This week at Overleaf Gardens I tackled a job I both anticipated and dreaded, the creation of eight dedicated experimental compost bins for eight 8′ x 8′ (inside dimension) raised beds currently set up for vegetables. I dreaded it because I knew it meant prolonged, dirty work in the east Texas summer heat, with some heavy lifting, using some unpleasant and smelly materials. I anticipated it because by the end of the summer, this experiment will hopefully yield a rich compost that will go far in helping me build a rich fertile soil in the Gardens.
Above, L to R: Decaying Autumn leaf mold in black bag; Leaf mold ready for use; Homemade Biochar; Failed sloppy smelly compost.
Step One: Gathering the Compostable Materials.
I have been collecting kitchen waste for compost for two or more years from our kitchen at Overleaf House, and from my mother’s kitchen at her house next door. I’ve been dumping this waste into a single 32 gallon garbage bin with really good results, and last year I was able to dump the full bin of completed compost into a newly finished bed, where I later harvested a really great crop of cucumbers and melons, and this year some amazingly productive tomatoes. Inspired by these results, I’ve been collecting more waste for compost since last year, but unfortunately I let the bin get out of control and it turned into a sloppy, smelly, unpleasant, insect ridden, biological science experiment, mess. I decided to clean up the failed bin and set up a system to use across the garden. To start I emptied the failed compost bin evenly into eight 5 gallon utility buckets, to be distributed into the new compost bins. I gathered several black bags of autumn leaves I collected last year with the intention of making compost. Since then, they have partially broken down into an incomplete leaf mold compost that is ideal for starting my new bins. I also filled several 5 gallon utility buckets with a specially treated homemade charcoal known as Biochar. I intend to write more about Biochar in a future post, but for now, just think of it as a long-lasting natural fertilizer. Those three simple components are the basis of my compost.
Next – Creating the Compost Bins.
Above, L to R: One of eight 32 Gallon black plastic garbage bins with lid; Drilling the holes; Locate the holes in the center of each panel; Holes are spaced about 6 inches apart.
Below, L to R: Holes are about 6 inches from the bottom of the bin; Showing the hole spacing; Holes drilled in the bottom of the bin; A completed bin.
Step Two: Creating the Compost Bins.
I started with eight 32 Gallon black plastic garbage bins with lids. Using a power drill with a 5/8” drill bit, I laid out a pattern of more or less evenly spaced holes around each bin. The bin is manufactured with twelve alternating “panels” that provide strength, and I just used them to help with the spacing. Panel A had four evenly spaced holes, panel B had three evenly spaced holes, panel C had four holes, Panel D three, and so on, alternating around the entire bin. The bottom had one in the center, and six evenly spaced around the diameter for a final total of forty nine holes. I repeated this for seven of the bins. The eighth bin was already set up almost two years ago, but with half the total number holes. I decided to add some holes to make them all the same.
Next – Filling the New Bins
Above and below, L to R: A 6-8 inch layer of Autumn leaf mold; a 1-2 inch layer of Biochar charcoal; a 2-3 inch layer of “failed” compost; Another later of Autumn leaf mold; A second layer of Biochar; A second layer of failed compost; Another layer of leaf mold; more Biochar… repeat until the bin is filled.
Step Three: Filling of the New Bins.
I repeated the filling process eight times in each bin in the following layers. First, an even 6-8 inch layer of autumn leaf mold; Second, an even 1-2 inch of homemade Biochar charcoal; Third, an even 2-3 inch layer of “failed” compost. Repeat the layers in that order until the bin is full, then wet the contents of the bin down using harvested rainwater. I finished it each with a can of expired flat beer (optional). Put the cover on it, and let it rest for a few days.
The contents will naturally settle over the next several days, and as the composting process occurs, the contents will compact even further. As it settles, stir and turn it with a garden fork to incorporate air and encourage decay. At this point I’ll be adding additional layers (in order) of biochar, kitchen waste, and autumn leaves. The idea being that the kitchen waste will break down into the biochar and older leaf layers below, and the covering leaf layer will discourage insects and prevent any decomposition odors. If all goes as anticipated, by next spring I should have eight 32 gallon bins of compost. I’ll update as things progress.
Next week: Completing the Dewberry Vineyard, and acquiring more bricks and stones.
Below, L to R: The final layer of failed compost; A covering of leaf mold; The entire bin soaked with rainwater; The eight newly set up bins with a ninth (at center) used for wood chip storage.
