A
Composter That Works!!
This
is a basic outline describing a composter built at home. Organic matter broke down so fast that one to
two feet of finished compost could be removed from the bottom of both
composters every year. The composters are
wood and are painted black. The black
colour blends in with the colour of the asphalt driveway. The driveway is a very handy location
especially in winter when snow is on the ground.
We
never mixed or stirred the material in the composter. We just left it alone and it broke down.
It
is not necessary to purchase new materials to construct composters. Materials
used to construct these two composters were:
v
wood
from one or two skids or solid scrap wood
v
two
or three old metal hinges
v
screws
(not nails)
v
hardware
cloth
v
U
– shaped hooks to attach the hardware cloth to the inside of the composter
The
frame of the composters were built first.
Then the side slats were attached. Slats
were situated far enough apart so that the organic matter in the composter was
exposed to air.
Once
composter construction was complete, the sides and top were lined on the inside
with hardware cloth of a mesh size small enough to prevent animals from
entering the composter.
Remove
finished compost slowly in case there is a mouse in the composter.
Location of
the Composter – VERY IMPORTANT
These
composters were situated so that air was able to circulate around all four
sides. They are exposed to full sun and
precipitation. A composter works most efficiently
if it is exposed to weather. The
composting material will not smell if it is able to breakdown properly.
These composters were placed on solid level ground. Solid ground can be asphalt, cement, or patio stones. This prevents animals from burrowing underneath the composter and getting into it. It also provides a clean surface to work on when removing finished compost. Worms and other organisms do not need to be purchased and added to the composter. Worms and other organisms that break down organic matter will find their way into the composter naturally even if it is situated on asphalt, cement or patio stones.
Animals,
other than mice and chipmunks have never gotten into our composter. We used to have a different composter located
in the backyard situated on bare soil.
Animals dug underneath it to get at the organic matter. That does not happen now with the composter
located on the driveway.
Please
do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about these composters. They were constructed separately and then
joined in the middle to make a little storage shelf.
Watershed Stewardship Manager
At Hamilton Conservation Authority Office:
905-525-2181 Ext. 164
soneal@conservationhamilton.ca
At Conservation Halton Office:
905-336-1158 Ext. 2315
soneal@hrca.on.ca
