Natalie Bull's List: Making a compost bin

• I went on a hunt for information on how to make my own small-time composting bin
• I decided to make my own bin from a Rubbermaid container; it was dark, portable, easy to find and — most importantly — affordable.

• Materials:

   
  • Rubbermaid container (1 1/2 feet by 1 1/4 feet.)
   
  • "Browns": Dead leaves, brown grass clippings, wood, sticks, shredded newspaper, dead plants, rice, pine needles
   
  • "Greens": Fresh grass and other plant clippings, fruit and vegetable parts, coffee grounds (with or without filter), tea bags, wool, human hair
   
  • Extra newspaper
   
  • A good knife
• 1. Clean the Rubbermaid container, removing all stickers and labels. Take your knife and cut holes along the edges of the bin�s lid, about 1 centimeter wide. I placed these about 3 centimeters apart. Next, cut a few holes in the middle of the lid. These holes will allow air and moisture to circulate.

• 2. Turn your bin over and cut some drainage holes (the water has to go somewhere, right?). I placed two slits in each corner, about a half-centimeter wide and 3 centimeters long. They should be big enough for drainage, but not enough to allow your compost to spill out.

    

  3. Rip up your extra newspaper and put it in the bottom of the bin. The shreds should be no more than 1 inch thick, and should fill up the container about 5 to 6 inches.

• 4. Gather all your �browns.� Place them on top of the newspaper. Your bin should be about one-third to one-half full.

    

  5. Gather your �greens.� Place these on top of your browns. Your compost bin should be almost full. Make sure to leave a little room at the top though.

• 6. Place your bin outside (if it isn't already there). If you must place it directly on a deck, a second extra lid can be placed underneath as a drip tray.

    

  7. Water. Make sure it's damp, but not so wet that everything is floating around. If you live in a rainy climate, you can let nature take its course and wet your compost for you.

    

  8. Wait.

    

  9. In about 3-4 weeks, go out and give your compost a good turn. This will allow the microbes that are decomposing everything to spread around. Repeat every 3-4 weeks.

    

  10. Within 6-8 months, you should have a brown, earthy-smelling mixture. That's your compost!

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• Building a Compost Bin for your backyard takes about 15 minutes
• • Recycle or buy a plastic pail/bin with a tight fitting lid  about 24 inches tall or taller. Your pail needs a lid to keep critters out and to keep soil moist.
   
   
   
  • With a drill, drill 8 to 10 small holes in the bottom of your container for aeration purposes. If necessary, drill a few holes on the sides/walls of the bin.#Place your compost bin in a shady area away from your home in the back yard.  If you live in an apartment or have no backyard you can place your bin on the patio.  Be sure your compost is not in full sun or your compost will dry out.
   
   
   
  • Place some shredded newspaper or dry leaves on the bottom of your compost bin, fill about 1/8 - 1/4 full.
   
   
   
  • Place dirt from your garden on top of the newspaper, until your compost is 1/2 full.
   
   
   
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     Grape stems, onion skins, coffee grounds....it's all good stuff!

     

     
     Now, place any food scraps or paper products into compost such as fruit, vegetables, crushed egg shells, paper towels, etc.
• • Give your compost a little stir with a shovel or stick, making sure to cover your food scraps with dirt.
   
   
   
  • Spray with lukewarm water until moist, but not soaking wet.
   
   
   
  • With a drill make 8 to 10 small holes on bin lid.
   
   
   
  • Place lid on compost, every other day you add food scraps to bin you should give it a stir.  Mixing the compost will help breakdown the scraps faster.
   
   
   
  • Wait 2 - 3 months to use your compost.  Compost can be used as mulch to cover flower beds, as potting soil and sprinkled over your grass as a lawn conditioner.  Don't use it all though, save at least 1/3 of your original compost and then you can start all over again.
• For easier mixing, tip the bin on its side and roll it a few times, everyday.
• • Pail/Bin with tight fitting lid
   
  • Drill
   
  • Drill bit(smaller, better)
   
  • Shredded newspaper/dried leaves
   
  • Soil
   
  • Kitchen and Garden scraps
   
  • Sprayer
   
  • Lukewarm water
   
  • (optional)Small scrap of carpet
   

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• Here's how to make compost in a recycled garbage can.

• 1. Punch holes in a garbage can. The microbes that actually do the composting need oxygen to do their work.

      
     
  2.  
     Step 2
        

     Chop plant debris into small pieces and place them inside the garbage can. Ideally, you should use 50 percent green material and 50 percent dry, but you can use shredded newspaper for the dry material if necessary. You don't need to fill the can all at one time - just put in the plant material you have on hand.

      
     
  3.  
     Step 3
        

     Spray water over the chopped plant material inside the can, until the material is damp but not soggy.

      
     
  4.  
     Step 4
        

     Put the lid on the can.

      
     
  5.  
     Step 5
        

     Place the filled garbage can on bricks or several 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber to keep the can off the ground and prevent it from rusting.

      
     
  6.  
     Step 6
        

     Turn the can as often as daily, or at least once a week. Lay the can on its side and roll it around to mix the plant material inside.

      
     
  7.  
     Step 7
        

     Add more plant material at any time.

      
     
  8.  
     Step 8
        

     Keep the compost about as moist as a wrung-out sponge by spraying it with water when the plant material begins to feel dry.

      
     
  9.  
     Step 9
        

     Harvest your compost after one month. Use a wire screen or piece of chicken wire to strain out the unfinished compost.

      
     

     
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  Tips & Warnings
   
     
  • Compost can be used to top-dress garden beds or as potting soil for indoor plants.
     
  • Once the plant material inside the can is no longer warm to the touch, the composting process is finished.

• Things You'll Need:

   
     
  •   Bricks 
     
  •   Bricks 
     
  •   Garbage Cans 
     
  •   Garden Hoses 
     
  •   Old Newspapers

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