How to Build a Compost Bin

Instructions

1. Recycle or buy a plastic pail/bin with a tight fitting lid about 24 inches tall or taller. Your pail needs a lid to keep critters out and to keep soil moist. We used the Rubbermaid® Roughneck® Rectangular Wheeled Refuse Container because its' wheels make it easy to manuever and the cover is ideal for this type of project.
2. With a drill, make 8 to 10 small holes in the bottom of your container for aeration purposes. If necessary, drill a few holes on the sides / walls of the bin. Try the Black & Decker® 6V PivotPlus™ Rechargeable Drill with the 3/16" x 4" Rotary masonry bit. The smaller the drill bit and holes created, the better.
3. Place your compost bin in a shady area away from your home in the back yard. If you live in an apartment or have no backyard, you can place your bin on the patio. Be sure your compost is not in full sun or your compost will dry out.
4. Place some shredded newspaper or dry leaves on the bottom of your compost bin, fill about 1/8 - 1/4 full. Next, add some dirt from your garden on top of the newspaper, until your compost is 1/2 full. Now, place any food scraps or paper products into compost. Things like fruit, vegetables, crushed egg shells, paper towels, etc all will work great!
5. Give your compost a little stir with a shovel or stick, making sure to cover your food scraps with some more dirt. Spray the waste with lukewarm water until moist, but not soaking wet. Place the lid on the bin and make 8 to 10 more small holes on bin lid.
6. Every other day you add food scraps to the bin you should give it a stir. Mixing the compost will help breakdown the scraps faster. For easier mixing, tip the bin on its side and roll it a few times. Don't put meat in a compost bin or it will attract raccoons and rats. It may also make your compost smelly.
7. For faster decomposition, chop the materials into smaller pieces rather than big pieces. Smaller pieces decompose faster and decomposition time is reduced. Make sure the bin is moist all the time, but not soaking wet as this may result in slow and untidy compost. Use the Hudson® Farm'n Garden™ Multi - Purpose Sprayer for controlled, even water distibution.
8. One of the most common problems with having a compost is the smell. If your compost begins to smell very strong, it could be due to too much water in your bin or too many scraps. To ease this problem, do not add any extra scraps for a few days, stir the compost to aerate and drill a few more small holes if necessary.
9. When the scraps are fully decomposed, from top to bottom, do not use it yet. Newly decomposed compost still contains heat that may kill the plants. To avoid this, make sure the scraps are well decomposed. Remove the lid of the bin and place the bin in a sheltered area away from direct sun and rain. Leave the bin for 2 days or until the compost is cool enough to touch.
10. Wait 2 - 3 months to use your compost. Compost can be used as mulch to cover flower beds, as potting soil or sprinkled over your grass as a lawn conditioner. Don't use it all though, save at least 1/3 of your original compost and then you can start all over again.