Composting
Compost bins and rain barrels for sale - Call the office at 513-887-3720 or E-mail
What is it? And, why should I do it?
Compost is one of nature's best mulches and soil amendments, and you can use it instead of commercial fertilizers. You can make it without spending a cent. Compost loosens clay soils, improves soil fertility, stimulates healthy root development in plants, improves soils capacity to hold water, and attracts earthworms and other beneficial microbes to your soil.
There are Two Ways to Compost.
- Traditional backyard composting, and
- Worm bin composting. Please see our worm composting page.
Traditional Composting
How Do I Compost in my Backyard?
Don’t worry, the hard work is done by bacteria and other decomposers. These decomposers can include sow bugs (roly-polies), worms, beetles and much more. The main thing you need to keep in mind are the four things your little composting buddies will need to do their work: air, water, warmth and a good balanced diet. Gather your materials (see below) and break them into small pieces. The smaller the pieces the quicker you will get finished compost. You can put the materials in a compost bin or just make a free standing pile.Make sure to keep the compost pile damp (not soaking wet), and occasionally mix the pile to add oxygen. As the decomposers get to work, the pile should start to heat up. The pile should not be any smaller than 3 x 3 x 3 foot to allow temperatures to rise.
Balanced Diet for the Compost: What Can I Compost?
Almost any organic material is suitable. The pile needs a balanced diet or mix of carbon-rich materials, or "browns," and nitrogen-rich materials, or "greens." This should be 3 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen for the optimum mix. These items can include
Green Stuff (Nitrogen rich)
- Grass Clippings
- Fruit & Veg Scraps
- Coffee Grounds
- Egg Shells
- Manure
Brown Stuff (Carbon rich)
- Hay
- Leaves
- Corncobs
- Vegetable stalks
- Sawdust
Do Not Compost these items as they can attract vermin, spread disease, and generally stink
- Meat
- Dairy
- Pet Waste
- Weeds
- Diseased Plants
- Big items (break them into small pieces)
Air
The bacteria and other microorganisms do the work for you: keep them happy
- Mix the pile to add air
- Prod the pile to add air- you can do this with the handle of a broom
- Place branches at the bottom of the pile before you build it to allow air to circulate
Water
The amount of water can significantly effect the amount of time it takes your compost to form. Think about the wetness of a wrung-out sponge, this is perfect for compost. Pick up a handful of of your compost and squeeze it. If there are no drips of water, it is too dry. If there is a lot of water, it is too wet. If there are just a few drops of water, it is perfect.
Temperature
The critters in your compost will generate heat, and that is a good thing. You can use a compost thermometer (looks like a really long meat thermometer) to measure the temperature. The optimum temperature range is 135 - 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If it remains at this temperature for several days then it will destroy pathogens and weed seeds. If your pile does not get to this temperature, it could be for several reasons:
- too wet or dry
- poor mix of materials (not the 3:1 ratio of carbon and nitrogen)
- Anerobic- not enough oxygen
- pile is too small 3 x 3 x 3 ft is the smallest recommended size
Where is the Best Location for My Compost Bin or Pile?
- Shady or protected site is best,as wind and sun will dry out the bin
- Within reach of a hose unless you want to carry water to the bin
- Not under trees as the roots will creep towards the compost. If you ever move the bin, you will have surface roots that can be easily damaged and are sometimes unsightly.
- Not against a wooden fence or building as the critters in your compost pile can't tell the difference between the compost and your fence.
How Long Does it Take?
There are two methods that bring very different time results.
Slow Method
This could take a year or two, but it is by far the easiest method. Just make the pile and ignore it!
Quick Method
This can produce compost in as little as a month or two. Make sure you have the optimum mix of 3 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen. Mix the pile often, moving the hot materials from the center of the pile to the outside. Remember to keep the materials moist and chop them into small pieces.
Types of Bin
There are many methods and devices to hold your compost. Compost bins, compost tumblers...you can even build your own compost bin. They range from simple and quite inexpensive to complex, even attractive containers that cost considerably more. There are several options here for you to choose from. Hopefully one will work for you and fit your lifestyle. Remember, that you do not even have to have a holding unit; you can just build a compost heap or pile.
Pallet Holding Systems:
- Build your own or buy assembled
- Advantages: Able to put units side by side for a 3-bin turning system (make finished compost while starting a new pile); pallets are cheap; large capacity.
- Disadvantages: Heavy & bulky to move; “static” systems have slower rate of composting; must be turned & watered often or will dry out; not critter-proof (use for yard waste only)!
Wire Mesh Holding Bin:
- Build your own out of chicken wire or buy complex coated mesh bins.
- Advantages: Rust & corrosion resistant; life expectancy 10-20 years,; cheap; easy to build; light weight.
- Disadvantages: Bin can be easily crushed or bent; tendency for materials to dry out; not critter-proof (use for yard waste only)!
Plastic Holding Bins:
- Size ranges from 10-13 cubic feet (80- 85 gallons)
- Advantages: Some bins come with base plates so they can be placed on back decks; compact size; resistant to pests; reduce moisture loss; come with lids. Some bins are insulated and winter resistant;
- Disadvantages: Limited holding capacity; relatively expensive; doors may not open easily to get finished compost; often difficult to turn.
- Examples are: Garden Gourmet, Super Composter, Earth Machine, Soilmaker/ Soilsaver.
Cinder Block Bin:
- Advantages: An easy do it yourself bin. When you stack your cinder blocks, you can leave small spaces between them to help with air flow. Very long lasting, large capacity, and can build side by side for a multi-bin system.
- Disadvantages: Not very attractive, can be expensive to purchase the blocks, and you do have to secure the blocks for safety. For safety, it is recommended that if you do not cement your cinder blcoks that you use some method of reinforcing the wall to stop it from collapsing on you. One method is to use rods and slot them down though the blocks holes into the soil.
Tumblers & turning units
- Advantages such as a high degree of pest resistance, easy turning, and finished compost in a short period of time.
- Disadvantages They do require careful attention to detail in order to achieve rapid composting. Tumblers are often very expensive ($150-$300). Keep in mind that with tumblers, compost is produced in batches, so you may have to stockpile fresh materials or buy a separate holding bin. Also, as with all tumblers that are off the ground, a compost starter (finished compost or a manufactured accelerator) is needed to introduce necessary microorganisms
- Examples are: Eco-Cycle base Tumbler, Tumbleweed Tumbler, and the Urban Compost Tumbler
3-Bin Turning Unit
- Advantages: A wood, wire, or cinder block three-bin turning unit can be used to quickly compost large amounts of yard, garden and kitchen wastes. They are sturdy, attractive and should last a long time.
- Disadvantages: Construction requires basic carpentry skills and tools, and can be relatively expensive to build.
Common Problems and Possible Solutions
Bad odor
Not enough air.........turn it more often
Material too wet.........add dry materials
Raw material smells.........handle raw materials promptly
Pile isn't decomposing quickly enough or generating enough heat
Too small.........mix new ingrdients into the pile
Material is too dry.........moisten and turn pile
Lack of oxygen.........turn pile more often
Lack of nitrogen.........add a nitrogen source
Want to Learn About Worm Bin Composting?
We also have information on this great worm composting system that you can do indoors.