How to make a small effective compost bin?


HI :) I’ve been planning to make a compost bin for a while now, but this week I finally have the time to do it! Problem is, that I’m not sure what kind of bin would be the best choice for a relatively small garden. I’ve read quite a few pages on the internet, but they all seem to be saying different things. If anyone has a compost bin or atleast knows what one would be the simplest, quickest, but effective option to make (OR BUY) please let me know :)
Thanks loads!

mine is just a compost pile, tho it does attract some critters and birds.
a barrel with holes in bottom , sides and top works best, or an old hutch or cage.
a small framwork with framing and hardware cloth work best tho.

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Posted on May 5th, 2011 by Kitchen Compost and filed under kitchen compost | 1 Comment »

If airing a compost pile is important, why do we need to put a cover?


on top of a compost bin?
Mid california near Sacramento has a milder climate. Would you still cover the compost so as to not loose heat?

A covering over a compost bin will retain heat, which increases the rate of decomposition. Airing can still be done via vents etc, as you’re right that allowing free air movement is important.

It also prevents other elements from entering your pile, such as too much water, from a rain storm etc. Weed seeds could also blow in, and potentially not be killed by the intense heat that builds up in rapidly decomposing compost, which would then be moved to your garden, causing weed invasions.

I’d still cover my pile, in Sacramento, or San Diego.

Hope this helps. Good luck! Rob

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Posted on May 1st, 2011 by Kitchen Compost and filed under kitchen compost | 6 Comments »

What percentage of compost should I have in my soil?


I bought a soil with organic compost already in it. It says 6.4 ph and 15 percent per 100 grams is organic compost. I was planning on adding some of my own compost to the soil, but isn’t 15 % enough already??

Thanks

I would get your plants started with the soil you purchased, and then fertilize in a few weeks with your own compost. While it may seem that you can add tons of compost, you want to be careful not to burn your plants. Even worm castings, which are quite stable compared to other types of compost, need to be used in moderation, especially in the beginning of your gardening efforts. As you move forward and learn about what your plants respond positively to, you can amend your approach.

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Posted on April 28th, 2011 by Kitchen Compost and filed under kitchen compost | 6 Comments »

I started to compost and have some from last year. I would like to organically fertilize, how is it done?

I don’t know much about fertilizing and have had poor luck with commercial fertilizers. Does putting compost around a plant or mixing compost into the soil, organically fertilizing? How do I know how much compost to add?

Compost is one of nature’s best mulches and soil amendments, and you can use it instead of commercial fertilizers. Best of all, compost is cheap. You can make it without spending a cent. Using compost improves soil structure, texture, and aeration and increases the soil’s water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils retain water. Adding compost improves soil fertility and stimulates healthy root development in plants. The organic matter provided in compost provides food for microorganisms, which keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus will be produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.

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Posted on April 24th, 2011 by Kitchen Compost and filed under kitchen compost | 2 Comments »

How long does compost in flower beds attract flies and smell bad?

We had compost put down on our flower beds. Now we have a lot of annoying flies, and the smell’s not so great. When do they go away?
Suggestions on how to make the flies go away or estimates on when they’ll eventually go away (if left alone) would be much appreciated. The smell by the way is not so bad (more earthy than rotten); the flies are more annoying.

Sounds like either your compost was too wet or there was steer manure put into that compost. Good compost smells earthy, not rotten so I gather the compost wasn’t quite ready yet.

The flies will go away when the compost dries, in a few more days, unless you get rain and the stuff rejuvenates.

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Posted on April 21st, 2011 by Kitchen Compost and filed under kitchen compost | 5 Comments »

How can i acidify my compost naturally without adding ericaceous compost?

I just want to know if i can add a few things here and there to tubs and compost to increase the acidity of the compost for things like gentians etc without having to use ericaceous compost. I know lots of ericaceous compost is largely made up of peat and i’d rather garden in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Any help would be much appreciated! thanks.

used coffee grounds
used tea bags
epsom salts

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Posted on April 18th, 2011 by Kitchen Compost and filed under kitchen compost | 2 Comments »

Can I start a compost bin without having to use the actual compost?

I live in a rental property so we aren’t allowed to grow a veggie garden, but I’d like to start a compost bin to get rid of left over vegetables and fruit etc. Can I make a compost bin without having to actually use the compost on my garden?

Yes of course you can. But do you have a place to put a composter that won’t kill the lawn and upset your landlord?
And what will you do with the compost once you have it? Do you have a friend who can use it in their own garden?
Or maybe you can use it in planters or if you have a flower bed in front of the house?

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Posted on April 16th, 2011 by Kitchen Compost and filed under kitchen compost | 4 Comments »

What is the best compost for conifers? those little evergreen plants.?

I have been told the best compost is the John innes ericaceous compost because its loam based and lime free. Another gardener said it can be any ericaceous compost which is lime free, but what is ok to use for conifers, pronounced con-if-ers and because they are all year round trees i want a compost which will be very compatible with them, bit confused. Thanks!

Any acidic, lime-free compost is good. If you have compost made from pine needles or oak leaves, it will work very well.

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Posted on April 15th, 2011 by Kitchen Compost and filed under kitchen compost | 1 Comment »

How to use compost on a mulched area?

I had issues with cats and squirrels eating or pooping on all my flowers, so I decided to put landscaping fabric and mulch down around all my flowers. I now want to fertilize for the winter and don’t know how to go about it. I bought compost for my newly planted peonies and have tons left over. If I can’t fertilize with compost, can I use liquid fertilizer?

I live in zone 5, have roses, clematis, peonies and two butterfly gardens. Thanks for any and all advice!

Yeah on using Compost! You will want to consider using it at the same time as you re mulch. If it is very fine, then consider raking it into the turf, especially in areas of concern. If it is woody, then I would suggest mixing it with your mulch now, as you would be re-mulching in Spring. If you aren’t opposed to a getting dirty, you can make your own Liquid fertilizer by filling a bucket a third the way with compost and the rest with water. Let it sit overnight, and vola! This way makes a weak ‘tea’. Here is a better way, but more involved. Compost Tea is far superior to liquid fertilizers and is beneficial to the environment and to environmentally sound businesses. Thank you, and Good Luck!

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Posted on January 31st, 2011 by Kitchen Compost and filed under kitchen compost | 3 Comments »

What kinds of manure/compost organic material are good for making compost tea?

I plan on using compost tea for my garden next year and I want to know what kinds of materials will have the best benefit for micro organism activity.

I do have the barrel set up, bag, and unsulpurated molasses already.

Worm castings are by far the most concentrated product.
In order to make the best compost tea, it is best to aerate it.

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Posted on November 23rd, 2010 by Kitchen Compost and filed under kitchen compost | 5 Comments »
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