Why don’t people use rubbermaid containers for composting?
Question by Wolf Mike: Why don’t people use rubbermaid containers for composting?
I want to start composting, but I want my compost container to be outside my house.
I was planning on using a rubbermaid container as my bin. I don’t plan on adding worms to my bin. Only problem is I’ve been looking online and nobody seems to be using a rubbermaid as their bin.
This makes me think rubbermaids shouldnt be used as bins.
Is there something wrong with using rubbermaid containers as composting bins?
What if I leave the bin outside with the lid open?
Best answer:
Answer by rundown73
Compost needs air circulation.
You can use a rubbermaid as long as you cut plenty of holes in it.
What do you think? Answer below!
Building A Compost Bin
Organic materials need composting for producing a form of useful end product called compost. Although composting might happen naturally but humans intervention will make the overall process quick. There are naturally five methods for composting a material which are heaps, turning units, soil incorporation, worm compositing and holding units. The contents that are placed in the container may differ from organic materials like leaves to disposables like food waste. In fact, the basic rule is to cut the materials into small pieces and also prevent the smell from filling the home by addition of ammonia to the compound. It is important to select a compositing method so that you an appropriate compost container can be built. It is easy to build such container.
Following are some basic and simple steps for building a compost bin. Different materials can be used for building the bin.
The popular choices among builders are wire mesh, wood, concrete block or a combination of more than two materials. Most suitable items to compost large amounts of garden, kitchen and yard wastes are wire and wood three bin turning unit. This is a strong structure that will last for a long time, although the building cost may be lightly high as compared to others. The basic materials and tools needed for this task are hardware cloth, lumber, bolts and nuts, galvanized nails, hand saw, hammer, drill and tape measure.
First, frames have to be built using 2×4 lumber by creating a 36 inch by 35 inch ‘square’. The pieces of hardware cloth have to be stretched across each frame. It has to be ensured that the corners of the cloth are tightly stapled to the frame. The wood frames and wires will function as dividers. Next, two dividers have to be set by approximately 9 feet apart and parallel to each other. Then, a 9 foot piece has to be cut from the lumber and two treated boards have to be positioned on top of the dividers. The 9 foot boards have to be marked on the center of inside divider. Then, a half inch hole has to be drilled at approximately one inch from the edge. Now the boards can be secured without tightening with bolts. The step has to be repeating by attaching board to the back of top part. A hardware cloth is to be attached to the back of the bin. Then, a one inch vertical slot is to be created on the inside of each divider by nailing a 34 inch strip to the inside of the divider. It has to be ensured that they are one inch away from the front boards. Horizontal slats can be now inserted into the vertical slots which are in between the dividers. Lastly, all untreated wood are to be stained for keeping it long lasting.
These were detailed steps to build a compost bin, it is fairly easy to build one for recycling waste and producing compost.
You might want to learn how to build a compost bin and also how to build a fire escape
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Detailed instructions for setting up a ‘deluxe’ Rubbermaid worm composting bin
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Making Composting Faster Using Natural Compost Activators
A compost activator is used to aid in the process of composting. Sometimes, this may take a long time because of too much carbon in the compost heap. When the compost pile is overflowing with leaves, there would be too much carbon and the organic material in the solid waste will break down a lot slower. Moreover, when there are so little greens that contain nitrogen, the composting process would also take a longer time than usual.
Temperature also plays a part in lengthening the composting process. Compost tumblers can usually finish the whole process in just four to twelve weeks depending on the size of the heap but when the temperature is below 50 degrees, it would be longer. Heat is crucial in composting and when it is cold, the organic material that is used as natural fertilizers for the garden would break down slower than usual. Also, if you wait for the solid waste to compost naturally, it could bring about flies and could also have a strong undesirable odor.
To avoid this, you could use herbal compost activators and significantly reduce the composting time. Using herbal compost activators would also help in eliminating the bad odor coming from the solid waste heap.
If you insist in using all natural compost activators, you could add comfrey leaves and young weeds to your solid waste pile. Grass clipping and chicken manure are also effective compost activators because they contain both nitrogen and protein. An inexpensive and also the most natural activator you could have in your compost heap is urine. Human urine is not only crammed with nitrogen, it also contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. Put these natural activators inside your compost tumblers to ensure that the organic material from your solid waste would break down smoothly then you could have some healthy fertilizers to make your garden more beautiful.
By composting, you are not only able to reduce your household waste and aid in solving global problems on solid waste, you are also able to help yourself.
To make sure that the composting process runs smoothly, you should not solely depend on the natural activators because the compost containers also affect the process. The top portion should be removable and should always be tightly closed, as with a compost tumbler. That way, the moisture and the heat would not escape and there would be no way rain water could penetrate it and interfere with the composting process.
There are times you need to speed the process of composting for additional information visit our site http://www.composttumblerguide.com/
More Composting Articles
Q&A: What to use in my kitchen to hold composting trash?
Question by anjoek5859: What to use in my kitchen to hold composting trash?
I want to start composting items to make compost with. What can I use in my kitchen to store leftover compost in?
Best answer:
Answer by normobrian
A plastic trash can?
Add your own answer in the comments!
Organic Gardening Soil – How To Ensure Soil Fertility For Organic Vegetable Gardening?
Question by Lilian B: Organic Gardening Soil – How To Ensure Soil Fertility For Organic Vegetable Gardening?
Looking for an organic gardening book that you can recommend to learn more about pesticide-free gardening.
Best answer:
Answer by Cel Z
In organic gardening, soil quality decides vegetable quality. That’s why you need good quality compost to keep the soil productive for organic vegetable gardening.
Compost can be made from leaves, dead flowers, vegetable scraps, fruit rinds, grass clippings and manure. The ideal organic soil has a dark color, sweet smell and is full of earthworms. Some soil may need more natural additives such as bonemeal, rock phosphates or greensand. A simple soil test will tell you the pH balance and which nutrients you need to use.
Give your answer to this question below!