Compost bins and compost piles
Home composting from the very comforts of your yard can be done regardless of what your way of living is or how big your yard space is. Your intentions of creating compost will easily adapt to your surroundings since it can be done through several approaches. The production of compost can be done using a compost bin, or can also be arranged by creating a compost heap. A compost heap is an open pile wherein organic wastes can be packed in and buried.
Backyard Composting Preparations
If you have biodegradable items at home (all except the meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, and citrus-based products), then have these collected for composting. You’ll be amazed at how these organic wastes can be broken down by just the presence of air, heat, moisture, and live microbes. Now it would also be best to get a composting bin that will accommodate the quantity of wastes that you intend to compost. But for starters, you can try using a make shift composter, like a Rubbermaid trashcan. It’s the perfect bin as it already goes with a cover. And as soon as you’re done, prepare the container by drilling evenly spaced holes on the base and top of the bin. This will allow for the proper flow of air and excess moisture into the bin.
Let’s get composting!
Make sure that you don’t place any of the prohibited organic matter into your bin or compost pile. Remember that you also have neighbors nearby. They might not like the very sight or smell of a project gone wrong. So make sure that you select the materials that will be put into the bin or pile. Also ensure that the organic leftover’s that goes into your compost system are moistened (a soaking wet compost will create a stench!), and also something that has a balanced mix of nitrogen and carbon-rich pieces.
Creating a balance in your compost
When vermicomposting or plain backyard composting, always ensure that a good balance of ‘greens’ and ‘browns’ are mixed into the compost system. Also make certain that you have these organic pieces shredded or cut into smaller bits first. Not only will this technique hasten the decomposition process, this will also reduce the bulk from your bin or pile. Of course, the less bulk there is, the more organic matter can be added. Now after this step, proceed by adding some water to moisten the compost. You will then have to keep your compost materials aerated regularly to constantly introduce air into the system. This method is essential because the live organisms and microbes that live in the compost rely on the oxygen to subsist. These beings are in fact, the ones that are responsible in converting the scraps into a nutritious fertilizer and soil conditioner. So make sure they are thriving and are always well provided for.