How to start a compost bin?

Spanishbeauty

Hi all, I'm not a normal lurker (although I do on occasion) so I'm sorry to post out of the blue.  I just figured you ladies would have some good information on this. 

I just received a turn-able compost bin as a gift.  I've been wanting to start one, but don't really know how.  Do I just start throwing stuff in it or do I need to start with some soil?  For our family, its purpose is mostly to reduce our trash and to use in our (very small) planter area.  I might some day use it for a veggie/herb garden, but right now we don't have one.  I live in Texas and the bin will be outside and probably in the sun (can't really get away from that in 105* heat!).  Do you have any helpful tips and/or websites you can point me to? 

SuperGreen

Here's a good link for composting: http://www.gardeners.com/All-About-Composting/5061,default,pg.html

I have a standing bin, so I'm not sure how to start a tumbling bin.  With a bin on the ground, the compost gets broken down by worms and other microbes that come up from the soil.  I'm not sure how that would work with a tumbler.  Hopefully someone else will have better info for you!

woditiana

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tbearsangel

I have a pile on the ground. It's surrounded by pallets and works really well for us. I started just throwing stuff on the pile... potato peels, veggie trimmings, egg shells and coffee grounds, etc... in other words, mostly greens. I only started in the spring a year ago, so it took a little while to see anything happen. I then added bags and bags of leaves last fall and come this spring it really took off. I couldn't believe how fast the HUGE pile of leaves decomposed to great black dirt. I also bought a paper shredder and shred any junk mail to put in there as a brown and it really helps throughout the year when I don't have leaves to balance it out.

I occasionally cover it with a smaller pallet if the rain gets it too wet and turn it whenever I think about it... usually about once week or two. HTH and good luck. Give it some time to work out...

abama

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Magdala9

Start by cutting the grass.  Grass clippings provide a great base.  The hot weather with cause composting to happen faster...things break down faster in the heat so watch your ratios of greens to browns.  The tumbling means you don't have to turn it by hand.  You will have great compost for your herb garden.