How to Build a Compost Bin

Composted Dirt is Gold for Your Garden

Everyone should have their own compost bin whether for yard waste like leaves or grass clippings or to recycle leftover food scraps like eggshells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peelings. Composting kitchen waste keeps these items from the landfills and has the added bonus of producing nutrient rich compost for enriching your soil in gardens or garden pots. It is easy to make if you follow simple composting rules. But first to get started, you'll need a compost bin, store bought or one you can easily make. Please check out this DIY compost bin using a trash can you may already have, a drill and a paddle drill bit. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Prep the Bin

If repurposing an old trash can, thoroughly rinse it out before using. You don't want any lingering remnants of non-biodegradable materials in your bin and remove any labels.

Step 2: Drills Holes

Attach the paddle bit to the drill. Starting a few inches from the lid, drill a hole into the trash can. Space another hole approximately three inches from the first hole, and continue across making a row of holes. Then continue down to make a second, third and fourth row, etc. Once the first side is completed, you will have made a grid pattern. Continue drilling until you have rows of holes that span both the width and length of your bin on all 4 sides.

Step 3: Clean Out Bin

Thoroughly wash out the trash can again to remove any plastic shavings from drilling.

Composting Tips and Tricks

For a healthy compost bin, please follow these few guidelines and tips. it's important to feed your compost pile with the right materials and encourage them to start breaking down and creating the best nutrients for your garden:

• There are two types of composting: Hot and cold. Hot composting "fast-cooks" the materials with nitrogen, carbon, air, and water to create compost in only a few months. Cold composting simply requires collecting materials in a bin and letting them naturally decompose over the course of a year.

• Good materials are the key to good compost. Fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, grass clippings, dry leaves, finely chopped wood, shredded paper, straw, and sawdust from untreated wood all make great compost.

• Bad materials can harm your pile, and eventually your garden. Don't try to compost any diseased plant parts, treated wood, animal feces, weeds that go to seed, or anything containing meat, oil, fat, dairy, or grease.

• Certain other materials should also be limited or avoided all together since they will lessen the efficiency of the compost (meaning they will cause the composting process to take a bit longer) in addition to being really tantalizing to the neighborhood critters. These items include: citrus peels, onions, bread, and walnuts.

I call compost “garden gold”. A good compost can help nutrient- enrich soil for new gardens and refresh existing gardens. The fact that I am also keeping lawn and kitchen waste from the landfills is an added bonus. Make your own compost bin or purchase, either way get ready to compost and help the environment.

Gorham residents can purchase The Earth Machine Composting Bin for $52 at the Gorham Public Works. Please check out the Gorham Public Works Composting Page for more information. If you're not in Gorham, check with your town's website. They may have a similar offering.

Rain Barrels - Something Else for the Garden

Did you know that you can get discounted rain barrels for your yard/garden from Portland Water District? Each year, PWD partners directly with the manufacturer to offer rain barrels at 50% off the retail price. Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water and reduce pollution. Rain water collected from your roof can be used to water lawns, gardens, and indoor plants. Orders for 2022 will continue until they've reached their cap. Barrel pick up dates will start on June 25th, 2022. Please see their website from more information.