Which type of compost bin is best?
Bins with insulation and aeration compost organic material faster, allowing you to add more material. Tumbling compost bins or large stationary bins with ample ventilation and easy access to turn the compost are good options for handling medium amounts of compost material. To achieve an active temperature in your bin (between 90 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit), you will want to turn and water your bin every week or every other week. This will achieve finished compost in a few months and maintain all the beneficial microorganisms.Before you start to think of the right bin, you’ll need to estimate how much material you are going to be composting, and then work on the principal that it’s going to be sitting in that container for 12 months or more (for cold composting).
Is it better to have a compost bin in the sun or shade?
The Best Place For a Compost Bin The composting process happens in sun or shade (think of the forest floor — lots of composting happens there), although the process occurs more quickly in a sunny spot. Compost in the sun also tends to dry out more, so you may need to moisten the pile more often. DON’T add meat scraps, bones, grease, whole eggs, or dairy products to the compost pile because they decompose slowly, cause odors, and can attract rodents. DON’T add pet feces or spent cat liter to the compost pile. DON’T add diseased plant material or weeds that have gone to seed.Keep your compost pile away from the house It’s also best to put your compost pile specifically away from trees as their roots could interfere with it. The best spot in your yard is a well-drained section near your garden and a water source, such as a hose or rain barrels.The best enclosed backyard compost pile is between 3′ × 3′ × 3′ to 5′ × 5′ × 5′. DON’T add meat scraps, bones, grease, whole eggs, or dairy products to the compost pile because they decompose slowly, cause odors, and can attract rodents. DON’T add pet feces or spent cat liter to the compost pile.
What are the disadvantages of a compost bin?
Composting can attract unwanted pests and wildlife, which can create public health risks and damage property. Plus, improperly managed compost piles can emit strong odors, which can create problems for nearby residents and businesses. While it may seem counterintuitive, certain plants are detrimental to compost. This is because compost needs to have certain microorganisms and insects present to rapidly and adequately break down. Onions, garlic, citrus fruits, and even some vegetation and leaves can kill off a healthy population inside the compost.
What are two mistakes that we should avoid when we prepare compost?
Use Compostable Materials: Include only materials that can safely decompose in your compost pile. Avoid adding meat, dairy, oils, and pet waste, as these can attract pests, cause odors, and introduce pathogens that are harmful to plants and humans. Simply bury your in-ground composter directly in your garden and fill it with kitchen scraps. The decomposing organic matter releases nutrient-rich moisture directly around the roots of your plants.Every time you’re gardening, just drop anything you pull, trim or cut on the ground. Coined by Robert Pavlis in Compost Science for Gardeners, this really has to be the easiest method. You drop the waste on the ground, and eventually, it will decompose. It’s all very natural.
Can toilet paper go in compost?
Papter towel and toilet paper rolls can be recycled or composted! If you have a compost pail in the bathroom (which we recommend due to being able to compost tissues and cotton swaps with paper sticks), toilet paper rolls can go into the compost as well! Can you compost Toilet paper rolls? Toilet paper rolls are made from cardboard, so they are compostable! As long as these rolls aren’t contaminated, they’re a great addition to your compost bucket.