A Recipe For Your Compost Bin

When starting compost or deciding on yourCompost tumblers are popular because they are
compost bin design, the most important point toclean and simple and take the hard work out of
consider is how to keep the compost mix moistmixing the heap by hand. Tumblers are rotated
and warm so that it breaks down easily. If youfrequently to allow air to flow through the mix
add just the right ingredients in the correctand excess moisture to drain away. When heat
proportions you'll have a sure-fire compostingbuilds up in the middle of the mix, micro-organisms
method that will improve your soil or form thequickly break the material down into useable soil.
basis of your no dig garden.A recipe for success
First though, let's look at two popular types ofFollowing this simple recipe for building your
compost bin designs; the simple three-bin systemcompost will ensure you have good, useable soil in
and the compost tumbler.abundance.
Three-bin compost system1. Start with 4ins (10cm) of food scraps. (Don't
You need an oblong bin, usually constructed out ofuse meat unless you want to invite rats!)
scrap timber with space between the boards and2. Add a 4ins (10cm) layer of grass clippings or
divided into three separate sections. The bingarden pruning material.
should have no floor and be sitting on the ground3. Now add about 1ins (2cm) of dry chicken
to allow earthworms to do their job of aeratingmanure.
the mix and breaking it down more quickly.4. Add another layer of grass clippings etc. as in
The system works by moving the compoststep 2.
through different stages to completion.5. If using lime to reduce the smell, now is the
Bin 1: This is where you start the process withtime to add a light dusting to the mix.
fresh leaves and scraps. Bin 2: The compost is6. Add food scraps again as in step 1.
moved to this bin when partially decomposed and7. Add torn or shredded paper that has been
ready to receive additives such as lime. Bin 3:dampened first. This will absorb any excess
Transfer the completed compost to this bin whenmoisture in the heap.
it has turned into brown, crumbly soil and is ready8. Now dust with fertilizer - blood and bone or
to use in your garden.wood ash.
Tip: If you're handy with wood frameThis process may seem a little complicated at
construction, build moveable slats into the frontfirst, but just like a good cook, you'll soon have
side of each bin. These can then be removedno need to consult the recipe. Once you get into
when the compost is ready to be transferred tothe swing of it you will instinctively know what
the next stage.ingredients your compost needs and when to add
Compost tumblersthem.