- Location and size matters
How much compost will you make, if you have a large yard and will be adding fresh grass clippings and have a lot of left over food scraps then consider a larger or maybe two bins (so you can have compost ready at different times too). If on the other hand you only have minimal waste go for a smaller sized bin that you can easily fill.
Consider if you just want a static tub bin or if you want to compost faster go for a rotating bin like we here at Suburban Farmer recommend. http://www.suburbanfarmer.com.au/product/compost-tumbler/
Choose a sunny and easily accessible area of your yard, preferably on flat ground.
- Collecting kitchen waste
You need a good sealed kitchen waste bin to collect your leftover organic matter from your kitchen, preferably nothing too large so you can easily empty it every couple of days. Or you could try a Bokashi bin for your kitchen waste and make sure you don’t compost cooked food or meats.
- Filling your composter
Empty your kitchen waste into your bin and try to keep a good balance between green and brown waste. Essentially green waste = kitchen scraps and grass clippings, brown = paper, cardboard, dead leaves and pruning’s.
- So when is it ready?
The $64 question! Depending on many factors how long your compost takes to mature but depending on the bin type somewhere between 3 weeks and a few months. Static bins mean the compost at the bottom will be ready first whilst rotating bins will all be ready at the same time. Keep the mixture damp and when it has a soil like consistency and an earthy smell it is ready to go.
- Get it on your garden
If you have a static composter you need to empty, usually via a hatch at the bottom or empty a rotating bin by tipping onto a tarp placed underneath.
Spread that lovely organic material over your garden, you can leave it on top of the existing soil or turn it in. Water thoroughly and let the plants enjoy all that nutrients.
Oh and step 6………….start all over again.