\How To Start Your Own Compost

If you decide to start your own compost pile, it's a good idea to make a simple enclosure or bin for convenience and neatness. There are a variety of commercial compost bins or containers available at large home garden stores, or you can make your own. It is not difficult and the materials needed are few.

Most commercial compost bins have built in ways for turning the compost, or trays to make harvesting compost easier. These systems make it easier for consumers to make and use compost, but they aren't really needed. You just need items to create a basic enclosure. You might even have some in your garage or shed.

Most likely the only limitations in making your bin are the quantity of ingenuity and imagination you have. So search your garage or storage area for suitable materials and you will probably find them. You can use wood, tin or heavy plastics (nothing that has had toxic chemicals in it though).

Before beginning construction, keep in mind that you will need easy access to your pile to turn it over. You can do this weekly, much less frequently or not at all. Eventually you will need to harvest your "black gold". You can include a doorway, or make the walls removable.

Grab some chicken wire, metal fence supports and wire and you are good to go. You can also use wooden posts, pipes or pallets. Pick a location where you can water the pile if you need to, set up the supports, attach the chicken wire with wire, and you are the proud new owner of a compost bin! You can make it any shape that works for you, so round, square, rectangular or even a triangle will work. If you have any wood slats left over from old fencing or boards from an old shed, you will be able to build a sturdy bin. You will need to make sure that air can circulate by leaving spaces between the boards, or by placing a perforated pipe in the middle of the pile. This helps make the breakdown of the materials faster. If you have any boards left, you can make a door complete with hinges for easy access.

Another type of compost bin can be made from a garbage can. You can use an old can, because you will need to cut holes in it to promote air circulation. Add your composting materials, dampen them and then cover it. If it's summer, put the can in a sunny location, which will help speed up the decomposition process. You will need to turn the can over or roll it on its side to mix the materials probably once a week. Check to make sure it is damp enough at that time. Depending on ingredients and the weather, your compost should be ready in about 4-6 weeks.

Making your own compost bin is easy, as you can see. Just keep these basics in mind: air flow, easy access and dampening the pile if needed.