You will need:
A trashcan with snap close lid
A drill with 1" bit
Screening material
Duct Tape
Step 1:
Recycle an old trash can or purchase one new ($10 at Walmart), just make sure the lid will snap closed. Start by drilling holes into the trash can, making sure to put several in the bottom of the can for adequate drainage.
Step 2:
To prevent bug infestation or loss of soil, you will need to cut little squares of screen large enough to cover the holes. We were able to recycle a torn screen from our house, but they sell screening material at any hardware store. Position the squares over the holes and seal them with strong duct tape.
Step 3:
For best results, your compost should have equal parts green and brown-- green being your table scraps, veggie peels, egg shells, etc. and brown being yard waste like leaves or pine needles. Be sure not to put in large items as they will take a longer time to compost. Layer your green and brown into the bin and add moisture until the mix is damp. The amount of times you need to add water will depend on climate, but a dry compost bin will take much longer to break down.
Step 4:
Make sure your lid is snapped in place then roll the compost bin around on the ground. This gives you the same effect as the expensive tumblers, and allows the compost to mix.
Step 5:
Continue to maintain your compost, by layering green and brown and adding water. Every few days, roll the bin around to mix. Now you have a compost bin for any size yard!
*NEVER PUT MEAT INTO A COMPOST*
*NEVER PUT CAT OR DOG WASTE INTO A COMPOST*
*FOR BEST RESULTS, KEEP SEPARATE COMPOSTS FOR MANURE AND TABLE SCRAPS*
We keep a separate compost for our chicken waste and our table scraps (though the table scrap compost is quite empty since most of our extra go to the chickens!) If you use a straw or pine chip bedding in the coops, this is your brown material and the chicken poo is the green. Due to the nitrogen content, chicken poo should always be composted before adding to the garden as it can kill your plants.
