Hey Guys,
My wife went over her self and built a really nice double compost bin. However she didn't think about air ventilation. So ever since, im doubtful if the compost gets enough air to compost. 4-6 weeks ago I turned the first one to see how it's doing and if was quite wet, compressed and moldy – even a rat seemed to have built a tunnel. All signs for bad composting afaik (compost beginner though).
The main reason for this, however, was I think that we didn't really mix browns with greens and it had too much grass cuttings and kitchen greens without much dry or or brown material.
So when I turned the compost I made sure to mix in leaves, garden soil and have sticks below for drainage. I also added some compost fastener (some minerals which supposedly fasten up the compost process) since I want to use the compost in 3-4 weeks for my main planting.
I just turned the first a bit and also our second and I'm still doubtful if there is some composting happening.. I'm thinking about drilling holes into the sides of the compost so that more air could come inside?
On the left and right, there is space of about 1cm (0,4 inches )between the planks, on the back ist like maybe 0,5cm (0,2 inches). In the front it's pretty much tightly since the planks rest upon each other so that we can pull them up and out.
But I also don't know if I'm overthinking.
I uploaded some pictures here so that you maybe can have a look or estimate.
Thanks a lot
by ausspass
11 Comments
Here are 2 pictures of the actual compost:
Compost 1 as described: https://i.postimg.cc/SN7WkxYt/PXL-20250425-145638772.jpg
Compost 2: mostly grass cuttings mixed with browns and some other greens https://i.postimg.cc/3NQvQs8T/PXL-20250425-145641968.jpg
I think that’s plenty fine, especially if you were worried about feral animals climbing in. Someone just posted in this thread the other day and they did it in mason jar.. it doesn’t get more air tight than that.
I feel like there’s something else that needs to be noted in my comment when it comes to your compost bin, but I genuinely can’t remember… oh wait yeah, don’t forget to piss on that thang
The bins are beautiful! Nice work.
It looks fine. The problems with #1 look like too little browns as you know already.
Though I would imagine it’s tough to turn.
For this reason, I have open front bins that I can just walk into.
Looks great! I would drill a series of little holes. Big enough for air but not mice. Easy modification without having to dismantle anything. You could even spell out something clever? AUSSPASS or COMPOST or whatever….
Definitely overthinking, does not need more air ventilation than that. 💪🏻
Think that’s plenty but could easily put a few PVC pipes with holes in them in the middle without altering the boxes
u/Fantastic_Welder_825
TBH my bin also looks quite like this (including the slates to hold the front boards) and I had many of the same thoughts since we built it but currently it’s still getting loaded up with compost we previously had just in stored in a pile so it hasn’t been actively composting anything just yet.
so it’s quite nice to read all the response that you’ve gotten being so positive.
**BY THE WAY… How is your lid set up?**
how are you keeping it from opening too much and can you close it easily? I think we should add some cross bars like you have, ours is a solid piece of plywood.
I think you’re fine it looks mostly water tight and over moisture is the big reason for ventilation. A lot of people may disagree but air cannot penetrate through a pile of compost unless it is in the early stage with a lot of large pieces of material. The only way to get air into your pile is to turn it.
My bins are entirely closed off on the sides but open on the top because I live in the desert and it helps keep the moisture in. I make great compost every year.
As long as you can manage the moisture yourself I think you will make great compost with that setup. It should be moist like a wrung out sponge not wet.
You did an awesome job on those bins they look excellent! Happy composting!
You’re probably expecting compost to happen a lot quicker than you should. Unless you have a perfect carbon/nitrogen balance on a pile large enough to generate some serious heat, its just going to take a while. My bins that are close to the same size as these took close to a year to get fully composted. I was just using dead leaves and fresh grass clippings, and not over worrying about the balance at any point though.
I would drill a bunch of 3/4″ holes in it with a paddle bit. JMO