How to Build a Compost Pile

Compost piles are piles of organic waste that are decomposed in a relatively controlled manner. Such “piles” have many benefits. They provide natural, nutrient rich soil additives, are fun yard projects and provide a way to safely rid one’s self of unwanted yard waste. They are simple and easy to build and maintain.

Compost piles can be scaled from large wire bins to small 5-gallon buckets. I’ve had great success with a five-gallon bucket in central Arizona.

If you would like to build a “5-gallon pile”, it is very simple and cheap to make.

You will need:

(1) 5-gallon pail

(1) ¼ inch drill bit

(1) Drill motor

(1) Old t-shirt (for hot climates)

(1) Stapler (for t-shirt)

Steps:

1.)    Drill 8 holes an inch from the bottom of the bucket 3 inches apart.

2.)    Fill with yard waste, such as grass, seedless weeds, leaves or branches.

3.)    If in a hot, dry climate, add the t-shirt with the collar stapled every 1 or 2 inches to help keep the moisture in and to facilitate airflow.

Tips:

1.)    If you want to speed up the rate of decomposition, add fresh green plant matter, such as leaves, grass, lettuce and plants of that source. The green matter holds nitrogen, which is a vital nutrient for the microbes that munch away. Urine is also a readily available supply of nitrogen (found in the uric acid) and may be added if desired.

2.)    If the pile begins to smell, add brown material (dried leaves, dried sticks or anything that used to grow and is brown) add/or stir up the pile. This smell is the result of incomplete decomposition or too much greens. Mixing the pile adds oxygen and helps propagate decomposition.

3.)    There are many, many different composting techniques. Some will calculate the proper ratio of greens to browns. This can be done, but “winging it” is much easier. It may not be the fastest way to complete a batch of compost, but it is a whole lot easier.

4.)    Any container can be used for the compost; plastic bins, buckets, any heavy-duty plastic container will work. However, don’t use any metal. They can release heavy metals and if you plan to use the compost on vegetables or fruits and intend to eat them, such heavy metals can be toxic.

5.)    Theoretically, anything made from organic material, such as paper, can be used and counted as a brown. However, I’ve found this stunts the rate of completion due to the highly processed nature of the paper.

6.)    Do not add seeds of plants that you do not want to grow. They will not be sterilized, as the pile is too small to generate sufficient heat to kill them. When you spread out the compost, all those seeds will be thoroughly entrenched with you your prized petunias.

7.)    I avoid using tap water to keep the pile moist. The microbes will thank you when they’re not fighting the chlorine and fluorine additives.