Your Quick and Easy Guide to Composting
Compost is a gardeners gold to growing healthy plants, this all-natural organic benefits plants in so many ways, if your desire is to build a compost pile but you just don’t have the space then this guide will show you the quick and easy way of building a compost pile on a low budget and in no time you to can enjoy the many benefits of adding this natural-organic to your garden plant beds to reap the rewards or should I say a bountiful harvest (edible garden).
What you will need is a rubber trash can with a lid that’s able to lock to keep out rodents and other critters, the size of the can will determine the amount of compost you can make, so ensure the size of the container provides you with the amount of compost that’s manageable and what you need.
With a twist drill bit, that’s a 1/2 inch drill plenty of holes all along the sides, and the body of your trash, holes should be drilled at the bottom as well. These holes will provide air circulation all while speeding up the breakdown of organic materials. The garbage can be placed on bricks so it can be above the ground level, this will also allow free air movements at the bottom.
However, allowing your trash can to maintain contact with the ground can encourage the presence of earthworms to assist with the composting process. You can now add organic materials such as shredded paper, grass clippings, disease-free plant materials, dried leaves, and uncooked vegetable scraps can be added as well. Make sure to chop up the vegetable scrapes into small pieces that will help to speed up or brake down the vegetable scrapes.
Keep woody material and sticks out of your compost because they may not break down as quickly, keep your compost moist and every two weeks give it a turn. This can be achieved by placing your trash can on its size. Make sure first that the lid is completely closed and tightly locked. Now begin to roll your trash can around, or you can use a shovel and turn the organic material in your trash can. Make sure to do a thorough job so that everything is mixed, it’s more workable and manageable if the bin is not filled right up to the top so leave a few inches from the top free of organic materials.
How Long does it takes for Compost to be Completed
It all depends on the material that’s used and the amount of compost you’re working with, generally speaking, a compost pile can take anywhere from a few weeks or as long as one year or even longer.
Adding Organic Materials
Once you begin to use your compost you will have to replenish the organic materials, however, you should stop adding materials to allow the contents to fully convert into compost. A good idea would be to have several trash cans on hand to compost at various stages of decomposition. The reason for this is that while you’re using compost from one garage bin the other bins that contain freshly organic matter will be in their early stages of decomposition. This continual cycle will ensure that you have an almost endless supply of compost.
Additional Information
1. When adding organic materials to your trash can add equal parts for example if there are too many dry materials such as coffee grounds twigs, leaves, and shredded paper your compost pile will not generate sufficient heat which will slow down the decomposition process. But if there are too many green materials for example grass clippings, weeds, veggies, and fruit peels will encourage excess moisture causing the pile to smell because of being too wet. A ratio of 4:1 of browns to greens is ideal.
2. Decomposition can speed up by adding a handful of nitrogen fertilizer or a small amount of commercial composter starter, Compost starter includes a mixture of nitrogen and microorganisms that promote decomposition. The addition of a shovelful of garden soil that contains microorganisms will help break down the compost.
A word of Caution
Avoid placing dairy products or meat scrapes in your compost trash can which will encourage rodents such as rats and mice, the waste of domestics animals such as dogs, cats, etc…should be avoided as well which can spread harmful pathogens (disease) that will contaminate your compost.
The Benefits of Composting
- Composting consists of natural organics which make edible plants free of chemicals (synthetic fertilizers)
- Composting aids in discouraging soil erosion
- Recycling material
- Helps garden plants to retain the right amount of moisture
- Improves drainage
- Can deliver nutrients at the right time
- Reduce pollutants in stormwater
- Bacteria buildup of heat in compost can help in the elimination of weed seeds and pathogens
- Improves aeration
- Stabilises soil pH levels
- Helps to discourage disease and plants pests
- Reduce landfill cost
- Enriches soil and makes it healthier
- Reduce the need to purchase fertilizers which helps to save your hard-earned dollars
- Helps plants to build a stronger root system
The final word on how to build and use a trash can composter
Building a composter out of a trash can is that simple, even if you don’t have the space you can still compost by following this guide. Join the many who are having much success with this simple and easy way of composting. You will be so happy with the results as you supply your garden plants with this rich gold that has proven to be so beneficial to not only plant life but the environment as well.
Newsletter
Signup Today for Our Newsletter to Receive Up to Date Information on Herbs and Other Gardening News in the Industry.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.