Difference between revisions of "Build a Compost Bin"
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===Building a General-Purpose Compost Bin=== | ===Building a General-Purpose Compost Bin=== | ||
#Gather your materials. For this basic compost bin, you'll want untreated wood. Untreated wood will last for a plenty long time, and the treatment won't interfere with the composting process or overwhelm helpful fauna. Cedar is a great option. You'll need: | #Gather your materials. For this basic compost bin, you'll want untreated wood. Untreated wood will last for a plenty long time, and the treatment won't interfere with the composting process or overwhelm helpful fauna. Cedar is a great option. You'll need: | ||
| − | #*Four pieces of 2 x 2s or 4 x 4s lumber, cut to 3' lengths. These posts will serve as the four corners to your square compost bin. Opt for rough, unplaned wood.<ref>http://eartheasy.com/grow_compost_bin_build.htm</ref> | + | #*Four pieces of 2 x 2s or 4 x 4s lumber, cut to 3' lengths. These posts will serve as the four corners to your square compost bin. Opt for rough, unplaned wood.<ref name="rf17026">http://eartheasy.com/grow_compost_bin_build.htm</ref> |
#*8-16 pieces of 2 x 6 lumber, again cut to 3' length. These boards will make up the walls of your compost bin. Most compost bins have spaces between the exterior boards for aeration; how big you want your spaces to be will depend on whether you use 8, 12, or 16 pieces of lumber. | #*8-16 pieces of 2 x 6 lumber, again cut to 3' length. These boards will make up the walls of your compost bin. Most compost bins have spaces between the exterior boards for aeration; how big you want your spaces to be will depend on whether you use 8, 12, or 16 pieces of lumber. | ||
#*9 square foot cover, preferably made of solid wood. A solid cover will help maintain a more consistent internal temperature for your compost bin. | #*9 square foot cover, preferably made of solid wood. A solid cover will help maintain a more consistent internal temperature for your compost bin. | ||
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=== Using Your Compost Bin === | === Using Your Compost Bin === | ||
#Put anything into your compost bin except the following materials. All organic matter will eventually decompose if you give it enough time. Grass, garden clippings, leftover fruits and vegetables, and certain animal manure are all fair game for your compost bin. Less advised is throwing meat, bones, and dairy (cheese, etc.) into the compost heap. Animal manure like cow and chicken manure is fine, but try to avoid cat or dog manure. | #Put anything into your compost bin except the following materials. All organic matter will eventually decompose if you give it enough time. Grass, garden clippings, leftover fruits and vegetables, and certain animal manure are all fair game for your compost bin. Less advised is throwing meat, bones, and dairy (cheese, etc.) into the compost heap. Animal manure like cow and chicken manure is fine, but try to avoid cat or dog manure. | ||
| − | #Know your greens and browns. Green compostable materials, which contain essential sources of nitrogen, include grasses, garden clippings, and green leaves.<ref>http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/carbonnitrogenratio.html</ref> They are mostly moist. Brown compostable materials, which contain carbon-rich materials, include drier materials such as hay, twigs, and shredded cardboard. A mix of two parts green to one part brown is the ideal compost ratio.<ref | + | #Know your greens and browns. Green compostable materials, which contain essential sources of nitrogen, include grasses, garden clippings, and green leaves.<ref name="rf17027">http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/carbonnitrogenratio.html</ref> They are mostly moist. Brown compostable materials, which contain carbon-rich materials, include drier materials such as hay, twigs, and shredded cardboard. A mix of two parts green to one part brown is the ideal compost ratio.<ref name="rf17027" /> |
#*You don't have to be exact with your ratios. As long as you don't have an abundance of greens or an abundance of browns, your compost should turn out nutrient-rich and successful. | #*You don't have to be exact with your ratios. As long as you don't have an abundance of greens or an abundance of browns, your compost should turn out nutrient-rich and successful. | ||
| − | #Shred your materials up for expedited composting. If you want to speed up the pace of your compost cycle, make sure to shred your materials before adding them to the bin. Grass clippings, of course, come pre-shredded, but you may want to put your twigs, hay, and other dry matter through the shredder in order to enlarge its surface area.<ref>http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_particle_size.htm</ref> The larger the surface area, the more the small animals and bacteria can process. | + | #Shred your materials up for expedited composting. If you want to speed up the pace of your compost cycle, make sure to shred your materials before adding them to the bin. Grass clippings, of course, come pre-shredded, but you may want to put your twigs, hay, and other dry matter through the shredder in order to enlarge its surface area.<ref name="rf17028">http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_particle_size.htm</ref> The larger the surface area, the more the small animals and bacteria can process. |
#Pay attention to heat and moisture in your compost pile. In order to get the composting kickstarted, your pile needs to be hot and wet. The two biggest problems a compost system encounters are lack of heat and lack of moisture. These affect the composting process in different ways. | #Pay attention to heat and moisture in your compost pile. In order to get the composting kickstarted, your pile needs to be hot and wet. The two biggest problems a compost system encounters are lack of heat and lack of moisture. These affect the composting process in different ways. | ||
#*Try to keep the internal heat of your compost bin at {{convert|110|F}} or higher. Between {{convert|110|F}} and {{convert|140|F}} is the ideal temperature for your pile. If your pile dips below {{convert|110|F}}, consider adding more green nitrogen-rich material or more water. | #*Try to keep the internal heat of your compost bin at {{convert|110|F}} or higher. Between {{convert|110|F}} and {{convert|140|F}} is the ideal temperature for your pile. If your pile dips below {{convert|110|F}}, consider adding more green nitrogen-rich material or more water. | ||
