vegetables
- Houseplants
- Leaves
- Tea bags
- Yard trimmings
Typical brown (dry) materials include:
- Brown, dry leaves
- Dried grass
- Cornstalks (shredded)
- Straw
- Sawdust (in moderation)
- Cardboard rolls
- Clean paper
- Cotton rags
- Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
- Hair and fur
- Hay and straw
- Shredded newspaper
- Wood chips
- Wool rags
- Nut shells
- Fireplace ashes
(EPA, 2010)
What Not to Compost - The OUT List
Leave Out/Reason Why
- Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
- Releases substances that might be harmful to plants - Coal or charcoal ash
- Might contain substances harmful to plants - Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs
- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies - Diseased or insect-ridden plants
- Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants - Fats, grease, lard, or oils
- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies - Meat or fish, bones and scraps
- Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies - Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)
- Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans - Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
- Might kill beneficial composting organisms
What a heap of… compost!
After successfully cooking the compost into beautiful nutrient rich “humus”, what should you do with it?Relax and have a cup of tea!
Ever heard of compost tea? I know you’re envisioning handfulls of compost steeping in your tea pot, which really isn’t that far from the truth! Once you’ve created your nutrient-rich compost, take advantage of the yummy nutrients hanging out in the soil water by creating your very own compost tea. This can be used as a natural fertilizer to water your garden with. Don’t worry, all of the nutrients will not be lost in your compost, it’ll still be a great application to your garden all on its own.There are a few different ways to get your tea:
If you’re serious about gardening there’s a nice website with instructions: Compost Tea As Easy As 1 2 3 .
Simpler methods involve filling up a bucket about 1/3 with compost then 2/3 water and letting it sit for a few days (4-5). Give it a stir once or twice each day and when it’s good and ready let the compost settle and pour the water off the top or strain it into another bucket through cheesecloth. This solution can be diluted and put into a sprayer or watering can to add to the soil or leaves immediately! The remaining material can go straight into the soil or back into the compost pile.
What if you have worms?
Water that is caught from moistening your vermicomposting bin can be used directly from the bin to water plants. This water has run through the soil and worms so it contains some of the nutrients left inbetween soil particles.Another method is steeping a handfull of compost in a few gallons of water for an extended period of time (at least 12 hours, but preferably two weeks). Make sure you remove your worms first or they’ll drown!
