How to Build A Compost Bin

It takes approximately 15 minutes to build a compost bin for your back garden. They are extremely simple and convenient, and you will be wondering why you have not built one sooner. Compost bins make compost much quicker and cleaner than compost piles. You can even make a compost bin whilst living in an apartment with no backyard. They provide the most nutritious homemade compost for your plants.

To build a compost bin, the following steps should be taken:
* Recycle or purchase a plastic bin that has a tight fitting lid. The bin should be approximately 24 inches or taller. The lid is required to keep unwanted critters at bay and to keep the soil moist.

* Drill 8 to 10 small holes in the bottom of your container as well as in the lid to allow for ventilation. It is also possible to drill a few holes into the sides of the bin.

* Place you compost bin in a shady part of your backyard away from your home. If you reside in an apartment or do not have a backyard, your compost bin can be placed on the patio as long as it is not in direct sunlight, otherwise your compost will dry out.

* It is advised to place dry leaves or shredded newspaper in the bottom of your compost bin until it is approximately 1/8 to 1/4 full.

* You then need to place dirt from your garden on top of the dry leaves or newspaper, until the Compost Bin is approximately half full.

* Any waste food or paper product can be placed into your compost bin. Such items include fruit, vegetables, crushed egg shells, paper towels etc.

* Using a shovel or a stick, it is good to give your compost a little stir ensuring that you cover the food scarps with dirt.

* Spray the contents of your compost bin with lukewarm water until it is moist.

* Every second day that you add scraps of food to your compost bin it is advised to give it a stir. Doing this will help to break down the compost.

* Wait 2 to 3 months before using your compost. It can be used to cover flower beds, as potting soil, and sprinkled over your grass as a conditioner for your lawn. However, do not use the entire quantity of compost that you have in your bin. Save at least 1/3 of it so that you can begin again.

It is important to remember that you can have a problem with fruit flies in your Soil Compost Bin. However, if your bin is far enough away from your house, you will not find them a nuisance. If your compost bin is close to your house, then you can place a small scrap of carpet or some plastic over the lid and weight it down with a rock.

Never place meat in your compost bin as this is likely to attract rats and raccoons!