Choosing a Compost Bin

In today’s economy, many people are looking for sources and ways that will help them save money. Recycling is becoming a major part of today’s economy and is also very important for the future of the world. Besides recycling aluminum cans and newspapers, you can also recycle the yard clippings that are produced in your yard and the leaves that fall off trees. Use those organic elements to create compost that you can use in the soils of your flower beds and your gardens.

Creating your own compost is simple. You need the organic materials that are in your yard and you also need to purchase a compost bin. If you do not have the sources to purchase a compost bin, you can make a compost bin out of recycled materials. Start your search for a compost bin by doing the research and locating a bin that will work for the size of your yard and the materials that you are going to place in it.

Start by choosing a compost bin that is medium in size and made of wood. As you fill the bin with the recycled materials out of your yard, fill the bin half way full. Filling the wooden bin half way full of materials will allow the materials to have the proper amount of oxygen and moisture flow. Without oxygen and moisture, the materials will not have the opportunity to be created into the compost you want. You can also use a metal or plastic bin to place your materials in. With a plastic or metal bin, you will notice a less amount of smell and the bin will be easier to clean.

Before you purchase a bin, have a place in mind where you are going to put the compost bin. You want the bin accessible to get to and you will also want to have the opportunity to add water to it. Consider your neighbors and community also. If you have chosen to use a wood compost bin, the bin may have a smell to it that you don’t want to disturb your neighbors. You can place the bin between trees or shrubs to help the bin hide among the greenery. Your bin needs to be accessible and functional for the amount of recycled materials you are going to placing into it.

As you place the recycled materials into the compost bin, make sure the compost bin is placed above ground. This will give the compost bin the extra oxygen flow that will create the compost quicker. Keeping the compost bin off the ground will also help keep the extra ground water out of the compost bin that could hurt the compost you are creating. As you place the compost bin above ground, mix the recycled materials you have placed into the bin. Mixing the materials will also help the materials receive the proper amount of oxygen.

The proper size of a compost bin needs to be at least three feet by three feet and no bigger than five feet by five feet. This size will guarantee that the recycled materials will receive the proper amount of moisture, oxygen and temperature that is needed to create compost. These three elements of nature will create organisms that will break down the recycled materials and turn them into compost.

You will know that you have created a good source of compost when the recycled materials are a dark rick earth like color. If there are clumps or it appears to still be stringy, the compost has not been created yet. Continue to mix the compost into the dark rich color of compost that you will be adding to the soils in your flower beds and gardens.