• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Home Composting Methods

October 22, 2010 by ds_15457 Leave a Comment

Composting turns certain waste products into a nutrient-rich material that you can then use in your garden. Large compost piles in the backyard might come to mind, but you can compost even if you have no outdoor space for a compost bin. No matter what the scale of your compost method, your efforts reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill.

Compost Pile

An outdoor compost pile is a basic composting option that doesn’t require any special units or materials. The University of Illinois Extension recommends a heap at least 5 feet wide by 3 feet deep for the fastest composting. This particular size allows the heap to generate enough heat to break down the materials. Stirring the heap speeds up the decomposition process, but it is not required. You should stir the pile when food scraps are added to avoid pests.

You can also build your own structure around the heap to keep it contained. Many different materials work to build a compost structure, including concrete blocks, bricks, landscape timbers, pallets and barrels.

Enclosed Composter

Enclosed composters or holding units keep all the composted materials contained. This process is slower than an open heap or pile because it receives less oxygen. Depending on the design of the unit, you might be able to turn the contents periodically to add oxygen for faster composting. Because new materials are added to the top of the holding unit, the finished compost is usually at the bottom. When choosing this method, look for a unit that allows you to access the compost at the bottom. Barrel composters are enclosed units designed for occasional turning. This allows you to add oxygen to the process for faster compost.

Kitchen Composting

For those with limited outdoor space, a kitchen composting unit is a possibility. The unit itself is small, usually about the size of a 5-gallon bucket. You can keep it under your sink or in a corner of the kitchen, depending on available space. Because of the small size, you might not be able to compost all your food scraps.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting uses worms to help break down the materials at a faster rate. The worm castings also add nutrients to the compost. Red wiggler earthworms are commonly uses for vermicomposting. The process works either indoors or outdoors, depending on your personal preference. You can construct a bin or use an old barrel or other container. A maximum depth of 8 to 12 inches is best, according to New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Around The House

About ds_15457

Shelley Frost has been a freelance writer since 2007, specializing in parenting and education. Her work can be found on websites such as ModernMom.com and PreschoolRock.com. Frost holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a minor in reading from the University of Northern Iowa.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Brooke Burke: My Slim Down Secrets

Everywhere I look, I hear about a new fitness fad, a quick … [Read More...] about Brooke Burke: My Slim Down Secrets

Must Have

winter

Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

"It's beginning to look  a lot like Christmas..." The … [Read More...] about Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

Did you know?

Can Self Rising Flour Substitute for Baking Soda?

Baby Brain Development in the Womb

Tell If You Are Pregnant While Breastfeeding

How to Tell If You Are Pregnant While Breastfeeding

strep throat symptoms in babies

Strep Throat Symptoms in Babies

tricks to get pen stains out of light clothes

Tricks to Get Pen Stains Out of Light Clothes

Cook London Broil in an Electric Pressure Cooker

How to Cook London Broil in an Electric Pressure Cooker

how much weight should a baby gain

How Much Weight Should a Baby Gain?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.