Cold Composting

Manufactured compost bins are discreet and of manageable size.

The green revolution has inspired more and more homeowners to turn to composting for their organic waste disposal and soil enriching needs. Cold composting is one of the easiest forms of composting. Many beneficial nutrients in cold compost remain uncompromised by high temperatures. Unfortunately, the process is slower, but once established, the cold composting bins will provide you with a continuous supply of lawn and garden food.

Things You'll Need

• 2 compost bins
• Straw or leaves
• Plant or grass cuttings
• Soil
• Shovel or pitchfork
• 2 tarps

Instructions

1. Use two compost bins, approximately 27 cubic feet in size (3 feet in each direction) that have open bottoms. Manufactured bins are available, or simple bins can be constructed from plywood, fence panels, or sheet metal.

2. Wet the ground at the bottom of one bin.

3. Spread a layer of straw or dried leaves on the bed of the bin.

4. Mix plant or grass cuttings and healthy soil to begin a compost pile in the bin with the wet ground. Buy potting soil to initiate the compost pile, if necessary.

5. Spray the pile lightly with water.

6. Add acceptable organic matter to the pile as it becomes waste.

7. Turn the compost periodically with a shovel to redistribute and aerate the contents.

8. Spray and cover the compost with a tarp during days of drought or high temperatures.

9. Start and maintain the adjacent compost pile the next year, and in the same manner as the first. Stop adding organic waste to the first bin, and add it to the second for the next year.

10. Extract compost for addition to soil from the first compost bin after two years of its inception. Extract compost from the second bin a year later.

11. Continue to alternate piles to allow organic matter enough time to degrade, and you'll have a continuous supply of compost.

References

• Compost: Hot and Cold Compost