(The microbes that work to break down your compost materials need air to survive, and without air holes in the bin, they won’t receive it. Or, roll chicken wire or hardware cloth into a cylindrical shape. QUESTION: Should I drill holes in my compost bin? The composting process will take a couple of months to complete, as you'll have to wait for stuff to decay without worms assisting and speeding up the process. The first is to mix the material around in the bin using a garden fork or compost aerator. ANSWER: Your compost container at least needs to have air holes in its bottom surface, so if there are none, you’ll need to drill plenty of holes in the base so that excess moisture can drain out, unpleasant smells have an escape route, and oxygen can circulate. Makes even the most determined rats give up and walk away shaking their heads. How often should you change compost in pots? Many holes should be drilled in this container for good air flow and drainage. Crabgrass is an annoying, creeping, annual grass that can quickly invade lawns, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. And although they do provide deeper integration of soil improvement than topdressing and core aeration, they lack the ability to really take the organic material into the deeper layers of soil (that is unless you are able to dig really deep or use some form of machinery). If you are needing compost quickly for a garden, flower bed, or lawn top dressing, then this is the way to go. The primary difference between this method and active composting is that there is no turning involved. If you want to dispose of kitchen scraps without attracting pests, trench composting does the trick. How To Compost: Everything You Need To Know To Start Composting, And Nothing You Don't. This is why it is highly recommended to keep your worm bin indoors. You can even get a rounded compost bin that you roll instead of turn. Turn it with a compost pitchfork about once a week so that everything "cooks" consistently. Simply put, in-ground composting works by digging a hole or trench into the ground and placing a mixture of nitrogen and carbon-rich organic material inside. There is no ongoing work to be done. About Us       Contact Us       Privacy Policy        SiteSearch       Newsletter, by Tara Garner  Â© Copyright 2008-2020     Clean-Organized-Family-Home.com. It will get very hot inside. Indoor plant containers are the botanical equivalent of the basic black dress. Are Earthworms Truly Good for Our Gardens? You can gain experience with these methods, and then decide whether you want to “upgrade” to a container. Having lots of holes in your compost bin can also allow air to escape the container, as well as releasing valuable moisture. Be sure to cover the scraps with soil. Above all else, just remember that while there is some science involved in composting, you don’t have to be a scientist to be successful at it. Can I put old potting soil in my compost? Click here for the full disclosure statement, How to Make Worm Tower for In-Ground Composting, this will tell you everything you need to know to create your own garden compost from kitchen scraps. In fact, once you put the scraps to work, you don’t even have to think about them again! In-ground, or “In-Situ” composting is a passive, cold composting approach to amending the soil while making use of kitchen scraps and yard debris. When adding eggshells to an active compost pile it is recommended to crush the shells first. The other disadvantage to dig and drop and trench composting is that they are not always suitable for an existing lawn. How soon can I plant after adding compost? Composting without the confines of a container takes place in two basic ways: aboveground in a freestanding pile or below ground in a hole. Adding citrus, for example, is often discouraged when practicing active composting for fear of increasing the acidity of the material. Empress of Dirt Creative + Frugal Home & Garden Ideas. ... As for rodents, I have never had a single compost hole dug up by any type of critter. Despite an abundance of raccoons, armadillos, field rats, and countless other outdoor pests that roam Southeast Texas, I’ve yet to have any issue. Mix and turn compost... Compost tumbler. Add garden wastes such as grass clippings, leaves, or plant prunings. If you have lots of yard space and elbow room, freestanding piles are fine. Unlike corporate website companies, the authors on this website regularly use many of the tips and recommendations provided in their own garden and lawncare. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. I’ve witnessed the positive effects of this approach first hand. Then, I can simply lay it back over the organic material (I add a few inches of soil between the scraps and the sod) and it is hardly noticeable when I’m done. ANSWER: Composting is an aerobic operation, meaning air circulation is a necessary component in every compost bin to ensure proper decomposition.Having air in your compost bin is not simply dependent on air holes, however. Eggshells, of course, are a mainstay, as are coffee grounds. When your heap is about 3 feet tall, cover it with 2 inches of aged manure, which is available online and at garden centers. Make a heap of table scraps (no dairy, fat, or meat, which will attract rodents and other critters.). He knows exactly what the challenges are to nurturing a thriving yard in difficult soil. This is exactly what it sounds like and is the simplest approach to in-ground composting. It's time to begin transplanting plants indoors. On the other hand, if you are simply looking for a quick and easy way to put kitchen scraps to good use, gradually improve your soil in the process, and lower the amount of biodegradable material that you send to landfills, these in-ground composting techniques are excellent options. They recommend a pile no smaller than 3 feet wide, deep, and high (source). The hole is then covered with soil and left to decompose as nature dictates. Paul has a two-acre yard on red clay soil in Southeast Texas. Your email address will not be published. In-ground composting, on the other hand, can be done at any time with any quantity of material. (It also helps if you don’t have looky-loo neighbors to peer with dismay upon your mounds of organic matter.). Therefore, drilling holes … Based on the same principle as dig and drop but with a little more work involved, this method involves literally digging a trench instead of a single hole. How often should you change compost in pots? You just have to find the right one for you - a plant that matches your personality, lifestyle, and skill. They include the following: Sprawling piles of organic matter may appear messy, unless, of course, you like to observe big piles of leaves, grass, and plant trimmings shrink into smaller piles of chocolate-brown compost. Your email address will not be published. If there is one area where in-ground cold composting really shines it is in the encouragement of worm populations in your soil. It doesn’t matter. I tend to lay some dead leaves or pine straw in the bottom of the hole just to make sure I’ve got that carbon ingredient if I’m lacking carbon sources that week but there’s not much thought that goes into it beyond that. There are countless ways to do this but the three primary methods for in-ground composting are dig and drop compost holes, trench composting, and my favorite method for truly deep soil integration, drilling holes. Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earn a commission on qualifying purchases. If you don't have a good spot on the ground in your yard for a compost pile, consider getting a compost bin. Does what it’s supposed to do, breaking down food scraps and garden cuttings in a reasonable amount of time. In fact, the presence of air in your compost bin is much more dependent on the mix of materials in your bin and the structure of the materials mixed together in your bin than the presence of air holes in the composting container. Composting without worms is possible though it takes a bit more time. Composting is an aerobic process, which means air is vital to ensure effective decomposition. Kids love this type. If you like the idea of composting but are a bit squirmish when it comes to the worms part, not a problem! I don’t worry about it too much since ants actually provide benefit to my clay soil yard. Keeping patio furniture clean can be a challenge. Required fields are marked *. Year-Round Composting (Without Pests) This brush with trouble prompted me to develop my simple winter compost bin. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. As the University of Illinois Extension explains, compost piles require mass to heat up effectively. By digging into the ground and adding organic material, you are changing the structure, texture, and composition of the soil while providing essential nutrients. Some people believe that before you can cover up a trench compost pile you need to fill the entire thing. He takes a practical approach to yard improvement and enjoys putting best practices and “golden rules of lawn care” to the test. Yet tidying up outside often takes a backseat to garden and pool parties. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies.

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