Making Compost in a pit

Making Compost in a pit

Excavate a pit about 4 ft deep, with the length and width according to the space available in your garden. Collect garbage in layers using the excavated soil to close each layer in a similar manner as in the heap method until it is full. Cover up with the rest of the excavated soil and leave for two months. In the third month excavate and make a heap as in the previous article. Now you will have compost that is ready for use on your top layer.
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Making compost in bins on you terrace:

In my first article I mentioned how to assemble a concrete bin. This is a neat idea and most suitable. There is no need for turning as you can easily draw the compost out after a month from the bottom opening. Small pots can sit comfortably on top of this bin. This can be placed neatly in a corner of your terrace. No one will know that it is a garbage bin!
As it is completely covered flies and other pests are kept out.

Compost can also be made in a large plastic dustbin with a lid. Turn over into another bin of the same size when full. The compost is ready for use when it has all broken down into a rough soil like appearance.

I do not recommend the use of metal bins as these can corrode and become unsightly.

Another idea is the have wooden troughs and follow the pit method. But make sure that it is covered to keep pests out if you intend adding wet kitchen waste to the bin. Kitchen waste accelerates the breakdown and adds nutrients to the mix.

No matter in which way you may make your compost remember to shred large leaves such as banana for instance as this takes a longer time to breakdown.

The next point to remember is when you add the kitchen waste put it in the centre of the heap and quickly cover with a good layer of soil to stop flies from breeding.

Don't forget to add lime to your heap, pit or bin. Can even be added in layers and will help in the breaking down process.

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