Wooden Compost Bins

A substantial amount of garden and kitchen waste can be added to your compost bin. Compostable materials fall into two categories: 'greens' and 'browns', with an ideal compost mix consisting of 50% greens and 50% browns.

Greens consist of grass clippings, young weeds, spent plants, tea bags, coffee grounds, and vegetable scraps. These decompose quickly, supplying nitrogen and moisture essential for compost formation.

Browns encompass straw, sticks, twigs, wool, hair, cardboard, sawdust, and ashes. These break down more slowly, creating air pockets while providing fiber and carbon. Crushed eggshells also contribute valuable minerals to the mix.

In landfill sites, biodegradable materials such as food, paper, cardboard, textiles, and garden waste decompose anaerobically due to microbes, generating a combination of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, significantly more harmful than carbon dioxide on a per-weight basis. By reducing the amount of biodegradable waste sent to landfills, you can effectively help decrease methane emissions into the atmosphere.

Compost bins enable the aerobic breakdown of waste in the presence of oxygen, producing minimal methane and yielding nutrient-rich compost as a valuable byproduct.

Rats can be a problem, but only if you're not careful with what you compost. Refrain from composting dairy products, cooking oil, meat items, used personal products, rice, or bread, as these can attract pests and potentially turn your compost into a health hazard.

Yes, you can compost leaves. In fact, leaves are an excellent source of "browns" in your compost bin, which provide carbon and help balance the nitrogen-rich "greens." It's a good idea to shred or break down larger leaves to speed up the decomposition process. Be sure to mix leaves with other compostable materials to maintain a well-balanced compost pile.

The length of time it takes for compost to mature in a compost bin varies depending on factors such as the materials used, the size of the bin, and the environmental conditions. Generally, compost can take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years to fully decompose and become ready for use.

To speed up the composting process, ensure that you maintain a proper balance of "greens" and "browns," turn the pile regularly to aerate it, and keep it moist but not soggy. Once the compost has reached a dark, crumbly consistency and has an earthy smell, it's ready for use in your garden.