Do you want to reduce the amount of trash you send to the landfill? Are you an avid gardener and you would like to make your own quality fertilizer? Have you been reading about being Green and want an easy way to start? Try a home composting bin and make your own compost.
Why Make Your Own Compost?
Compost consists of partially broken down organic material. Microbes break down organic matter and the result is compost. This is what your plants (in pots or in garden beds) want, to be able to thrive. Compost contains nutrients that your plants need. In addition, it can serve as an insulator, like mulch.
Making your own compost ensures that you know what goes into your garden. If you are a fan of organic gardening, you will want to control what soil amendments go into your garden. Making your own compost allows you to monitor what your plants use to grow, while reducing the waste that you put into the sewer or landfill.
Types Of Home Composting Bins
The smallest home composting bins are kitchen composters. These bins collect your kitchen scraps and often contain filters to control odors. When your kitchen bin gets full, you can take it out to the large bin in your yard, using biodegradable bags.
For outdoor use, the most basic home composting bin can be constructed of old shipping pallets. More convenient bins come with ways to assist your mixing efforts. Some are tumblers with handles that you can turn. Others rock back and forth. Still others are set up so you put new material in one end and as you rotate the bin, finished material comes out the other end.
Where to Put Your Home Composting Bins
Home Composting Bins
Because you need adequeate drainage, put your bin on bare dirt. It would be best to put your bin in a warm spot that is sheltered from the elements, but it is not a strict requirement.
Make sure you leave adequate room around your bins for a wheelbarrow. You will need this space for filling and emptying your home composting bins. Adding a large amount of organic material at once helps your compost process by heating it up faster.
How To Use Your Home Composting Bins
1. Find a good location for your bins, as described above.
2. Put organic materials into your bin. Examples include lawn clippings and leaves, veggie scraps and peelings, coffee grounds and vacuum cleaner dust. Be careful not to mash your materials down to make extra room. Air is necessary for good processing.
3. Periodically, mix up the material in your home composting bins. If your bin does not rotate, you can use a pitchfork or a shovel to do this. Mixing your material will add air that is necessary for efficient processing.
4. If you find that your mixture seems dry, add some water. Too much water will make smelly slime, but you need some moisture. Be sure to mix the bin after adding water.
5. Empty the compost from the bin when it is finished processing. It takes several months to a year to process. You will know it is finished wehn you cannot recognize anything that you put in and the material is dark.
Your own compost pile at home is a great way to start organic gardening and save on soil amendments. Purchasing a home compost bin can make the job easier by adding the convenience of indoor storage of organic matter or easing the mixing process. Go green and purchase some home composting bins today!
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.