DIY Composters for Your Garden
WHEN INTEGRATING COMPOST into your garden, you’ll want to consider which composting process best fits your needs. There are countless reasons people take an interest in composting. A few of the most common motivations include a desire to lessen their environmental impact, improve their garden soil’s nutrient availability, and, of course, for fun! Fall is a great time to start preparing compost for spring garden beds.
FROM TRASH-CAN TO TREASURE
Plenty of people will already have the makings of this unique composter lying around at home. The original concept was presented in the September/October 1976 issue of Heirloom Gardener’s sister publication, Mother Earth News, and differs from other compost bins that simply rest on top of the ground. This composter goes subterranean by sitting in a 15-inch-deep hole surrounded by soil. Holes drilled around the lower sides and in the bottom of the bin allow water to seep out, while allowing worms and other organisms to creep in. The secure lid keeps out unwanted critters. You can make this bin with plastic as well, if a metal can is unavailable.
