Compost Bins - Compost Starts In Your Yard

Compost Bins Article

Compost Starts In Your Yard

Using Compost Bins to Produce Compost Fast

Compost bins are containers used to create compost. Usually, these bins are made of hard plastic. They come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from simple square slatted enclosures to complex tumblers, which allow the pile to be turned for aeration purposes. Today, landfills are brimming of household trash and the problem of waste disposal is getting worse. Fortunately, you can help minimize waste through composting.

Compost can enrich your soil. It’s considered as one of nature’s finest mulches since it can improve the soil’s structure, texture, and aeration. Also, it helps increase the water-holding capacity of the soil. Present in compost is organic matter, which serves as food for microorganisms. In turn, microorganisms help maintain a healthy and balanced soil condition. Using compost is inexpensive, so it’s a good idea to use it instead of commercial fertilizers.

Unearth black gold from yard compost (Bradenton Herald)Unearth black gold from yard compost (Bradenton Herald)
You may have heard the term "black gold" in your lifetime. While it is most often associated with oil, gardeners worth their salt will associate the phrase with compost. Compost is that dark, crumbly, organic material that is often a prerequisite for the green thumb.

It’s not hard to make compost. With organic materials, you can already create compost. But, you have to follow a specific ratio of carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich materials if you want to speed up the process of composting. Nitrogen-rich materials are also known as “greens”. They are fresh and green, such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps. Meanwhile, carbon-rich materials are known as “browns” and examples are dried leaves, straw, and wood chips.

The proportion and mix of your compost’s materials can affect the composting process. You should follow the carbon to nitrogen ratio of 25 to 30 parts browns to 1 part greens to achieve the ideal environment for composting. Too much nitrogen may bring about a foul odor while excess carbon could slow down the decomposition process. The microbes are provided energy by the carbon and protein by the nitrogen.

You can use pine needles to add to your compost. However, they have to be shredded or chopped since they decompose slowly. Using grass clippings is also good, provided that they do not contain pesticide or herbicide residue. It is best to allow grass clippings to bake in the sun for at least a day to avoid clumping and emitting an awful smell. They break down easily and contain the same amount of nitrogen as manure.

Dispatch From GreenbuildDispatch From Greenbuild
These greeniacs who took over the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center this week are sharp.

You can also use kitchen refuse to add to your compost. Add carrot peelings, tea bags, banana peels, apple cores and melon rinds into your pile. However, don’t use meat, meat or dairy products, and high-fat foods like salad dressing and peanut butter. The meat is likely to attract pests because of its awful smell. You can also use eggshells, but for them to decompose fast, crush them beforehand.

In order to hasten decomposition or save space, it’s best to contain compost in bins. Using compost bins is more advantageous than just creating loose piles. This is because the pile is easier to manage and easier to turn around, thus allowing bacterial activity and aeration, which is crucial for faster composting. Also, it helps keep out rodents and other pets from the compost pile. The foul odor that may result from composting is also contained inside the bin.

Using compost can help improve the condition of your soil. You can save money by using it instead of commercial fertilizers. And, you can help lessen household waste and as a result, contribute to the community in your own simple way. Just make sure to keep the right ratio of browns and greens in mind. Using compost bins is a good idea if you want to speed up the composting process and keep your place looking neat and smelling clean.

Compost Bins on Flickr - Photo Sharing!Compost Bins on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
During one of our Monday night dumpster dives we found a pretty decent 55 gallon drum that had been cut in half. Wendy busted out the plasma cutter this morning so that she could insert "breather holes" for our compost.

Holy Scrap Hot Springs: Compost BinsHoly Scrap Hot Springs: Compost Bins
Compost Bins Originally uploaded by mikeysklar. During one of our Monday night dumpster dives we found a pretty decent 55 gallon drum that had been cut in half. Wendy busted out the plasma cutter this morning so that she could insert ...

Compost Bins - Compost Starts In Your Yard

Compost Starts In Your Yard

Compost Bins Resources

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