Compost Bins - Composting

Composting in the backyard is the process of accelerated decomposition of organic materials. This process accelerates the natural process because the materials used for composting are deliberately placed together. The great thing about backyard composting is that you don’t have to look far for organic materials to be used.

Good compost will contain a mixture of Greens, which provide a good source of nitrogen, and Browns, which provide a good source of carbon.

Example of Greens

• Grass clippings
• Coffee grounds
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Egg shells
• Tea bags
• Grains
• Feathers
• Manure from healthy herbivores (i.e., horses rabbits, chickens)

(Avoid cow manure as it may contain E. Coli)

Examples of Browns

• Leaves
• Straw
• Yard waste
• Dried grass
• Wood ash (maybe from your outdoor fire pit)
  

Do Not Use

• Meats
• Dairy products
• Bones
• Fish
  
• Diseased plants
• Dog, cat, pig, or reptile manure
• Paper with colored ink
• Anything that may have come in contact with petroleum products, toxins, and non-biodegradable materials
  

Your compost bin should be started off will a layer of about 12 inches of Browns like dried leaves, then a 6 inch layer of greens like freshly cut grass, a small layer of kitchen scraps (keep a bucket close to the kitchen to collect these), and finally a thin layer of fresh and healthy dirt.  The dirt contains microbes that will help in the composting process.  Spray down the mixture with your hose but don’t soak it.  Getting it damp is good enough.  In about a week, come back and mix the materials.  You will find that the mixture that is in the center is warm or even hot.  This is a good thing because it’s a combination pressure, moisture, and oxygen that will activate the process.

If done properly, your compost should be ready for use in about 2 months. It will look similar to dark dirt and have no unusual odor. Your compost will be full of nitrogen and carbon and other nutrients that will help your garden or other organic projects root successfully and grow healthy.

Compost bin construction can be a fun and useful weekend project and you really don’t have to be much of a crafty person to construct a useful compost bin.  The video above should give you a fairly good idea of what is involved in composting and the materials needed for constructing a compost bin.

However, if you don’t have the time to build your own compost bin you can find many great designs that are ready for use as soon as you receive them.  If you are thinking about purchasing a compost bin, check out the great selections provided in this article.  A good choice would be one that has a tumbler since this would be the easiest method of mixing the composting materials.  Just remember, a successful composting project includes providing plenty of moisture and mixing the compost at least once a week.