I love in a slightly tightly organized suburban part of a small city in MA, I’ve mocked up a pallet compost set up in a “dead space” of our back yard that is most ideal bc it’s 1) at the top of a hilly part of the yard (nothing will grow bc it’s so impossible to keep water up there); 2) it’s under an unused egress porch that keeps it semi roofed but generally allows for wind, snow melt, etc; 3) it’s hidden in the back yard from neighbors as an eye sore 4) it’s next to the water spigot and we’re in a bit of a wind tunnel spot in the neighborhood.
The plan is old “dead” dirt from a very old raised bed, yard clippings, and veggie scraps that don’t work frozen for a veggie stock.
I’ve left a few feet behind separating it from my home, and some space between it and the fence. It faces South, ever so slightly SW (211 degrees technically)
Concerns: this will presumably be a “hot compost” – is this like a wicked no no to be this close to housing/ fencing (in that case I might not be able to do this at al” bc of space), or is there things that I can actively do to keep this safe?
by zenluchen
12 Comments
Looks like mine. Keep farther away from the house though
Any info on those pallets? Most of them are treated with pesticides amoung other things. Not something you want to be in your compost, unless its purely for ornamental plants.
All this talk about peeing in compost Somebody told me to pee on my plants ☹️
It might also help to say that my biggest fear as a human is fire. Like so beyond anxious always.
I’d move it out from under cover so it gets rained on, but I use mine more for leaves/browns, and have bin in a bed that I can cover / use for greens.
I wouldn’t worry about spontaneous combustion unless you’re packing it full of hay. Or you could spray it down and keep it wet, but you might drown out helpful bugs.
I’d add chicken wire to help hold things in. Also would not put under an awning, use the natural rain to keep things moist.
Did you pee on it?
Nice set up. I would move further away from the house though.
You’re set up time to fill up
Consider lining the inside with landcspe fabric or cardboard to keep the compost and food scraps from falling into the slots
You are all good. I know combusting compost sometimes gets a lot of movement here, but the truth is that it takes a lot of heat for combustion. Keep it moist in the warmer months and regularly turn it every few days and you will have no issues.
Make sure you dont compost the post that holds the roof. I would put a corner there so that compost doesnt get close to it.