The compost bin happens to be a healthy addition to any garden out there. Decomposition happens in a natural way; however, the process will be accelerated by composting which is done by creating an environment that is ideal for the development of microorganisms and bacteria. Instances of decomposing organisms are bacteria, worms, fungi, sowbugs, and so forth. They require the supply of carbon, moisture, oxygen, and nitrogen in order to survive. Brown materials are full of carbon and this includes paper, fallen leaves, plus small twigs. Green materials like food waste and grass clippings are rich in nitrogen. The resultant compost happens to be humus which is full of nutrients that offers sustenance to the plants. Once started, it will not be difficult to maintain a compost bin whatsoever.
How Does A Compost Bin Work?
You’ll come across different types of compost bins out there. These are of different types since different households have different requirements in terms of making their own compost. They might be doing so either to fertilize their gardens in an affordable manner or to help the environment in general.
It is important for several factors to be present while making compost: proper ventilation, heat, as well as moisture. This will aid the compost cultures which help it to decompose by eating at the waste. In a conventional compost pile, the moisture and the heat are going to depend on the weather; however, the property owners can help in proper ventilation by mixing the pile manually. This will also assist the fresh waste to decompose quicker.
Despite the fact that a compost bin helps to keep the compost pile while retaining the moisture and the heat, it likewise makes it difficult to mix; and that is why compost tumblers were manufactured. A tumbler is going to combine the functionality of the bin with that of the mixing drum. Homeowners might blend the waste inside simply by rolling the drum.
There are some individuals who prefer the contribution made by worms when it comes to the compost-making procedure, and they can also purchase compost bins meant for worm composting that are designed in a different way, unlike the other compost bins. The reason for this is that in worm composting, the worm castings have to be harvested that is left behind once the waste is consumed by the worms.
With the advancement of technology, you will also come across automated compost bins performing all the manual labor which is required for maintaining a tumbler or bin. An automated compost bin helps to create moisture, heat, and ventilation rather than simply retaining them, and this helps to make the process quite fast.
What to Put in a Compost Bin?
As mentioned before, there are many reasons why you might want to go for composting. It is a fantastic way for property owners to help the environment effectively. It will help to reduce the garbage out there and also prepare you for some robust vegetables and fruits in the garden. However, nothing will be achievable in case you have no idea regarding what to compost. While preparing the compost, it is important to keep in mind that the proper mixture of carbon and nitrogen is very important here.
Preparing compost will involve much more than simply combining all types of trash in one single area. A perfect combination will help to create the ideal environment for the useful microorganisms that will help to decompose organic matter. Here, we will talk about this particular combination by first describing what carbons actually are. You require this component in the bin for maintaining the curb moisture levels. It likewise prevents the compost bin from becoming excessively hot.
Ideal carbons will consist of the following:
- Dried out veggies
Here, the interesting thing to note is that red worms happen to be the leader of this particular group of microorganisms. Although everybody does not have the required space for maintaining a tumbler or compost pile on their properties, they will not require much space for creating compost whatsoever. This is exactly where the bin comes into action.
You will require the red worms to break down organic matter given that there is not enough space available to you. Comprehending precisely what you should place inside the compost bin might indicate the difference between a fantastic worm food and simply wastage of time. Moreover, an environment with only carbons will likewise be wastage of time as well. For this reason, it will also require nitrogen in the mixture.
Here, we have provided some examples:
- Fresh grass cuttings
- Green kitchen scraps
- Excrements of chicken and rabbits
The example which we have cited at last can simply be the outer lining of a birdcage or a rabbit cage. It will be a sensible idea to make use of soiled guinea pig or hamster bedding while making the compost. There is a high concentration of phosphorus in the urine and this provides you with huge blooms. In case plants are consumed by the animals on most occasions, do not hesitate to use it. When it comes to the kitchen scraps, they are going to be your potato peelings and strawberry tops. In case it developed from the soil, make use of it. Refrain from putting eggs, meats, or even cooked vegetables in as the worm food. These are going to attract only the wrong pests, and it will not be possible for you to make the compost whatsoever. It will be okay to make use of crushed eggshells; however, stay away from citrus peels since they are going to repel the microorganisms.
While preparing the compost, it is important to bear in mind that you should not allow the interior part of the bin to become moist. Add some carbons in case it becomes excessively wet. Never allow the nitrogen level to exceed the level of carbon. This will destroy the red worms and your compost bin will produce only undesirable leachate. Try to add small things and this would help to get the job done quicker. It will be a sensible idea to have more surface area for decomposition. This will help the red worms to produce much quicker and this will enable your bin to aerate effectively.
What NOT to Put in a Compost Bin?
There are some things you shouldn’t put in your compost bin. These are:
- Meats, fish, and bones
- Citrus peels
- Dairy products
- Cooked food
- Cat litter
- Dog feces
How Does Compost Help The Environment?
As we mentioned earlier, composting will help to produce an exceptionally thick natural and organic product by making use of a natural process called aerobic decay. Basically, composting refers to the continual and gradual rotting process of different organic and natural products which consist of garden clippings, tree leaves, small branches, and sticks, as well as other similar waste products that take place in our daily life.
Gardeners across the planet comprehend that compost happens to be a fantastic garden soil conditioner as well as an additive which will help in enhancing the efficiency and also the functionality related to virtually any type of topsoil.
Digging into aerobic compost in the existing soil of your garden will help to make it healthier and richer, thus helping plant life develop faster as well as stronger over time. This will also assist the earth in many ways ranging from the production of food items irrigation.
What The Best Place Is For A Garden Compost Bin?
While placing the compost bin in the garden, the best place can be figured out by considering the distance from the back door. However, while calculating the distance, it will also be imperative for you to consider the distance to the primary veggie patch given that it is typically the main source of green waste out there. In case you cart this particular material even several meters to the compost bins you will need to work much more in the long run. Therefore, if you aren’t running chickens, it will be advisable for you to place the bins within or just adjacent to the main vegetable patch.
Here we like to mention that in case you do not have any garden for placing a compost bin, several cities will provide you with compost pickup services as well. In fact, plenty of small startup companies are emerging throughout the country for providing these types of pickup services. On most occasions, these companies are going to provide you with a small bucket or bin, or you might easily come across a bin for storing the compost in.
Thus it is clear by going through the above-mentioned facts that in case you’d like to go for a healthy garden, the best solution will be to add compost to the soil. In fact, this compost is going to add the much-required nutrients which your plants will require for surviving. Although many individuals think the job of making compost to be quite difficult, it is not the case in real life. You simply need to understand the fact that Mother Nature is going to take all the materials which are going to fall on the floor of the garden; even if you simply throw your weeds and grass in the compost bin and do nothing else, it will turn to compost in the long run. Therefore, make it a point to simply place the compost bin in a convenient spot in your garden and begin to throw in your yard waste. That’s all!