5 Things To Remember In Your Compost Bin Plan

Top 5 Helpful Hints

Composting Tip #1 - Keep track of the smell.

The minute there is a hint of a smell it can mean either insufficient turning or an imbalance in your compost ingredients. Make sure that you have at least 75% of brown material to balance of your compost heap. If you already turn your pile a couple of times a week, you may have to turn it more often, especially in hot or humid weather. You can also minimize odor by covering your pile with straw or dry leaves and by making sure any new vegetable or fruits scraps are well mixed in.

Composting Tip #2 - Keep track of temperature.

A compost thermometer is a good investment. Regulating the temperature of your pile will not only minimize odor, it will also help you achieve decomposition faster. Compost microorganisms that assist decomposition will die if temperatures reach above 150 F. On the other hand, they may also disappear if temperatures fall below 100 F. If temperatures are too high or too low, turning will usually remedy the problem. During winter, adding manure will help achieve optimum temperatures for your compost bin plan.

Composting Tip #3 - Keep track of balance.

A correctly balanced pile will not only control odors it can also help speed up decomposition. Use 75% of material such as sawdust, woodchips, and straw and only 25% of kitchen scraps and fresh grass or plant waste. Research on the nitrogen and carbon content of the ingredients you normally add to your pile so that you can provide a healthy balance.

Composting Tip #4 - Keep track of moisture.

It may take too long to break down a dry pile so frequent watering would be needed during hot summers. During months of frequent rain, on the other hand, you have to put enough dry leaves, straw, woodchips, and similar material so that your pile does not grow waterlogged.

Composting Tip #5 - Keep track of distribution.

If your bin is fixed into the ground, you will have to manually mix the pile so that no huge clumps of compost are left too long in the bottom. When mixed with the rest of the pile, these huge clumps can speed up the average decomposition of your compost bin plan.