Composting begins in the kitchen because food scraps make up a big part of the mix. Unless you want to run out to your compost pile after every meal, you should invest in a kitchen compost bucket. As you prepare your meals and after you clean up, chop up the scraps into small pieces and store them in your compost bucket until it is convenient to empty it into your compost bin. Kitchen composters come in different styles from plastic buckets to ceramic crocks. You can keep your composter under the sink where it is out of sight so you don’t need anything fancy. You do however, need a tight fitting lid so odor doesn’t escape and attract insects and vermin.

The choice in outdoor composters is huge. The first thing you should decide is if you want an open pit or an enclosed bin. If you live in the city or anticipate problems with wildlife, you may want an enclosed compost bin. If you don’t relish the idea of manually turning over your compost with a pitchfork on a regular basis, a compost tumbler is probably a good idea.

Compost tumblers are compost bins that rotate when you crank them or roll them. This is an easy way to keep the scraps inside mixed and aerated. These come in large and small sizes and sit up on legs or rest flat on the ground. The easiest units to operate are the ones that work with a hand crank and sit up on legs because when it is time to empty the container, you simply tip it over and the compost pours out. You have to manually scoop out compost from tumblers that sit on the ground. That isn’t a tough job though and may not even factor into your decision when looking at composters.

Other composting bins just sit on the ground similar to large wastebaskets or tanks. These are commonly made out of recycled plastic in keeping with the concern for the environment. Since these don’t tumble, you have to mix your compost scraps by hand on a regular basis. You can use a pitchfork for this, or a compost aerator. If your bin is small you can even use a hand rake or hand shovel. It is important to keep your compost well aerated so it will decompose.

Aerating your compost allows oxygen to get through all the layers and this speeds up decomposition. This is the reason composting is so important to our planet. Food that is deposited in a landfill will take up space for several decades because the soil is packed down and no oxygen can reach it to assist with decomposition. By recycling food scraps at home, it puts less of a burden on our landfills that are already filled to capacity.

In addition to keeping your compost stirred up and aerated, you need to constantly add new scraps to your compost bin in the proper proportions. Composters need food scraps but they also need carbon waste such as dead leaves and paper in order to make rich soil. Adding worms to composters is optional. They aren’t necessary but they can assist in decomposition.

Composters take several months to produce a full bin of rich compost ready for garden use. You’ll need to plan well ahead of garden planting season so your compost will be ready. Many gardeners use two composters so they can always have a batch of compost ‘cooking’ and one always ready to use.

Composters produce soil that greatly enhances the soil in your garden whether it is primarily sand or clay. Compost holds moisture at the proper level yet drains readily. However, it is important to keep in mind that compost bins are naturally humid environments and it is easy for too much moisture to accumulate in them. If that happens, your batch of compost could be ruined.

To prevent that from happening, make sure your bin is protected from rain and has air vents. You may also want to drill drain holes in the bottom so excess moisture can drain away. If you do have drain holes, be sure to elevate your compost bin so it doesn’t sit in a rain puddle and soak in moisture that way.

Composters are pretty easy to set up and maintain. The only real effort is the commitment needed to save your food scraps each day and keep the bin aerated on a regular basis. Compost bins make that easy since you don’t have to walk to the end of the garden in all kinds of weather to get to your compost pit. You can set an attractive compost bin right next to your back door for the ultimate in convenience.

When you are shopping for composters or compost accessories, try looking in home improvement, garden and farm stores. You can also shop for them online where you can find an endless selection of styles and sizes to choose from. You can spend a lot of money if you want to on composters but if your budget is tight, don’t let that stop you. All you need to get started is a container and a lid and you can grow from there.

Biobags are used to line kitchen compost buckets so they are not as messy to empty. When you are ready to dump your collection of scraps, all you have to do is lift out the bag and throw the whole thing into your compost pile. Being biodegradable, the bags won’t hurt your compost at all but will actually help it. Plus they make it much easier to keep a clean compost bucket.

Fruit flies are attracted to food scraps and can be a problem if they get a whiff of your compost bin or bucket. If you keep your bucket indoors you may want to set out some fruit fly traps. You can buy the traps alone or buy them with ceramic or soapstone holders that have an attractive appearance. These traps have tiny holes that attract the flies and then capture them. Simply replace the traps about once a month and your fruit fly problem will be kept under control. These are nontoxic and safe to use around food in your kitchen.

Carbon filters are nice compost accessories to have on your indoor compost bins because they filter odors and keep down the smell. Even though you keep the lid closed, when you open your bin to add more scraps, the smell can be overwhelming if you don’t empty your bucket very often. Compost bucket replacement filters fit into the lid on your bin and come with replacements you can rinse out and reuse or replace every few months.

Worms are a good addition to a compost bin but you must take steps to properly care for them. While you would usually set a compost bin in the sun to speed decomposition, that environment would be too hot for worms to survive. Worms will also die if your bin is kept too moist. Not every compost bin needs worms but they will speed along the process and reward you with rich compost as a result.

Screening is one of the compost accessories you may not think about until you need it. Rodents may be attracted to your compost bin. They can chew through just about anything so if you have a plastic or rubber container, they may decide to chew into your bin, especially if they have a starting place such as an air vent or drain hole. To solve that problem, you can attach rodent screen to your compost bin and protect it from all kinds of vermin.

Coconut fiber is a nice addition to your compost bin. In order for your compost to develop properly, you need to balance your food scraps with what is called brown waste. Brown waste includes things such as paper, leaves, yard waste, and coconut fiber. You can purchase coconut fiber in convenient bricks. These are nice compost accessories to have on hand when your compost starts to take on an order. A foul smell is a sign you don’t have enough brown waste in your mix.

Some gardeners recommend the use of compost starter to help get your composting process cranked up. You can buy compost starter in bags and add it to your bin according to the instructions. This starter contains ingredients such as nitrogen sources and microorganisms so the decomposition process begins sooner and you develop richer compost. Also, a compost tea catcher could prove to be very useful, as compost tea acts both as an insecticide and nutrient.

An aerator is a very helpful compost accessory as it helps oxygen get deep into your compost pile. This gardening tool looks like a cane except it has wings on the bottom of it. You plunge the aerator into your compost pile and twist it a little and it separates the material so air flows through. This is useful for open compost pits and bins alike.

A pitchfork serves the same purpose and is especially handy when working an outdoor compost pit. You need a pitchfork to help you turn over the compost so air can get to the bottom layers and decomposition occurs evenly throughout the pile. You can also use a pitchfork in a compost bin if the door opening is large enough.

Hand shovels are other nice compost accessories to have around. You can use them to aerate the soil in smaller compost bins. You’ll also need a hand shovel to scoop the compost out of smaller bins that sit on the ground and don’t tip over for emptying.

When it is time to harvest your compost, a compost sieve will be handy. This blocks material that has not decomposed yet and only allows rich fertile compost to pour through. A screen frame will also do the trick. This is a step you won’t want to overlook if you have worms in your compost bin. Sifting your compost will separate the worms from the soil without harming them so you can put them back to work in your composter.

You probably didn’t realize there were so many compost accessories you could choose from. You certainly don’t need all of them. It depends upon the type of compost system you have. If you have a crank compost tumbler that empties itself, you don’t need anything else at all really but it’s always fun to discover new gadgets and add them to your gardening workshop.

Many compost bins are made from recycled plastic and that may be important to you if you care about the environment. Others are made from galvanized metal or stainless steel. The black plastic models are said to increase the temperature inside the bin so decomposition takes place much quicker. Large compost bins are usually sized by cubic feet rather than gallons like the smaller units.

Whether you buy a large or small compost bin, you’ll want to make sure there is air circulation in the form of vents or screens so your compost gets adequate oxygenation. Your bin will also need a sturdy and secure door for keeping out wildlife and holding the compost in place when you turn it. The door should also be big enough so you can work the compost easily. If your bin doesn’t have a turning mechanism, you’ll have to fit a shovel or pitchfork inside to turn your pile.

Also think about how you’ll get your compost out. Some compost bins tip over so you can pour the compost out but with others, you’ll have to scoop it out with a shovel or some other implement. Consider the amount of effort you want to put into maintaining your bin. The easier it is, the more likely you will keep up with the proper maintenance and be rewarded with rich garden material.

You could pay $150 to $200 or more for a traditional compost bin or you could make your own from a big plastic or rubber trashcan. Drill air holes along the top and side of it and make sure the lid snaps tight. While it isn’t an ideal bin since you’ll have to manually turn over the compost on a regular basis, it is certainly an economical way to get started.

No matter what kind of compost bin you choose, when you start, you want to add about half soil and half garbage into the bottom of the bin. Find an ideal spot for the Envirocycle spinning compost bin in your yard or against your house where it will get a lot of sun so the temperature will get nice and warm inside. Collect food scraps from all your meals and add them to your bin on a regular basis and give it a good mix with a pitchfork or by rotating the bin, at least once a week

If you make your own bin, make sure you drill the holes in the side and not the top of your trashcan. Compost bins hold onto moisture since they are enclosed so you don’t want rainwater to seep in and drown your compost. Drilling a few holes in the bottom will help excess water to drain. Keep adding to your bin to make a nice size pile of compost. The material you put in must totally decompose. You may want to speed the process by chopping your food scraps into small pieces first and shredding the papers. In addition to food and paper scraps you can also toss in leaves, yard waste, and worms. If you do add worms, you may want to cover the holes with screens so they don’t escape through the holes in the bottom of your bin.

As you add scraps to your Soil Saver compost bin over time, try to maintain a constant balance between brown waste or leaves and paper, and green waste or food scraps. This will help maintain a dirt-like odor rather than emitting the smell of rotting food. When compost bins take on a bad smell it is usually because there are too many food scraps and not enough paper scraps to balance it out. Another thing that can contribute to a bad smelling compost bin is animal protein so you may want to omit adding milk or meat scraps to your bin.

Composting is not a quick process, especially if you don’t generate much in the way of food scraps each day. It will take a few months for your compost to get ready, so you should begin in the fall or winter and your compost will be set to go when it is time to plant a spring garden. Compost is a cheap and easy way to improve the quality of your garden soil.

It helps sandy soil hold onto water and it helps loosen clay. Because it is all natural, you don’t have to worry about adding chemicals to your garden produce, yet you’ll be able to control pests easier and produce healthier more bountiful crops. Composting is also good for the planet. It is hard to imagine but nearly 25% of our landfills are composed of materials that could be composted such as food scraps and yard waste. Although these materials decompose readily in compost bins, they can take decades to decompose in landfills due to the lack of oxygen.

Healthy compost made correctly has a dark, rich color and an earthy smell. Compost doesn’t smell bad or attract vermin if you use proper compost bins and take care of your waste correctly so it decomposes into a healthy garden additive.

Compost tumblers keep out animals, but insects, especially tiny gnats, may still get inside. Keeping your compost in a closed container also helps keep down on the odor of decomposing food that might irritate your neighbors. By mixing your compost often so air is added, you’ll be able to control the odor even better.

Compost tumblers come in many sizes from around 30 gallons up to 200 gallons. The most common are 55 gallon composters. These can be made in a variety of styles. The style and size affects the price you’ll have to pay. You can expect to pay from $70 to $250 in order to buy compost tumblers of high quality.

As the name implies, these containers tumble, or mix, the contents inside so air is added and decomposition takes place. This serves the same function as turning compost over with a pitchfork in an open compost bin. A common design is a compost bin that looks like a big barrel on its side with a crank attached. As you turn the crank, the barrel spins around so the contents inside are stirred up.

These crank operated tumblers are very easy to use. A simple turn of the crank does all the work. The doors on these are usually large and roomy so they are easy to fill. These tumblers are also usually on high legs so emptying the compost is as easy as placing a wheelbarrow underneath the container and swinging open the door.

Other compost tumblers are built closer to the ground. Rather than cranks, they may have steps so you can rotate the composter with your feet. Since they are lower to the ground, they are also more difficult to empty and require scooping to get the compost out.

A ball compost tumbler sits directly on the ground. You mix the contents by rolling it along the ground or lawn. These are more difficult to turn over and since they are on the ground, they are also more difficult to empty.

When shopping for compost tumblers, you’ll want to look for one with a wide door so it is easy to get the compost out. You’ll also want one that is easy to turn. As the container fills with compost, it will get heavier and heavier, so make sure you’ll be able to use it properly.

It takes several weeks for your compost to be ready. Using compost tumblers is usually a little quicker simply because you think to turn it more often since it is convenient to do so. The more you turn, the quicker your compost will be ready to use. You may want to invest in two tumblers so one can be decomposing while you are adding scraps to the other one. That way you’ll always have a fresh supply of compost when you need it.

Remember compost tumblers retain moisture more readily than open compost pits so you will need to water them less frequently. You should also protect your compost from rainwater. If rain is allowed to enter and collect in your tumbler, it could ruin your compost.

You may need to closely watch what you add to a Envirocycle compost tumbler since these do better with a mix of brown and green scraps. If you only add food scraps, you may end up with a rotting pile of food rather than compost. Add leaves or straw to your tumbler to prevent this. In addition, you should avoid adding foods such as milk or meat because animal protein will cause your compost to give off a foul odor as it decomposes.

Compost tumblers are tidy and for the most part they emit very little odor. For that reason, you can park them near your house so it is convenient for you to empty your food scraps on a daily basis. You can also choose stylish models so they don’t look too bad sitting in your yard. While compost tumblers all work on the same basic principal, each as its own set of operating instructions. For best results, it is a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding the use of your bin especially regarding how often you need to roll or crank it to mix the compost.

To create the best compost, you’ll need brown waste such as straw or leaves and green waste such as produce scraps. In addition you’ll need the proper moisture level and plenty of oxygen that you create by cranking the Tumbleweed compost bin tumbler. It couldn’t be any easier to make your own compost. These garden devices are simple enough for anyone to use. Just be sure you don’t buy one with such a large capacity that you can’t rotate it because of lack of strength.

If you can’t rotate your compost tumbler, your scraps won’t mature into fertile compost and you’ll be much better off building an open pit instead. Remember though, even an open compost pit needs to be turned over and stirred up on a regular basis and doing it with a pitchfork is backbreaking labor in itself that you can avoid by using a handy compost tumbler with a crank.

While small compost buckets might be enough for a small greenhouse, a larger greenhouse along with your garden will require more compost to ensure that your fruits, vegetables, or flowers grow healthily in optimum soil conditions. You can easily use compost bins to convert most of your kitchen waste into totally natural fertilizer to help your soil regain its nutritional properties, which in turn will ensure healthy plant growth all through the year.

You can opt for ready-made compost bins that are available in a wide variety of materials such as recycled HDPE plastic, metal wire, wood, polyethylene, galvanized steel, and several other flexible porous materials to ensure that your kitchen waste turns into greenhouse soil compost within a few weeks. You can also choose between several colors that match the color of your home or greenhouse so that the bin does not mar the look of your property. Your chosen bin or bins can now turn waste vegetables, vegetable and fruit skins, eggshells, tea bags, grass cuttings, twigs, and dried leaves from your kitchen, garden, and greenhouse into totally natural fertilizer that is completely free and environmentally-friendly at the same time.

You should, however, avoid dumping meat or other processed food products into your compost bin or bins so as to avoid rats or other large scavengers from trying to get into your bin. You can also sprinkle in a little soil from your greenhouse to further accelerate the decomposing process and should also ensure that the waste is kept moist at all times. You should also place compost bins in sunlight so that the heat from the sun can speed up the process.

You can choose from a wide range of compost bins from online stores that can be found in varying shapes, colors, and sizes. You should choose a compost bin based on your compost requirements, as well as your ability to generate waste from your kitchen as well as your garden and greenhouse. If you are technically skilled then you can also make your own compact bin out of concrete blocks or wooden planks although they will certainly require more maintenance as compared to plastic ones.

You should also turn the decomposing contents in your bin at regular intervals for perfect and even decomposition, and since this could pose a problem if your bin is indeed quite large, then opting for a tumbler model that simply needs to be rotated at regular intervals would be a better, albeit costlier option. You should place your compost in any corner of your property that is not frequented at regular intervals and should also use charcoal filters to ensure that the smell of the decomposing contents does not travel back into your home or garden.

You can certainly help the environment while saving a lot of money in the process when you opt for large compost bins to rejuvenate the soil in your greenhouse or garden in a totally natural manner. You can now convert your kitchen and garden waste back into soil nutrients by using compost bins to store your wastes that will quickly turn into perfectly safe nutrients for your greenhouse and garden soil.

1. Plan Out Compost Bin Materials – What materials you are going to need to use to construct the composter structure out of.
2. Estimate Budget – You will need to have a strict budget lined up on what exactly you are prepared to spend on this project and exactly what are reasonable prices for the materials and labor.
3. Homemade Composter Design Plans – Does your compost bin need to spin? Electric composters that compact materials and automatically made the soil for you. These can cut the time it takes to create compost in half, sometimes even more!
4. Time Investment – Be ready and willy to dedicate a certain amount of time to this project until you are finished, it won’t finish itself!
5. That just about does it for this post on building your own composter bin plans from scratch. I will pickup where I left off during the next post, part two, and I will even be releasing a new featured video on the subject. That’s all coming up next so stay tuned and don’t touch that dial, the master compost gardener will be right back! In the mean time, why don’t you go ahead and take a break you have been working hard!

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