How to start a compost bin in your back yard

How to start a compost bin in your back yard.

Before you begin your composting adventure you want to decide on a good location for your compost bin. Choose a semi-shaded area with easy access to water. You may want to keep the bin away from your living space as odors can develop if the compost is not properly aerated. You can buy bins that have devices for turning and removing compost or you can do the turning by hand. Turning a compost pile is great exercise, but it can be quite a workout for those of us that aren't used to heavy labor.

Automated bins make turning easier and are more convenient but you do not need a pre fabricated bin if you want to make your own. To make you own bin simply make an enclosure using chicken wire and stakes or hammer together five wood pallets (one for the bottom and one for each side). That should be enough space for a 3ft x3ft pile. Remember you want to have easy access if you are manually turn your pile.

Now that you have your compost location and bin start with a simple layer of grass clipping. You can also use leaves but run your mower over them first to break them down before you add to your pile. With your bottom layer in place begin to add some kitchen waste like banana peels, eggshells, old lettuce leaves, apple cores, coffee grounds, and whatever else is available. Do not use meat or fatty food waste. Keep adding materials until you have a six-inch layer, and then cover it with three to six inches of soil, manure, or finished compost.

Continue to alternate layers of organic matter, layers of soil or manure until the pile till the pile is three ft in high and three ft wide. This creates conditions that will begin to generate “heat” as the pile decomposes and the process results in a rich organic sterilized compost that can be used in potting, topping off lawns or as a additives to improved soil for gardens.

You can “turbo charge” your compost pile with activators to get the pile working and speeding up the decomposition process. Sprinkle on some activator and water between layers. Alfalfa meal, manure, or good rich compost from a finished pile are all good activators.

Now that your pile is growing keep it moist but not wet and turn it frequently. Make a small shallow puddle in the top of the pile to hold water and irrigate when it appears dry. You want your compost in semi shaded area but avoid being too close to trees as the roots will naturally be drawn to the compost pile as a food source. If your pile is near a tree, turn it frequently to make sure the tree roots don't grow into it.

This effort will result in you having a rich source of growth medium for your flower container gardens, vegetables and lawns. See you in the garden!