what is the best way to make compost at home?

Question

how do I build a good bin, does it need turned, how long will it take, what are the best things to put in it?

Answer 1

What I did was use 1"x2" welded wire fence, three feet tall. I made a circular fence three feet in diameter for my compost bin. I have three of these bins. When one is full I shovel it into an empty one to turn it over and aerate it. When all thre are full the oldest one gets emptied into the vegetable garden. In the spring about three weeks before I plant my garden I till everything into the garden whether it is composted or not. Once it is in the ground the earthworms break it down very quickly. Most people will not need that many bins.

Answer 2

It depends on some factors: how much waste do you have? What is your use for the finished compost? In order to compost yard waste you need approximately 50% dry/brown material and 50% green material, in sufficient quantity that the pile is at least 1 sq. yard, maybe larger so sufficient heat can build up. Sometimes the best solution is a purchased tumbler, because the more the pile is turned and air is incorporated, the faster it decomposes. If you are composting weekly lawn and leaf litter, a tumbler is a good solution. I started with bins, but I found them a pain to turn, and difficult to get a good finished compost to work into my planting beds. I got rid of the bins and went to a three part composting system: a worm bin for kitchen and paper waste (close to the kitchen), a tumbler for grass clippings and small leaves, and a bin made from a 5 ft. long piece of wire fencing material, made into a circle. I pile leaves and pine needles into it and don't bother to turn it. After a year I use the "leaf mould" to mulch around trees and paths. Also, I live in CA so I alway seems to have more green waste than brown, so the bin system was impractical. In the tumbler, I can have finished compost in 4 weeks, depending on the size of the clippings. My compost piles took 2-4 months, depending on the amount of time I spent turning it, and if the material was shredded into smaller pieces. There are tons of ideas for building bins and tumblers. Just google.

Answer 3

The easiest thing is to get a large plastic compost bin with a lid and put it in your garden (some local authorities issue them at a discount).

Put in layers of different materials. Lawn trimmings, fruit & veg peelings, eggshells, annual weeds, coffee grounds, teabags (torn open), spent plants, small quantities of shredded paper.

Do NOT use meat or dairy products, they will attract unwelcome visitors. Don't use woody stems, unless they are shredded. Leaves need to be kept in a separate pile. If properly made, the heap will not smell. Turn the heap every few weeks. It should be ready in about 6 months.

Answer 4

A bin can be made of anything as long as you can get air and water to it.
Add layers of different types of items - if you just added a load of grass cuttings they wouldn't rot they would just go slimey.
Any uncooked vegetable bits, weeds (best are ones NOT about to go to seed as the bin may not get hot enough to kill the seeds - also best not to put perennial weeds like buttercups in as they will just get spread in the compost).
Other than that add finished plants, shredded newspaper, hay/straw from pet bedding (but not droppings from a meat eating pet like dogs or cats), male urine is good to activate the heap, nettles, comfrey, borage - all good.
Turn as often as you can - if you can do it monthly you will get a good compost within 4-6 months.

Answer 5

Get a metal dustbin (cheap from DIY store) put all your fruit+veg peels and put it in, it will take a few weeks but thats how long it will take for you to get a good load in there.
After a few weeks, turn it, use the top half and leave the rest in, and continue adding. Too be honest, i found there really was no over powering smell.

Answer 6

If you are in the UK, then usually the coucil run initiatives i got my bin for £5. Then you layer it. Brown paper, household waste, grass cuttings, shreaded paper...try joining frugal genius yahoo group for ideas.!

Answer 7

use a hole in the garden as your toilet for a month, then leave it for a while, perhaps chuck some stray pets in too.