Compost Bin Design

Our compost bin is not perfect. It may not even have the right basic qualities given other conditions. In any case, based on my experience, I have come up with a better design.

The use of screen, drawable door in front and access on top fit my needs. The screen protects the contents from insects’ entry and exit but then it must be strong enough or easy enough to repair against rodents' damage. Also, the bin must be placed in an area where there is enough space for the passage of my garden helper and companion, Nina my cat, to discourage the intervention of rodents. She loves any yummy resisting little beasts that she would spend hours and hours hunting along the stone wall and near the compost bin.

About the top cover, although in our climate condition here in Italy it still is not yet rotten after eight years,  though a little weak now, I am sure in humid and rainy places it will not last for even a year. It must better be made of an impermeable cover, perhaps of plastic or metal sheet, and inclined to drain down water. The contents of the bin must not be soaked with water.

I used to throw all kitchen wastes into the bin including bones and shells. I know that it takes a very very long time before they get decomposed. I know that I should better collect them, dry and pound them into powder and mix with my garden soil. This way, I put them back to the soil, being rich in calcium.

There are plenty of other designs of compost bins. This depends on what material is available, how much time one is disposed to spend into composting, space available, and climatical conditions. For example, some use round barrels so the contents can be turned easily by just rolling the barrel on the ground. But then there should be a system to avoid the contents from spilling out and allowing enough aeriation at least when it is not in motion. I any case, I don’t think one must spend money in making a compost box, if not, very minimal. There should always be some material in one’s backyard and some creativity in one’s head and hands to make one.