How To Compost With A Bin

Are you struggling to choose the right composting bin for your gardening needs? Worry not, as this article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to compost with a bin. We will first look at the different types of composting bins available, their features, and what factors to consider when choosing one. From there, we will delve into the steps involved in successfully composting with a bin. By the end of this article, you will be a composting pro, and your garden will thank you for it.

Choosing the Right Composting Bin

Composting is essential for a healthy garden, and a bin is an effective tool to help you achieve this goal. There are different types of composting bins available, each with its unique features. The following are the most common types of composting bins:

1. Plastic Bins: these are the most popular type of composting bin due to their affordability, availability, and convenience. They are made of durable plastic and come in various sizes and shapes. Plastic bins are easy to use, move around, and provide good insulation, which enhances the composting process.
2. Wire Mesh Bins: these bins consist of a wire mesh that is formed into a cylinder or square. They are perfect for gardeners who have limited space and want to create compost quickly. However, wire mesh bins do not retain heat well, which may slow down the composting process.
3. Tumbling Composters: as the name suggests, these bins tumble the compost, which speeds up the composting process. They are ideal for gardeners who want to create compost quickly and do not have much space. Tumbling composters are also more efficient at mixing the compost, which results in a higher quality finished product.
4. Wooden Bins: these bins are attractive, durable, and provide good insulation, which enhances the composting process. Wooden bins come in different sizes and shapes, but they can be expensive compared to plastic bins. They also require regular maintenance to prevent rotting.

When choosing a composting bin, consider factors such as the size of your garden, the amount of waste you generate, and your budget. Choose a bin that will fit your needs and make composting a breeze.

Setting Up Your Composting Bin

Setting up your composting bin correctly is crucial to ensure successful composting. Here are the steps to help set up your composting bin:

1. Choose the Right Location: Your composting bin should be placed in a suitable location. Your composting bin should be placed in a shaded area that is easily accessible to add materials but away from direct sunlight. It should also be in an area with good air circulation.
2. Add Brown Materials: Brown materials are items like dried leaves, sawdust, and cardboard. Add a thick layer of brown materials to the bottom of your bin. This helps with drainage and prevents the bottom of the bin from getting too wet.
3. Add Green Materials: Green materials are items like kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and fresh leaves. Add green materials on top of the brown layer.
4. Add Soil: Add a thin layer of soil on top of the green materials. Soil introduces microorganisms that help break down waste material and create a rich compost.
5. Add Water: Moisture is essential for composting. Add enough water to dampen the materials, but not too much that the compost becomes soggy.
6. Mix and Turn: To help your compost decompose evenly, it needs to be mixed and turned. Use a garden fork or compost turning tool to mix the materials together. This also helps with aeration.
7. Continue Building Layers: Add more layers of brown and green materials, soil, and water. Alternate between brown and green materials to ensure a good balance.
8. Cover Your Bin: Covering your bin helps to retain moisture and to keep animals out. You can use a tarp or a lid for this.
9. Monitor and Adjust: Keep an eye on the compost and adjust as needed. If it's too dry, add more water. If it smells bad, add more brown materials. You want to maintain a good balance between brown and green materials, moisture, and aeration.

Once your composting bin is set up, it's important to maintain it properly. You need to turn it regularly to help break down the materials and ensure proper aeration. With patience and dedication, you can produce nutrient-rich compost that can be used to enrich your soil, grow plants and vegetables, and reduce waste.

What to Compost and What Not to Compost

One of the most important aspects of composting is knowing what you can and cannot compost. Properly composting materials will yield nutrient-rich soil, while improper composting can result in harmful toxins and pests. Here are some guidelines on what to compost and what not to compost:

1. Compostable Items:
• Fruit and vegetable scraps (excluding citrus)
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Eggshells
• Nut shells (excluding walnut shells)
• Grass clippings and yard waste
• Leaves and twigs
• Shredded paper and cardboard
• Wood chips and sawdust
• Manure (from non-carnivorous animals)
• Seaweed and kelp
2. Non-Compostable Items:
• Meat and dairy products
• Bones
• Fats, oils, and grease
• Citrus and other acidic foods
• Processed foods
• Plastic and synthetic materials
• Coal and charcoal ashes
• Non-biodegradable materials
• Invasive weeds or plants treated with pesticides

While this is not a comprehensive list, it provides a good starting point for what can and cannot be composted. By being conscientious of what materials you add to your compost bin, you can ensure that your soil is healthy and free of toxins and pests.

Maintaining Your Composting Bin

So, you've got yourself a composting bin, and you're all ready to start turning your food scraps, lawn clippings, and other organic material into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Congratulations! But it's important to remember that in order to ensure you get the most out of your bin, you'll need to maintain it properly. Here are some tips to help you keep your composting bin in top condition:

1. Keep it moist

   One of the most important things you can do to maintain your composting bin is to keep it moist. Your compost needs water to break down properly, but you don't want it to be too wet or it can become anaerobic (lacking oxygen) and start to produce foul odors. Aim for a consistency that resembles a damp sponge - not too dry, but not too soggy.

2. Stir it up

   To help your compost break down more quickly and evenly, you'll want to stir it up on a regular basis. Use a pitchfork or a specialized composting tool to turn over the material in your bin, bringing the fresher material from the top down to the bottom and mixing it with the older material. This process helps to introduce more oxygen to the compost, which is essential for the decomposition process.

3. Avoid meat, dairy, and fats

   While many food scraps are great for composting, there are certain things you'll want to avoid adding to your bin. Specifically, you should steer clear of meat, dairy, and fatty foods, which can attract pests and rodents and can take a long time to break down properly. Stick to fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and dry leaves for best results.

4. Check the temperature

   Compost needs heat to break down effectively, and one way to tell if your bin is working properly is to monitor its temperature. Use a compost thermometer to check the temperature of your compost pile - it should be between 120-160°F to ensure that all the material is breaking down satisfactorily. If the temperature is too low, you may need to add more nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings to help speed up the process.

5. Use it regularly

   Finally, make sure you use your compost regularly as you produce it. Once your compost is rich and dark and has a pleasant earthy smell, it's ready to use in your garden. Spread it on your flower beds or vegetable garden and watch your plants thrive!

Troubleshooting Common Composting Issues

Composting is a simple process that can go somewhat awry fairly quickly. Here are some of the most common issues that beginner composters might run into and how to correct them.

1. Odor: If your compost has a strong odor, it’s probably too wet. Turn it and add some dry carbon materials like shredded leaves or newspaper to absorb the excess moisture. Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods because they can create a strong odor and attract pests.
2. Pests: If you have unwelcome visitors in your compost bin, such as raccoons, flies, or maggots, it’s because they are attracted to the smell. Try covering your bin with a tight-fitting lid, adding more brown materials like shredded newspaper or dry leaves, and avoid adding meat, dairy, and oily foods.
3. Slow Decomposition: If your compost is taking a long time to break down, it could be because it’s too dry or doesn’t have enough nitrogen-rich “green” materials. To correct this issue, add some water if your compost is too dry, and add more “green” materials, such as grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, or coffee grounds.
4. Acidic Compost: If your compost is acidic, it’s probably because it has too much nitrogen-rich “green” material and not enough carbon-rich “brown” material. Add more dry leaves or shredded paper to balance the pH levels.
5. Hot Compost: If your compost is too hot (above 140 °F), it could be because it has too much nitrogen-rich material. Turn your compost more frequently and add more brown materials to balance the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio.

With these quick fixes at your disposal, your compost bin should be running smoothly in no time. Remember that composting takes time, so be patient and enjoy the process!

Harvesting and Using Your Compost

After several months of adding kitchen scraps and yard waste to your compost bin, the material should start to break down into a rich, dark compost. Here are the steps for harvesting and using your compost.

1. Stop adding new material: A few weeks before you want to harvest your compost, stop adding new material to the bin. This will give the compost time to finish breaking down the existing material.
2. Remove the finished compost: Use a pitchfork or shovel to remove the finished compost from the bottom of the bin. Be careful not to disturb any material that's still decomposing.
3. Screen the compost (optional): If you want a finer, more uniform compost, you can screen it through a mesh screen or piece of hardware cloth.
4. Apply the compost: Compost is a valuable soil amendment that can be used in many ways. Here are a few suggestions:
• Mix compost into the soil before planting to improve soil structure and fertility.
• Top-dress garden beds and container plants with an inch or two of compost to provide a slow-release source of nutrients.
• Use compost as mulch around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and add nutrients to the soil.
• Incorporate compost into potting mixes to improve drainage and nutrient content.
5. Store any remaining compost: If you have more compost than you need, you can store it for later use. Store compost in a cool, dry place in a bin or container with a lid to prevent it from drying out or absorbing moisture.
6. Start a new batch of compost: Once you've harvested your finished compost, it's time to start a new batch with fresh material. Add it to the bin and start the process all over again!

By following these simple steps, you can turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into a valuable resource for your garden and plants. Happy composting!