Tips for Building a Compost Bin

At its simplest, composting is really about building a pile of organic material and waiting for it to decompose. Now, like most people, you probably don't relish the idea of having a big pile of decomposing material in your back yard. Building a compost bin is a great way to neatly keep your pile out of sight.

Locating Your Compost Bin
The first step in creating a neat and efficient compost setup is to place your compost bin in a good location. As you consider where to place your compost bin, keep these tips in mind:

• Check the rules. Many municipalities regulate the placement and operation of compost bins. Property line setbacks and other restrictions may limit where you can place your compost bin, so check before you commit to a location.

• Look for balance. You'll want to place your compost bin where it's convenient, but not where it will be close to outdoor activity areas. You'll also want a location that is out of the direct view of neighbors and passersby.

• Keep things on the level. Look for a spot that's level and well-drained-standing water will slow down the composting process.

• Think about drying. Too much sun and wind will dry your compost pile too quickly. Look for a location that gets about a half day of sun and is sheltered from strong winds.

Compost Bin Choices
There is a wide range of compost bin types to choose from. Compost bins break down into two different types: holding bins and turning bins.

Holding bins simply contain your compost pile until decomposition is complete. While holding bins are cheap to build, they take longer to create the rich compost your garden craves. A compost pile in a holding bin takes from 6 months to 2 years to finish the composting process.

Turning bins allow you to turn your compost pile on a regular basis. Configured as a series of open bins or a rotating drum, turning bins are more expensive, but can create compost in one to six months.

Several popular options are:

• Wire mesh. A circular bin can be created simply using galvanized poultry wire or hardware cloth. Wood or metal support posts can add stability and rigidity.

• Snow fence. Snow fence wrapped around a series of posts can create a more enclosed holding bin than wire mesh.

• Wooden turning bin. Using wood and wire mesh, a three-bin turning unit gives you plenty of room to compost a large volume of material. With basic carpentry skills, it is relatively easy to create an attractive, long lasting structure.

• Rotating bins. At the high end of the market, commercial rotating bins can quickly turn organic materials into compost. Some rotating bins can create compost in a matter of weeks instead of months.