Start Your Own Compost Bin
Many people throw away heaps of fruit and vegetable scraps each and every day. What these people don’t realise is a compost bin would just love the scraps, not to mention it’s great for the environment.
Many people throw away heaps of fruit and vegetable scraps each and every day, what these people don’t realise is a compost bin would just love the scraps, not to mention it’s great for the environment. The trouble is many people have no idea how to start a compost bin of their own so I decided to create this article to help get you started.
Firstly you need to put your compost bin somewhere it’s accessible, as you will be trekking to and from it most days to keep adding your scraps, though it’s good to be aware it can become smelly and therefore shouldn’t be the centrepiece of your yard. When you’ve decided the prime location for your compost bin, you need to go to your local hardware store and buy a compost holder/container. There are many sizes to choose from and considering they always fill up quicker than people expect, it may be a great idea to get one that comes up to your waste. While you’re at the store you should also grab a compost starter.
Once you’re back home and the compost bin is all made up you should add some soil to it, pick soil from an area where you plan on putting the future compost. The reason you’re doing this, even if you’ve already added your compost starter, is so the garden doesn’t go into shock when you eventually add the compost to it. People that don’t do this often find the compost doesn’t really help the garden thrive, so don’t skip this step.
Now all you have left to do is add your scrap fruit and vegetables to the compost and watch it build up. It’s good to note that when the scraps look like they aren’t really moving it’s best not to add to anymore for a few days, sometimes the worms need a chance to catch up. If you follow these few simple steps you’ll soon find you have a nice amount of compost to add to your garden.
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Published in: Consumer Information
M A Bhanpurwala | Feb 23, 2009 | Reply
Compost Bin is nice concept
Bren Parks | Feb 23, 2009 | Reply
Wonderful idea…I remember my parents doing this in the garden….
KJC | Feb 23, 2009 | Reply
We Used to have compost bin but red ants kept getting into it. You would open the lid to add or water and the critters would come out and virtually try to eat you alive. Anyone have any ideas on how to keep the red ants out of the bin? I thought one of those solid units that you roll…but if there is a hole anywhere they are going to get in!
Olivia Reason | Feb 24, 2009 | Reply
I have long been meaning to start a compost bin- thanks for the info.
Grammar Nazi | Feb 24, 2009 | Reply
You wrote “waste” instead of “waist” toward the end of the second paragraph.
Juancav | Feb 24, 2009 | Reply
An innovative and green solution to gardens.
nutuba | Feb 24, 2009 | Reply
Great article — composting is an absolute must. Well done!
Don | Feb 24, 2009 | Reply
One thing worth mentioning is during any weather, even freezing cold if you remember this rule you can compost year round. Just remember brown, green, brown, green. If you layer this the microbes will have a chance to work more freely, even in winter when the worms are deep down in the ground.
Remember brown is leaves, bark or even peat. Green is any table scraps IE: lettuce or any green vegetables or even cut grass or weeds.
Cherylsgifts2go | Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
This was very well written. I have been composting for many years. Compost is one of the best natural nutrients you can give your plants.
Leslie | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
Good article.
Except, forget the compost starter. If you have a happy balance of Browns and Greens and enough moisture, the compost will heat up all on it’s lonesome. If you don’t have a happy balance, then the starter will heat it up and then fizzle out.
And you don’t even need an actual bin. A pile on the ground works just as good. But for neatness, try some cement blocks, or a use some old pallets to make a box.
Composting doesn’t have to cost any money to be very effective.
BTW, I’m a Washington state, Clark County Master Composter. Check to see if your county has a Master Composter program. They’re also free!
LeeBee | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
And you need worms. Lots of worms. They love coffee grounds and they eat like crazy.