Compost
can act as a great fertilizer, enriching the soil with
organic materials rather than making use of chemicals that can do more harm than good if used improperly. Composting
is a great way to save money as well. Using compost requires
that you thoroughly mix it into the soil, reducing compaction
and providing oxygenation to the soil. Compost can help plants
stay healthier, and that contributes to their ability to repel
diseases and survive insect attacks. A healthy landscape can
be achieved with a little help from composting.
It
is important to note that composting does require a little
extra work. The pile needs to be turned, and you need to make
sure that you have adequate break down of the items in your
compost pile. You need to be discriminating in what you put
in your compost: it should only be items that will break down
naturally. Plant matter (including pulled weeds) and some foods
are excellent in compost and will add to the health of your
soil, and thus to your landscape over all. There is no reason,
however, that your compost pile needs to be a true pile. A
bin can help you better contain your compost and keep it from
being spread across your yard in a smelly mess by animals or
a really fierce storm.
The
first thing you need to do before you build a compost bin
is decide what your needs are. Many people actually use
a three-bin system. The bins may be connected, or they may
be individually lined up. Some people use the bins for different
types of compost (regular compost, slow compost like woody
plants, and leaves collected in the fall). Others like to have
a three-bin system for the turning purposes. Move the compost
from one bin into the next, allowing it to turn. Then you can
start a pile in the newly vacated bin. By the time the compost
makes it into the third bin, it is ready for use. Others find
that a single bin is sufficient for their needs, and just go
out to stir it around occasionally.
Next
you need to determine what materials you will use to build
your bin. It is important to note that some exposure
to the elements is necessary for more effective and quicker
composting. Chicken wire is not particularly good for compost
bins as it can stretch out of shape very easily and does not
wear well. Materials like 16-guage plastic-coated wire mesh
and hardware cloth are better choices, as is hog wire. Wood
makes an interesting choice, but it is important to note that
it will eventually compost itself and will need to be replaced.
Do not used pressure-treated wood, as it has toxic levels of
copper and chromium, and there is evidence that arsenic can
leach into your compost. Other materials that are acceptable
for building compost bins are spoiled hay bales, old cinder
blocks or bricks, wooden pallets, snow fencing, and a discarded
rabbit hutch. The hutch is desirable because there is very
little that needs to be done to make it ready.
One
of the easiest and cheapest ways to build a compost bin
is to construct it from wooden pallets. Most warehouses, grocery,
and hardware stores are more than happy to give these away
for free, or for very cheap, as it saves them the trouble of
having to discard them. You can use plastic ties to hold four
of them together in a box formation. Adding another bin to
create a system is easy: just attach three more pallets using
one side of the already made bin to complete another box. Be
warned: after about two years you will need a new bin, as this
bin will be composting itself.
A
cinder block or brick bin is also rather easy and cheap
to build. If you visit a demolition or construction site, you
are bound to find the materials you need readily available.
Simply ask for permission to take them. As with the pallets,
if you take them away, it saves the company from having to
pay for the costs associated with disposing of them. Simply
create a square enclosure by stacking the blocks or bricks
on top of each other. Make sure you leave space between the
blocks for ventilation.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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