Many individuals are seriously inclined to learn how to build a composter since they want to use chemical-free fertilizers to grow their garden plants. If you plan to grow peppers and tomatoes, start by preparing a composter first. Composting is the natural process of converting degradable waste materials into a useful fertilizer. Gardeners refer to compost as “black gold” because it enhances the quality and potential of their garden soil and flower beds.

At least 25% of the waste items that are being thrown out can actually be composted. Therefore, composting is one of the best ways to give back to Mother Nature. It is definitely environmentally-friendly and helps reduce landfill waste. The whole activity can be a little tedious, but your hard work will surely pay off when you have a healthy organic harvest after a number of weeks.

To help you make a composter, read the steps below.

1. Identify a composter area. Since not all places allow backyard composting, you should consider inquiring the local authorities about this matter. At home, find an area that does not receive so much sunlight, so that the compost will not dry out easily. If you have an available space close to your kitchen or garden bed, then go for it. In that way, filling the compost pile will be easy, and bringing the “black gold” to your garden soil later won’t be difficult.

2. Build a composter. A composter bin is the one responsible for holding the actual waste materials to be composted. The criteria to consider when building a composter include practicality, ease of use, and aesthetics. For practicality, it must have a locking lid feature so that animals and pests cannot easily access the compost. Ensure that it has holes for aeration purposes; oxygen is very vital in the decomposition process.

   For ease of use, you can choose between stand-alone units or tumbling units. Most stand-alone units usually come with a turning tool that turns the compost. For tumbling units, their prominent feature is the fact that the whole composter can be easily turned. Lastly, in terms of aesthetics, you just have to remember that your composter is not supposed to be an eyesore.

3. Spread out decomposable waste materials. These are your “browns” and “green” waste items. In general, these are tea leaves, tea bags, coffee grounds, vegetable peelings and cores, sawdust, yard clippings, shredded papers, pieces of egg shells, natural fibers, small twigs, and weeds. Then, put these items into the composter. During the early stages, notice that worms, fungi, yeast, and insects will work together in order to breakdown compost nitrogen and carbon.

   It is crucial that you avoid adding raw meat, cooked meat, dairy products, oil, grease, or any cooked food that has an oil ingredient. If you do, you can expect that your compost will have a foul odor.

4. Monitor the compost. You should turn the compost periodically. Turning the compost pile by turning the composter itself, or by using a turning tool, will ensure that the compost breathes properly. Add some amount of water if the compost texture appears dry. You will know it is ready to use when the compost starts to look dark brown with an earthy smell. This usually happens after five to six weeks.

If you are not very familiar with organic gardening, these steps on how to build a composter can appear physically demanding and tiring. However, the fact that you are protecting the environment from destruction due to excessive waste disposal should inspire you to continue. Remember, compost is a very valuable growing medium for your garden plants, while it replenishes garden soil. The truth is that composting is an inexpensive way to get rid of stinky trash at home.