How to Build a Compost Bin

If you want to build a compost bin, you need to embark upon the process without giving it much thought. I say this because building a compost bin is an easy process. Before you start to prepare for a homemade compost bin, let me acquaint you with what a compost bin is.

Steps to Build a Compost Bin
A compost bin is a box like object that consists of organic waste matter such as food, waste, animal excreta decompose into a soil like matter called humus. Composting is a natural process of soil formation through decomposing agents such as bacteria, fungus and worms. Thus, bacteria, fungus and worms act like catalysts. To build a compost bin for your garden, follow the step by step guide. Here's the procedure.

1. First and foremost, buy a plastic bin that will allow you to accumulate compost. Make sure that the bin you are buying has a lid/cover. The lid is a mandatory requirement as the compost needs to remain moist.
2. Drill a few holes at the bottom of the bin and on the lid as well. The holes serve to be the ventilating points for the compost.
3. Now place newspapers and leaves inside the bin as the base. Make a solid foundation with the same and then place the waste matter and fill half the bin with the same.
4. Next step is to place waste such as paper scarps, fruit skin, vegetable waste, animal excreta, fish and chicken bones.
5. Stir the contents of the bin with a stick and cover the scrap and its other accompaniments with soil available in your garden.
6. Spray some warm water to make the contents moist and cover the compost bin.
7. Your compost bin is now complete!

Things to Remember

• Make sure that your compost bin is placed away from direct sunlight. The rationale behind this advice is that the compost needs to be moist all the time. Placing it where sunlight is strong can get the compost and its contents to dry up, thereby restricting the formation of new soil.
• Do not add a bucket full water to the compost. It just needs a few spray sessions. The compost needs to be moist and not soaked and floating in water
• Keep adding food waste, scraps, vegetable residues to the compost bin. And don't forget to stir the content as the act of stirring leads to a speed up in the process.
• You can use the compost after a month or two have passed. It could be used for potting your plants, or sprinkled all over your garden to cover flower beds.
• Always remember to keep a part of the compost intact in the bin. With this left over compost you could start the process of composting again.

Compost Bin Plans
There are several compost bin plans that could be employed to build compost bins. They are as follows:

1. Holding Units - Holding units are box like structures that hold the waste matter. The waste matter then decomposes to form new soil. It is considered to be the cheapest and slowest way of decomposing waste.
2. Turning Units - Turning units or rotating compost bins involve placing a huge barrel that could be turned or rotated regularly. The process of decomposition is faster. The only hitch is that the labor costs are high in order to execute this activity on a regular basis.
3. Creating Heaps - Building a heap is the cheapest way for composting process as no physical structure is required. The heap should be 3 feet in height and width.
4. Underground Soil and Waste Decomposition - As the name suggests, the waste matter could be mixed with soil and buried at least eight inches below the ground level. This is a good way of composting.
5. Worm Composting - A process where worms serve to be the prime agents in decomposing waste matter; such as, vegetable residues. Red worms can decompose the food waste matter accompanied with newspaper and cardboard pieces. It requires a moist, rather a damp environment to speed up the process of composting.

These are the different methods you could expend to make a compost bin. Keep in mind that through the process of composting you are practicing the concept of waste management ... now that's a sign of one responsible citizen!