Compost Bin

The 1st Compost Bin

It’s no secret, every gardener knows that there is a huge difference between good soil and great soil. The ability to hold in moisture with great structure comes from a good amount of organic matter in the soil composition.

Yes! Compost has all the above and more, slow release nutrients feed the plants continuously throughout the growing months.

My project to built a compost bin started when I designed the garden bed on the 1st of June 2018. Among the first things I built was a compost bin that will seep nutrients directly to the soil.

The opportunity came when my backyard neighbour finally cleared the huge Bougainvillea shrub that grew into a massive structure (almost the size of a pickup truck)

1 June 2018: I started the gardening project by digging up all the stones and concrete left behind by the housing developers. I even manage to dig up a huge concrete block!

I had to leave half the land on my back yard, as my backyard neighbour wanted to use their half of the “common land” to plant stuff as well.
I managed to gather someone else’s disposes wood from their finished project and turn it into this compost bin that in now secured in the middle of the garden that till today, still stands.
1 and a half years of pulling up kitchen waste, leaves & carton boxes, I was able to dig up 6 bags of fresh compost which will later fill the grow bags that I use for smaller plants.

The 2nd Compost Bin

4 Jan 2020

The demand of compost in my garden keeps increasing. Over time, I found a pile of furniture planks at a recycling pile. I immediately drove up and loaded my car with those planks. The new compost bin project can now begin!

4 Jan 2020: I went around the neighbourhood to seek out houses with carpet grass. Especially those that have just had theirs cut. I carried back a total of 12 bags of grass and these filled the compost bin.

Yes, I know there need to be a ratio of greens (nitrogen) and browns (carbon), but i manage to get the compost to “cook” as well. I would see steam coming out from the pile in the early morning visits to the compost bin. A good sign that the compost is “cooking”.

“Somewhat” the 3rd Compost Bin

After trimming both trees (Ciku and Jambu), I ran out of space to store the leaves for composting. I had to create a makeshift storage using the cage that I used for the rabbit and chicken I use to keep. (Yes chicken).

The idea is to get these to dry up.. and manageable. To prevent smells when wet. Will moisten the pile periodically and plan to try using “Rice Bran” as a fermentation agent (Bokashi method). I never tried this before, and hope it works. Anyone have some tips on this, please feel free to share.
Bokashi Compost video
DIY Rice Water – Bokashi Bran Recipe