Rules for placement and construction of composters

Composting is a great way to naturally improve the soil in your garden and recycle organic waste. In addition to reducing waste, building a compost pile or bin in your backyard can provide you with nutrient-rich compost that will improve the health and yield of your plants. Composting successfully requires knowing the guidelines for building and arranging composters, regardless of gardening experience level.

The first step is to decide where your composter will go. It should be conveniently located without being too near to your home in order to prevent offensive smells. It is best to set it on a level, well-drained surface to prevent the buildup of surplus moisture. A location that receives a healthy dose of both sunlight and shade will aid in preserving the ideal temperature for decomposition.

There are various ways that you can build your composter. You can buy a pre-made compost bin, build an easy open pile, or make a bin out of recycled materials. Enough airflow must be provided by the design, as this is essential to the composting process. Aeration keeps the compost from getting overly compacted and aids in the faster breakdown of the organic matter.

Correctly layering your compost is also crucial. Layer green materials (like leftover kitchen scraps and grass clippings) and brown materials (like straw and dried leaves) in different combinations. The proper carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is maintained by this balance, and it is essential for the microorganisms that break down the waste. Regularly turning the compost will also guarantee uniform breakdown and expedited outcomes.

You can build an environmentally responsible and efficient composting system by adhering to these guidelines. In addition to cutting down on waste in your home, composting offers a sustainable method of feeding your garden. You will have no trouble creating rich, organic compost for your plants if you install and build your composter properly.

Rule Explanation
Location Place the composter in a shaded area to maintain moisture and prevent overheating.
Size Ensure the composter is large enough to handle the volume of waste you produce but not too large to manage easily.
Aeration Allow proper airflow by turning the compost regularly or using a composter with ventilation.
Moisture Maintain a balance of moisture by adding water if too dry or dry materials if too wet.
Materials Use a mix of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials for balanced composting.
Accessibility Place the composter where it is easy to access and manage, preferably near your garden.

Types of facilities for preparing compost

Which kind of composting you require—aerobic or aerobic—determines the kind of composter you need.

  • With anaerobic composting, the decomposition of organic matter occurs without the participation of oxygen, in the presence of anaerobic bacteria.
  • Aerobic composting is the most common type. To process organic matter, oxygen access is provided to it, which is necessary for the life of aerobic bacteria, earthworms, other microorganisms and insects.

Compost pits are set up for the first kind, and their contents are covered with earth or an airtight film after being stored and compacted. In this instance, the decomposition process is sluggish and produces the smelly gases methane and hydrogen sulfide.

This method’s drawback is that, because composting rarely happens above 30 degrees, the weed seeds in the final compost are still viable. In contrast, the temperature in aerobic composters reaches 65–70 degrees. Not only do harmful microorganisms and insect larvae, which are the root cause of many diseases, perish in such circumstances, but also seeds. Decomposition also proceeds far more quickly.

The second approach is therefore more widely used. However, in order to get full fertilizer, you must understand how to build a compost pile on your property.

Plastic container

Installing a prefabricated plastic composter—available at garden centers—is the quickest and most straightforward method. These products can be as basic as prefabricated square or hexagonal boxes without a bottom or lid, or they can be as elaborate as full-fledged containers with ventilation grilles, holes for draining extra liquid, a top lid for loading waste, and a bottom door for removing the completed substrate.

The longevity of the structure, the solution’s attractive appearance, and its simplicity of installation are its benefits. A drawback is its high price. A container similar to the one in the picture costs between 4,000 and 5,000 rubles.

Wooden composter

Making a composter out of wood—from leftover boards and bars from construction, to commodity pallets, to old window and door frames—is far less expensive. It is constructed like a box, either with or without a lid, and has slots for waste to decay naturally rather than solid walls. Pallets are therefore perfect for this use. They are also the proper size. To make a composting bin, just screw four pallets together. For the purpose of mixing and removing the contents, its front wall is removable.

There are multiple methods for creating a wood-based compost pile at your dacha. For instance, boards with end cuts can be used to create a collapsible box for it. Alternately, construct a tiny log home out of the leftover wood.

However, the simplest method is to install boards on four wooden corner posts. The future composter’s corners can have them buried in the ground, or transverse veins can be used to build a frame. Any design will work as long as it has the right proportions and is kept from decaying.

  • The volume of the container must be at least 1-1.5 cubic meters.m., so that the mass of composted waste is sufficient to maintain high temperature and maintain humidity. Optimal dimensions 1×1.5×1.5 m and close to them.
  • Before assembling the box, all prepared wooden elements must be impregnated with an antiseptic properties.
  • At the installation site, you need to remove the top layer of soil and compact the bottom.

Boards are positioned horizontally on three sides after the frame or corner posts are installed, with spaces left in between for airflow. Only the bottom half of the front wall is sutured, up to a maximum of half its height. The upper portion can be removed or shaped like a hinged door. Although the lid is made separately, it is not an essential component of the design and can be omitted.

Depending on what material is available, this design may need to be altered. For instance, construct the walls like a lattice of thin slats or cover the frame with a metal mesh.

Composters with a wooden bottom are made by some gardeners, who find it easier to mix the compost during the ripening process and remove the finished substrate. In this instance, slots should also be present on the bottom, which should be elevated above the surface to allow air to enter the box from below.

Earthworms, who play a significant role in the breakdown of organic matter, find it more difficult to enter compost with such a bottom. Consequently, it is preferable to use bottomless boxes when determining how to make compost in the nation, and to place large branches or other drainage material on the ground to let extra water pass through while preventing obstructions to air circulation and worm migration.

Mesh composter

A sturdy, multi-sized, galvanized steel mesh would work well for building a composter. You just need wire and a breathable non-woven material, like spunbond or lutrasil, in addition to that.

  • A cylinder is rolled from the mesh, making an overlap of 15-20 cm, and fastened with soft wire.
  • The resulting basket without a bottom is installed in place, having previously removed the turf from the ground, and tied to a fence, pole, or any other support.
  • The inner walls are covered with spunbond

  • To prevent the fabric from moving, its edges are turned outward and secured with clothespins or paper clips on the mesh.

Composters from scrap materials

The answer to the question of how to quickly make compost at your dacha lies in your possession if you have old slate sheets, corrugated sheets, or large car or tractor tires.

Advice: Drill holes for ventilation in sheet materials before installing them.

There are various ways to mount them.

  • On a wooden frame – according to the same principle as a plank structure.
  • By digging the lower part into the ground and tying it with wire at the top.
  • By driving pegs into the ground on both sides of the sheet.

A variety of containers, such as concrete rings, old bathtubs, wooden, metal, and plastic barrels, are also appropriate for this use.

Compost heap

It is possible to prepare compost without building a fence or a container to hold organic waste. They are just thrown into one big pile and alternated with sawdust, dry leaves, manure, kitchen scraps, and chicken droppings. However, this approach has a number of drawbacks:

  • the pile has an unsightly appearance;
  • it dries out quickly and requires moisturizing;
  • weeds grow on its surface.

It is preferable to use the free bed for composting if there is enough room on your property for it. To accomplish this, use a shovel to remove the garden bed’s top layer of soil, then fill it with waste in the spring and summer. They are shoveled, covered in dirt that has been excavated, and seeded with green manure—mustard, peas, phacelia, and oats—in the fall.

Vegetable crops are planted in the garden bed the following spring after the soil and fall foliage have been dug up. Additionally, they select a different plot of land for composting.

To guarantee effectiveness and environmental safety, it’s imperative to adhere to a few fundamental rules when installing and building composters. Pick a level, partially shaded, well-drained location to balance temperature and moisture—two essentials for composting. To prevent offensive odors, make sure the composter is conveniently located but not too close to any living areas. To enable adequate aeration, use strong, breathable materials for the structure. Follow local composting laws to stay out of trouble with the law. You can set up an efficient and environmentally responsible composting system in your backyard by adhering to these few guidelines.

Composting can be built and placed in your yard for the environment’s and your garden’s great benefit. You can make sure the composter gets enough sunlight and remains accessible while keeping any possible odors away from living areas by carefully choosing a suitable location. For composting to be easier and mess-free, the area must be level and well-drained.

Take into account the materials that will best meet your needs when building your composter. Composters made from wire mesh, wood pallets, or even recycled plastic bins work well. To expedite the decomposition process, make sure your composter has adequate ventilation and is durable enough to endure weather and frequent use.

Maintaining and layering your compost pile appropriately is essential. Layer green waste (vegetable scraps and grass clippings) and brown waste (leafs and cardboard) alternately. To help the materials break down more quickly and to lessen odors, turn the pile frequently to allow for aeration.

You can build a highly effective composting system that will provide your garden with rich, nutrient-dense compost by adhering to these guidelines. This will not only strengthen the health of your soil but also lessen waste and encourage sustainable living. Cheers to composting!

Video on the topic

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