There are several different types of compost containers. Some are built simply with items on hand, while others can be quite fancy and complicated. The important thing to remember when considering any type of container or structure for your compost heap, is that the compost must be kept moist up to the very edges. Another important thing to remember is that it has to be easy for you to get the compost out easily when it’s time to dig it into your garden.

Many compost containers can be store bought, and these typically come in wood or plastic. The store bought wood types must be assembled, and have slatted sides that will allow adequate air circulation. Front panels may be lifted out for easy access to the compost.

Plastic compost bins are suitable for small gardens. Air is allowed to pass through the bottom though a lid keeps contents dry and heat inside.

Many gardeners prefer to build their own compost bins, and the designs and sizes are as varied as the minds that create them. Such structures can be made of posts and chicken wire and cardboard, or fashioned out of a large plastic barrel. Others get a little fancier and build brick compost containers.

The amount of compost you can make on a yearly basis will depend on the types of materials you have, and on the weather. Getting good compost takes some planning and proper layering technique. Grass cutting should be mixed with either weeds or shredded newspaper or other layer divider, like straw, to prevent them from turning into a hard lump of slimy mess that is worthless. Some people use straw to separate layers of their compost heaps, but it must be thoroughly soaked with water before adding to the heap.

Ideally, your compost heap should be layered in a certain order. Many start the heap off with a layer of horse manure or straw, followed by grass cuttings, then another layer of manure. Every few layers, add some sort of a compost activator or nitrogen fertilizer onto the heap. Horse manure acts like a nitrogen fertilizer, so if you have access to that, by all means, use it. Continue loading your compost heap, little by little until it is full. Then cover it with a lid or something that will keep the contents dry.

In as little as a week, your heap will have compacted and seemed to shrink, which will allow you to add more items as time passes. Generally speaking you should be able to get two good batches of compost out of your heap in a year, one in early summer, another in the late fall, even more if it’s been a warm year.

Compost containers vary by type. Some are built simply with items on hand, while others can be quite fancy and complicated. There are two important thing to remember when considering any type of container or structure for your compost heap, 1) compost must be kept moist up to the very edges. 2) it must be easy for you to get the compost out easily when it’s time to dig it into your garden. Compost containers can be purchased or hand built.

Copyright © Larry Gildea, All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: best, bins, build, buy, cheap, compost, compost bin tumbler, composter, composting, containers, gardening, homemade, kitchen, organic, purchase, starter