Compost Bins

A: Three bin models are great but definitely not necessary! Let’s back up to the basics for a moment. In nature, compost happens all on its own; no fancy systems, no separate bins and no help from us. However, that compost takes a long time to decompose into the finished product we know as garden gold. The beauty of a three bin system is that it provides a way for you to separate the newly added ingredients from the in-process material to the finished compost. I’ve seen a lot of configurations but for me, I’ve composted in just one large pile for years. No fancy systems, just occasional moisture to keep the pile damp like a sponge, turning it about once a week to give it plenty of oxygen and I add a good helping of grass clippings, yard waste such as lives and just about everything from the kitchen except meat and dairy. As long as you keep it damp, turn it for aeration and add green and brown waste, you’ll be just months away from the best soil amendment in the world!