How to start a compost bin quickly?

Question

I am wondering exactly how to go about starting a new compost pile in our yard. How do I build a wire cage, what do I need to add to the pile to hasten the decomp? Any hints and tips would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Go to your local hardware store or home center. Get some 1/2 inch galvanized hardware cloth- not chicken wire. It comes in 3-4 foot widths. Get a twelve foot length which will give you a four foot diameter compost bin. Also get some wire or cable ties to fasten the ends of the cloth together, or you can use wire or rope. This will give you a sturdy bin that will last several seasons at least. You can make a smaller diameter bin by using a shorter length of hardware cloth. Make several to use when turning your compost bins.

As far as getting things cooking, you want to have a good mixture of green and brown material. The green stuff is grass clippings, kitchen waste, yard waste, etc and contains nitrogen. The brown stuff is dead leaves, stems, etc and contains mostly carbon. You can add high nitrogen sources such as animal manures (horse, cow, rabbit, but not dog or cat) fish emulsion,or blood meal to jump start the process, but these items usually cost something unless you have a free source.

Check out our page on composting at-
http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.com/compost.html

Answer 2

To get hot fast decomposition a C:N ratio of 30:1 is ideal
A rule of thumb on C:N ratio is about ¼ - ½ of the pile volume nitrogen materials and ½ - ¾ carbon materials.
Calculating the bins actual input depends on carbon to nitrogen ratio.
Example of determining C:N ratio (2-input pile):

You have 5 pounds of grass clippings (20:1).
You have 5 pounds of leaves (40:1).
You have a total of 10 lbs. of material: 50% are grass, 50% are leaves.

Multiply the % of grass by the C:N ratio of grass, add the multiplication of the % of leaves by the C:N ratio of leaves.

(50% x 20/1) + (50% x 40/1)=

10 + 20 = 30 ---> which in fraction notation is 30/1 or 30:1.

The C:N ratio is 30:1.

Example of determining materials needed by weight (2-input pile):

You have 5 pounds of rotted manure (25:1) and you want to know how much corn stalks (60:1) in weight to add to get the optimum 30:1 ratio.

Set the unknown variable, weight of cornstalks needed, to equal "W".
Set the total weight of the pile equal to "T".
The % of the total pile by weight represented by cornstalks will be = W/T.
Therefore, the weight of the rotted manure will equal (T - W) = 5 lbs.
The % of the total pile by weight represented by manure will be 5/T.

Fill these variables and the known 30:1 target ratio into the equation from the first example. In other words, multiply the % of manure by the C:N ratio of manure, add the multiplication of the % of cornstalks by the C:N ratio of cornstalks, equal to a ratio of 30/1.

(5/T x 25/1) + (W/T x 60/1) = 30/1 ---> Perform basic math to reduce the equation.

125/T + 60W/T = 30
125+60W=30T
since T = (5 + W), 125 + 60W = 150 + 30W
30W = 25
W = 25/30 = .83 lbs. of cornstalks required

To check, put back into original equation:
W = .83, T = 5.83, Percent of total weight in manure = 5/5.83 = 86%, 100-86 = 14% for cornstalks.

(86% x 25/1) + (14% x 60/1) =
21.5 + 8.4 = 29.9 ( 30 due to rounding)

Materials with High Nitrogen Values read C:N
Vegetable Wastes 20-25:1
Coffee Grounds 20
Grass Clippings 15
Cow Manure 30
Horse Manure 25
Horse Manure (with Litter) 30 -60
Poultry Manure (Fresh) 10
Poultry Manure (with Litter) 15
Pig Manure 10

Materials with High Carbon Value
Foliage (Leaves) 40-60:1
Corn Stalks 60
Straw 40-100
Bark 100-130
Paper 150-200
Wood Chips and Sawdust 150-200

Answer 3

I think if you buy some chicken wire, and have a few pieces of wood to staple it to, you're good to go. I think leaves, and grass clippings is all you need to get started. If you have a staple gun, it'll be pretty simple to staple to the wood in all four corners. But i'd ask someone at the hardware store or home depot about what you need to cut the chicken wire. Or measure how much you need, and ask them to cut it for you before you buy it. Then it'll be very easy to do.

Answer 4

Here are a few links. (some of them I used for mine awhile back)
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt9204.html
http://www.organicgardening.org.uk/factsheets/gg24.php
http://www.rco.on.ca/RCO_files/RotatingBarrelComposter.pdf
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/buildacompostbin