Should a compost bin go in sun or shade?
A shady spot is actually better for composting, as the sun can dry out a pile and it doesn’t really help to warm it up. I like to use pallets for my bins, as they make a large enough pile to heat up nicely, and they’re free or close to it. Setting up your compost bin pick your site – ideally in a reasonably sunny spot on bare soil. If you have to put your compost bin on concrete, tarmac or patio slabs then add a layer of paper, twigs and existing compost on the bottom to help attract worms and other helpful organisms.You can put your compost pile in the sun or in the shade, but putting it in the sun will hasten the composting process. Sun helps increase the temperature, so the bacteria and fungi work faster. This also means that your pile will dry out faster, especially in warm southern climates.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.Ideally site your compost bin in a reasonably sunny spot on bare soil. The reason you should site your bin on soil is that it makes it very easy for beneficial microbes and insects to gain access to the rotting material. It also allows for better aeration and drainage, both important to successful composting.
Where not to put a compost bin?
The same goes for your indoor compost bin— full sun is not your friend. It’s best to keep it in a dark or shaded part of your house, definitely not near a bright window or on a sunny part of the kitchen island. Especially since, when something gets hot, it usually starts to smell. 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.
What is the disadvantage 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. The optimal ratio for a compost should be roughly 70% carbon (leaves, pine straw, wood chips, nut shells) and 30% nitrogen (vegetable scraps, garden weeds, coffee grounds, manures, hay.There are various ways to use your finished compost. You can sprinkle compost on top or mix it into your flower and vegetable beds, gently rake compost into tree beds, blend it with potting soil to revitalize indoor plants, or spread it on top of the soil on your lawn as a soil amendment.Having the right proportions of ingredients in your compost pile will provide the composting microorganisms the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and moisture they need to break down the materials into finished compost.Compost keeps the soil healthy, which means plants will likely thrive in your garden without any additions. The downside is that compost releases nutrients slowly over time, while chemical fertilizer provides a boost and accelerates growth in a short period.Contamination occurs when materials that aren’t intended to break down at a compost facility, such as plastic products, glass, metal, or rubber, get mixed in with the organic waste. While seemingly harmless in small amounts, these contaminants can create big problems because they don’t decompose.
Is it cheaper to buy or DIY a compost bin?
A homemade DIY compost bin can be less expensive than the store bought ones and will actually serve you better in your garden as you begin composting. By building your own compost bin you can be sure to make it large enough to hold everything you want to add to it. Compost is also much richer in nutrients than topsoil, making it an ideal supplement for soil that is lacking in nutrients. Another difference between compost and topsoil is their use. Compost is most commonly used as a soil amendment, which means it is added to existing soil to improve its fertility and structure.It helps divert organic waste from landfills, reduces methane emissions, and preserves landfills. Compost is also said to deliver natural and much-needed nutrients to the soil it fertilizes. This means that mixing compost and fertilizer will allow for denser nutrients to be delivered to the soil.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.