How to Create a Home Composter
Composting involves forming a pile of organic matter and allowing it to decompose to create rich, fertile soil. Create compost piles by adding discarded household waste such as grass trimmings, table scraps and leaves into a pile and turning the pile frequently to allow air to access it. This results in a high internal temperature that degrades the organic matter. Although many commercial compost bins are available, it is just as easy to make a home composter. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hole digger
- 4 square posts, 4 feet long by 5 inches square
- 4 sheets of corrugated iron, 3 feet by 3 feet
- Screws, 3/4-inch
- Screwdriver
- Shovel
Instructions
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1
Dig four corner holes in the ground, using the hole digger. Each hole should be 1 foot deep and should be arranged in a square pattern with 3 feet separating each hole.
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2
Place a 4-foot-long square post into each of the four holes and cover the bases of the poles with firmly packed soil.
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3
Place the end of one sheet of corrugated iron against two of the posts, so that either end of the iron sheet is touching a post. Secure the iron to the posts, using 3/4-inch screws placed at equal distances down each pole.
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4
Attach iron sheets to two of the other sides of the square frame, using the same technique. Leave one side of the square open to allow air flow into the composter, which is needed for proper decomposition.
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5
Lay the final sheet of corrugated iron on top of the structure to prevent rain from washing away the compost. The iron sheet is heavy enough that it does not need to be screwed down unless desired. Leaving it detached provides easy access to the compost pile.
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Tips & Warnings
Place the home composter in a location with well-drained soil and direct sunlight. In addition, choose a location away from the home since the compost pile will have an undesirable odor at times.
Use only treated lumber for the wooden components of the composter.
