If you do not want to try composting with worms, you can also set up a backyard composting bin. To do this, you will need some form of container or enclosure. You can construct your own bin or you can purchase one from a garden center or mail order garden catalogue.
Generally, it is best to use some sort of enclosed area for your composting bin in order to avoid attracting rodents and other pests. The size of your composting bin depends on how much waste you create and weather or not you intend to also add materials such as garden waste and grass clippings. Just keep in mind that your compost bin needs to be large enough to make it possible for you to occasionally turn your compost to aid in the decomposition process.
How To Setup A Backyard Composting Bin
Another factor to consider for your compost bin is the amount of surface area of your materials it allows to be exposed to the air. The more of your material that is exposed to the air, the better it will decompose. You can also help increase the surface area of your materials by shredding, chopping, breaking, or mowing materials before you add them to your bin. This will help microorganisms access the material more quickly, which will generate more heat and aid in the breaking down process.
Since decomposition uses a great deal of oxygen, you need to be sure to aerate your compost pile as well. This is why you need to occasionally flip the material inside your bin, as this allows oxygen to get to center of the organic materials where it is used up quickly.
Your compost pile will also get oxygen from the wind and from the warm air as it rises through the pile of organic material. This is why it is also important for your bin to be adequately ventilated. If your compost pile does not receive adequate oxygen, it may begin to smell.
To aid in decomposition, your compost pile also needs to be adequately moistened. The overall moisture content of your compost pile should be about 40 to 60%. If it gets to be less than this, the microbial activity will be slowed down or can become completely dormant. If it gets too moist, on the other hand, the aeration will be impeded and nutrients will leach out. This will cause the decomposition to be slowed down and can cause odor.
You can squeeze a handful of your compost pile to determine if it is at the proper moisture level. If it is correct, it should feel like a well wrung sponge. If your pile becomes too wet, you can turn the pile to dry it out or add dry materials.
The temperature of your compost pile should be anywhere between 90 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If it gets higher than this, many important organisms will not be able to adequately do their job. Since the compost pile requires high temperatures to decompose properly, you should expect a slow down in decomposition during the winter in climates that are colder.
After about six months to a year of decomposition, you should be able to use decomposed material in your bin as a fertilizer or a mulch for your garden. Although it takes some time for your initial batch to be prepared for your garden, the process will then become cyclical and you should always have plenty of compost material for any average home garden.
