What do orange rinds, coffee grounds and a pile of leaves have in common? All three decomposes and can be used in a compost pile and for that waste you can’t throw into that pile consider getting bin hire to dispose of it properly. But what is a compost pile really, and how does one go about creating and maintaining one? Let’s find out!
ProjectBook: Creating a Backyard Compost Pile
Difficulty: Easy!
Estimated Time: Ongoing
What You’ll Need for This Job:
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What is a Compost Pile?
Compost is any decayed organic material that is used as a fertilizer for plants. There are many types of pre-made compost out there. But for hundred (possibly thousands) of years, people have been making their own compost piles.
Backyard composting is a process designed to encourage and speed up the decomposition of organic materials. The materials we add are a mixture of carbon heavy (browns) and nitrogen heavy (greens) that create a mixture for bacteria and other microorganisms to live in and feed on, breaking them down into compost. There are even some neutral organics out there which will break down with out grossly weighing the pile in favor of green or brown, such as egg shells.
What are greens and browns you ask? This handy chart will help differentiate some of the most commonly used greens and browns:
| Greens | Browns |
| Alfalfa | Tea, bags or herbal |
| Clover | Cardboard, shredded |
| Coffee Grounds | Corn stalks |
| Food Waste | Fruit Waste |
| Grass Clippings | Leaves |
| Hay | Newspaper, shredded |
| Manure | Peanut shells |
| Seaweed | Pine Needles |
| Vegetable Scraps | Sawdust |
| Weeds | Straw |
Where Do I make It?
Even a simple pile of leaves will eventually decompose on it’s own. But effective composting is all about location. Choose a level area with good drainage because any standing water slows down the decomposition rate of the composting pile.
Also choose a location where your compost pile won’t be subject to direct sunlight (which will dry out the pile) and harsh winds (which can both dry out and cool the pile too much). You want a warm, moist (but not soaked) pile for the little guys to do their work in.
Along with these considerations, make sure that your pile will be convenient to access. If you’re throwing an orange peel and egg shells into a compost pile you don’t want to have hike a long distance just to add them.
Finally, make sure that your pile isn’t up against a wooden fence after getting some fence staining. If the pile comes in contact with the wood, it will begin to decay along with all of the other organic material.
How Big Should It Be?
Home compost piles should be between 3 x 3 x 3 feet and 5 x 5 x 5 feet. A pile that is too small may not have enough mass to achieve the warmth necessary to encourage the rapid decay of organic material. If a compost pile is too large, it can inhibit the flow of air into the center of the pile. There’s also the trouble of turning a large pile manually, which can be extra tedious above 5 feet.
Building a Container
There are a number of pre-made containers that exist out there, either made of lumber or wire. If you prefer to make your own, you’ll need to decide if you want a wooden or wire container.
Wire Container
Materials:
- 10′ length of 36″ wide galvanized chicken wire
- Zip ties
- Four 4′ tall wooden or metal posts.
Building Instructions:
- Fold back the last 3-4 inches of the cut wire on both sides to create a stronger edge that is clean and easy to latch.
- Break out your zip ties
- Stand your chicken wire up in a circle
- Use the zip ties to tie the two ends together
- Space your posts around the edge of the circle, keeping it the chicken wire tight.
- Hammer the posts into the Ground
Wooden Container
Materials:
- 4 pieces of 2×2 (or 4×4) lumber cut to 3′ lengths
- 16 pieces of 2×6 lumber cut to 3′ lengths
- 2-3/4″ long coated deck screws
Building Instructions:
- Sharpen one end of each 2×2 to serve as stakes. A hatchet or a handsaw will get the job done.
- Fasten four 2×6 boards at equal intervals to two of the 2×2 posts, leaving a few inches at the bottom for the “stake” end to be driven into the earth.
- Stand the completed wall up and hammer it into the ground
- Complete step 2 and 3 to create a second wall, stand this second wall exactly 1 board length (3′) away from the first wall.
- Fasten four of the eight remaining 2×6 boards to the open sides of the walls completing the box.
- Set your bin in place and drive the uprights into the ground with a sledge or heavy hammer.
Get Composting!
There are some additional options and approaches to composting which we will cover in future blogs. For now, enjoy your new compost pile and get it going by adding all sorts of organic materials to it. Again, try to get a healthy mixture of nitrogen and carbon based materials (browns and greens).
Make sure that you’re turning your pile when the internal temperature start’s getting too hot. A good rule of thumb is to turn every 5-7 days. Turning the pile will shift the balance of composted and non-composted materials and allows all parts of the pile to get equal aeration.
Wrap Up
Thanks for reading this blog on making your own backyard compost pile. We can answer any questions you might have and set you up with the any materials that you’ll need. To find the Koopman location that’s most convenient for you, head over to our website at http://www.koopmanlumber.com or just stop by and visit us. We’ll see you next time!
