Friday, December 11, 2015

Homemade Compost Bin

Set up a homemade compost bin to turn waste into fertilizer. Spread compost over a garden to add nutrients to the ground instead of buying fertilizer. Store-bought fertilizers often contain harmful chemicals that poison the water system. Homemade compost also reduces waste. Make the homemade compost from food scraps, unlinked paper, plant remains, and dirt. Don't add meat, bones, dairy products, inked paper, and pet waste to compost. Those materials attract bugs. If you notice bugs, mix the compost. Does this Spark an idea?

Trash Can


Make compost bins out of old trashcans. Drill holes in the bottom of a trash can to allow drainage. Set it outside where sunlight hits it. Mix together both organic and inorganic material, such as food scraps, leaves, grass, unlinked paper, and sticks. The compost needs to be mixed with a shovel or rake about once a week. Cover the compost with a lid. Take the lid off when it rains to increase the speed of composting. After about a month, the compost will be ready.


Wire Cage


Bend chicken wiring or fencing to hold compost. If you want to keep the bin in a certain place, put poles in the ground and wrap the wire around it. Use wire ties to hold the fencing together. If the spot is temporary, build it without poles. The wiring won't be as sturdy, but it is easier to tear down. Fill the compost bin. The bin needs to be wide enough to allow turning. Depending on how big the fencing is, some compost may leak out.


Wooden Box


Build a compost bin out of wood. Lightly sand and put sealant all over the wood to protect it from rotting. Staining the wood is another option. Build the box after it is dry. Either a rectangular or a cube shape works. Use plywood sheets and nails to put it together. The box should be deep and wide enough to allow turning. Attach the lid with hinges so it opens easily. Drill holes in the bottom and sides of the box. Fill it will compost.


Indoor Compost Bin


Make an indoor compost bin to gather food scraps or supply nourishment to indoor plants. Poke holes in the sides of a plastic container. Add a couple inches of shredding newspaper and cardboard to the bin. Add worms and a couple cups of dirt. Put food scraps in the bin and store it under a sink. The worms will break down the food and make compost. Scoop out the compost and add it to indoor plants or transfer it outside.

Tags: food scraps, allow turning, compost needs, Drill holes, Drill holes bottom, enough allow