Many owners of summer cottages and gardens use compost to improve soil structure and increase fertility. It is easy to make it yourself, recycling organic waste for several months in a compost box. To build such a structure is easy with your own hands from boards, old pallets and other improvised materials.
Content
Purpose of compost capacity
A compost mixture is made from organic waste, which is always abundant in the country house or garden. To do this, they are stored in a special pit or container. Moreover, the latter option is used more and more often. The compost box looks more neat and attractive than the pit. Above it, some summer residents arrange small beds to grow zucchini, squash and some other vegetables. In addition, it is easier to get humus from such a container.
Prior to the construction of the composter for a summer residence, choose a place where to put it. The shaded part of the garden is well suited for installation, where the probability of penetration of sunlight is minimal. Warming up with ultraviolet accelerates the process of decay of organics, but for compost it is not advisable.
According to sanitary standards, compost containers can not be installed near residential buildings. The distance should be at least 12 m. From the sources of drinking water, such a composter is installed at a distance of 8 m. Also, you should not place such a structure close to the fence or fence, the gap between them is at least 1 m.
Usually compost containers are placed in the most remote place of the site, protected from the wind, to prevent the spread of unpleasant odors throughout the territory. This should be a small hill to avoid washing the contents of the tank with melt water.
Varieties of compost containers and requirements for them
Containers for composting waste are very different. Composters differ in shape, size, material from which they are made. Most often they are made square with the walls of wooden boards or steel mesh. This structure is covered with plastic wrap or burlap to create an optimal rotting temperature inside the container. In addition, the film perfectly protects the contents of the container from precipitation.
On sale there are containers made of plastic with a square or round cross section. They have a lid to ventilate the compost. For convenient removal there is a door. The advantage of the plastic factory box in the long service life, it is not subject to decay and destruction.
The compost box must meet the following requirements:
- Such constructions are built without a bottom, so that worms and beneficial microorganisms can easily get inside.
- Holes of 2-3 cm wide are made in the side walls so that oxygen penetrates inside.
- A lid must be provided for the box so that sediments do not wash away the nutrients. Sometimes, tarpaulin, burlap or polyethylene are used as a shelter. But such a replacement is impractical and does not look attractive.
- A retractable bar is made below to provide access to the lower layer of compost. There it matures faster.
Materials for the manufacture
For the construction of compost tanks use any available materials.Most often use wood, metal, plastic. They are inexpensive and affordable.
It is convenient to make a box of wooden boards, old pallets, sheets of plywood or battens. Wooden materials to prevent decay must be coated with paint or other material. Otherwise, under the influence of constant humidity and wind, the structure will quickly become unusable.
You may be interested in:If the box is made of metal sheets, then a material with a corrosion-resistant coating is used. Galvanizing or aluminum sheets is best suited. The walls of such a box quickly gain temperature and give it to the compost mass. Slots are necessarily made in the metal walls to enrich the contents with oxygen and provide insulation to constantly maintain the required temperature.
Sometimes the walls of the box are made of polyethylene or plastic. Such material is strong enough, but it cannot be called environmentally friendly. At the slightest increase in temperature, it releases toxic substances. It resists corrosion well and does not deteriorate when exposed to moisture. If the walls of the compost tank are made of this material, ventilation holes must be provided.
Dimensions and materials calculations
Compost capacity should be medium in size. Too large a box is not needed, because excess heat will lead to the rapid burning of organic residues. A little one won't do either. In it, the plants will dry out.
It is very convenient to make a box with three compartments. In the first, plants can be planted on partially rotted organics. In the second, compost is made. The third is designed to store ready-made humus. The length and width of each compartment is from 1 to 1.5 m, and the height ranges from 0.5 to 0.7 m. Therefore, the total length will be from 3 to 4.5 m.
Drawer assembly
It is possible to build a compost box without drawings. The design is very simple, and the sizes can be chosen arbitrarily. First, 4 walls are assembled according to the size of the box from the transverse bars and suitable boards. For ventilation, spaces between them must be left at least 1 cm wide. On the same principle, 2 partitions are made, which will divide the box into compartments.
The lid is made gable so that it is more convenient to use the box. One of the ramps is mounted on a loop, and the second is mounted motionless. Then, when lifting the lid, it will rest on the fixed part and there will be no sagging.
Having done all the parts of the box, proceed to its assembly. First, the side and rear walls are attached to the side posts from the bar with screws. Then install partitions, attaching them to galvanized staples. The lower opening part of the front wall is hinged. After this, the fixed front wall is screwed onto the screws. The lid is mounted on furniture hinges and the hooks are screwed to close.
The bottom of the box is made of croakers or wire mesh so that rodents cannot penetrate the contents of the box. To improve ventilation, the structure is placed on wooden blocks, not on bare ground.
It is even easier to make a container from old pallets. To do this, they are simply fastened together in the right order and a lid is mounted on top.
You may be interested in:Conclusion
It’s not difficult to make a compost box with your own hands in the garden or at the summer cottage. Any inexpensive improvised materials are suitable for him. Such a device is indispensable for obtaining natural organic fertilizer.
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