We’ve had compost bins since April, 2014, but we’ve done several improvements since then. Here is what the original 3 bins looked like.
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| The original compost bins worked great, but the sawdust and wheat straw cover material wasn’t protected from rain. |
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| The finished compost bins. |
A few of the improvements made are:
* A roof was added so that the cover material stays dry in the middle bins.
* Bracing was added to the roof poles to keep them stable for years to come.
* A middle shelf/bin was added to hold up to 4 bales of wheat straw above the sawdust material that is also stored in the middle bin.
* Shovel and pitch fork are mounted in the middle bin for easy access and to keep them dry.
* Utility fencing covers the compost bins to keep critters out. Hinges to open the top is simply fence staples that aren’t hammered all the way in.
The final design holds two years worth of compost. Last years compost is in the far bin and will be ready to use this coming spring. The closest bin is the only bin we have been adding material to for the past nine months or so. Finally, the middle bin is for all of the cover material. We don’t turn the material at all. We add material to a bin for a year and then let it sit for a year. We just keep alternating back and forth between the two bins from year to year.
The bins are working great for us, but I know that we could use much more compost that what we are currently making. I think I’ll need to start asking around for grass clippings, and kitchen scraps from friends and neighbors.