Posts Tagged ‘Compost Bins’
| Bosmere K676 11 Cubic Foot Composter |
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| Retail Price: $99.99 |
| Amazon Price: $99.99 |
People use different compost bins for different types of compost and for convenience purposes. Double bins and three-bin systems are widely preferred. Still, there are others who find single bins very sufficient for their needs and don’t bother going out and turning it occasionally.
Second, determine what materials you will use to build your bin. Don’t forget to leave out some exposure to the elements as this is necessary for the process to take place. A rabbit hutch is ideal for a simple bin because it is almost good as ready. A combination of a 16-gauge, plastic coated wire mesh and some hardware cloths can be used too. Other materials that can be used for building compost bins include: hay bales, old cinder blocks or bricks, wooden pallets, and snow fencing.
Bricks and pallets are easy to procure and cost next to none. You can visit a demolition or construction site for reject bricks. Companies will gladly give out wooden pallets instead of paying for it to be disposed. You can stack these materials to form a square enclosure, leaving out spaces in between the blocks for ventilation.
If you lack the time or the skill to build it yourself, you can buy some very good ones online. They are available in different sizes and designs that can meet your needs and are very effective too.
To make compost you’ll need a compost bin. You can purchase one ready-made, or make your own. Commercially produced compost bins are readily available. They are often enclosed so that flies can’t get in and smells can’t get out. This may be a consideration if your garden is small. The bins have an open bottom which needs to be in direct contact with the soil to assist with drainage and enable worms and other organisms to enter and help in the composting process. Compost is easier to turn in larger bins. Cover each 4 inch (10 cm) layer of waste in these bins with a shovel full of soil. A sprinkle of lime or dolomite over each layer helps to speed up the process. Old garbage bins and boxes can be adapted to perform a similar function. For a class project with many students involved, building a compost bin may be preferable. The compost itself can be made in a number of ways. The simple method, which produces usable compost in about 3 to 6 months, is to mix waste with a little soil and turning the compost with a garden fork every couple of weeks. If you want to achieve faster results, layer your compost with alternate layers of waste and soil. Layers of waste should be no more than 4 to 6 inches (15 cm) deep with the coarsest material on the bottom. Alternate layers between green leafy material, dry leaves and twigs. Grass clippings and prunings should be placed in layers not more than 2 to 4 inches (5 cm to 10 cm) thick. Each layer of waste should be moistened and then …
