Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
4.
Then cover with a thin layer of soil or animal manure to keep the flies
and odor down.
5.
Repeat these steps.
For best results, make the pile at least three feet high by three
feet wide before leaving it to sit. Temperature is an important factor
in making compost; the larger the pile, the easier it is for the mater-
ial in it to get to the high temperatures needed to kill any weed
seeds or diseased plant material. A temperature that is either too
low or too high can slow down the decomposition process, while
warm weather has a tendency to speed it up a bit. The pile usually
starts out cool, and then as the materials start to decompose, the
temperature inside the pile increases. Once your compost pile has
reached approximately three feet by three feet, let that one sit and
start a new pile. Most plastic compost bins will be approximately this
size when they are full so you can move the bin, leaving the pile to
work, or use two bins if you have a large amount of debris.
Choosing a Compost Bin
Constructing your own bin rather than purchasing one can save
you money, as you can use recycled materials. Another benefit is
that you can make it any size to fit your needs. A simple compost
structure is a three-sided bin made by stacking concrete blocks, rail-
road ties, wooden boards, bales of straw, or pallets. Wire fencing or
wire mesh can also be used to make a less solid bin so long as the
holes are small enough to hold the materials you have. Bending the
wire into a circular shape is often the easiest and the sturdiest shape
to set up. Often, you can get these materials for free; they are also
fairly inexpensive to purchase. Make sure the walls are about four
feet high and the area inside is a minimum of three feet by three
feet.
