There are different types of compost bins that are available and you may be wondering which the best one to use is. The below list will actually help you to identify which is the most appropriate one for your needs.
Holding Units
If you live in an apartment and you have limited space, then this is the bin for you because of the low maintenance involved with them. They don’t really need any turning but due to the fact that they don’t have any sort of aeration, composting can take a long time and is usually six moths up to two years.
Portable Bins
They are not really different form holding bins except for the fact that they can be taken apart and moved. You can also mix different types of materials with this kind of bin. The plastic ones are available for sale but if you are the daring type, you can construct one from wire fencing that is framed in wood.
Turning Units
They are designed as so, so that aeration is possible with these. This means that compost is churned out faster because of the oxygen that is supplied to the bacteria tat is in the compost. They also have fewer problems with odor that is associated mostly with aeration that is poor. They can be a structure of bins or one that rotates which in this case would mean a ball or a barrel. They are more difficult to build and in most cases, they are quite expensive. Materials can only be filled to a certain level before the process can begin. Once the process has actually started, you can never add any more materials to the bin.
Heaps
For those that don’t have the luxury of building or buying a bin structure this option is the most readily available. Turning the heap here can be optional but you always need to keep in mind the fact that the process will be slowed considerably if you do not turn the materials. Materials that are woody of course will take a really long time to decompose with this kind of process and the food scarps too will be affected largely by pests.
Sheet Composting
This is better done in the fall. A layer of leaves that have not been decomposed either fully or partial are worked into the garden and by spring, the material will have no doubt been broken down. Soil nitrogen is tied up by this process in decomposition which makes it virtually unavailable to the other plants. Due to this very reason, soil nitrogen can only be done during the fall when there your garden is actually fallow.
As to where you can place your compost bin, t all depends with the functionality as well as the aesthetic needs. If you want them to work to your advantage, then it is prudent that you place them in a place that has good air circulation. It is not really necessary to place them in a partial shade but it is prudent, avoid placing them next to wooden structures as this might cause decay.
How Compost Bins Work
Composting is basically mixing organic waste in a bin and you have to provide the necessary conditions for decomposition to occur. The decomposition process is furthered by the microorganisms that take up new residence in your compost pile. The place that you will do the composting is very important therefore you need to place your compost bin in your front yard as you don’t want to offend people. Go for the backyard or the basement when you are looking for a place for the bin. The size of the bin matters too a lot so you need to make one that is not too big or too small. A 3 by 3 by 3 bins is the most perfect because you will also be required to turn your compost and something big might hinder the effectiveness of this.
Moisture
The microbes in the bin that do the work of decomposition or in this case composting need moisture to enable them to continue doing what they do effectively. Therefore you need to add some water to the bin. Too much water will kill the microbes and stop the decomposition as well as little water will also do the same. So, you need to put water that is at just the right amount and water. You can even soak the material that you are adding if it is dry first before you put it in the bin. The wetter it is, the better the decomposition will be. Also you can add some fresh grass or plants to the mixture and this will provide the moisture needed for the organisms.
Aeration
Oxygen is always required by the organism as well as the organic matter in the bin. So, you need to make sure that they get the required oxygen. All you need to do is give the bin proper ventilation and the contents of the bin will take care of themselves. Use a pitchfork, a spade or even a compost aerator to mix up the pile. Using a compost aerator is the best method to go about this process of making sure that aeration is maintained in your pile. It makes the work way easy without you having to do any heavy lifting.
Temperature
He organisms that are in the bin generate a lot of temperature and it is this temperature that is responsible for killing any weed that might develop here. This temperature also is responsible for speeding up the decomposition of the pile so appropriate temperatures need to be maintained in the bin at all times because very high temperatures can also be harmful. The temperature will help you know when to turn the pile, when to add more materials, water and when it is finished and ready to use. So, a compost thermometer is really important.
Adding materials
When you are adding materials into your bin, make sure not to squash the material inside way down. This will only make the microbes as well as the air out and you will end up with a sticky mess instead of good compost. So, make sure that you add materials at the required time and in the right way.