Selecting your Compost Structure

Selecting your Compost Structure



Selecting your compost structure is NOT as important as you would think. What is
important is that you create compost.
Compost needs seven main requirements in place for proper decomposition. Those
factors are compost size, air, moisture, fragment size, dry matter, green matter, and
heat. Initially though, you need to make sure that your structure provides minimum
compost size. A compost structure or pile that is too small will not create hot enough
heat for proper organic matter decomposition.
Preference and practicality will be the real reasons for the structure you select. If you
don't have a lot of room in your garden, you may want to use a tumbler or
commercial compost bin. With more room, you have more options, like a compost
pile or a wirebased
compost bin.
Minimum Size of Compost
Your compost structure (or compost pile) must be at a minimum of seven cubic feet
to provide enough heat, air, and moisture for adequate decomposition. Your
"finished" compost should also provide enough compost for your garden to make
your efforts worthwhile.
What's Seven Cubic Feet?
It's easy for me to tell you that the minimum size of your compost pile should be
seven cubic feet, but what does that mean?
· Seven cubic feet is (simple approximates):Two feet wide by two feet deep by
two feet high
· .5 meter wide by .5 meter feet deep by .5 meter high
· 55 gallons
· 208 liters
· 11 5gallon
buckets
· Two full large wheelbarrows