But the truth is I don’t see this happen that often. It takes just a few minutes and I can bury an entire week’s worth of scraps that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill somewhere. Then, I can simply lay it back over the organic material (I add a few inches of soil between the scraps and the sod) and it is hardly noticeable when I’m done. Above all else, just remember that while there is some science involved in composting, you don’t have to be a scientist to be successful at it. If the mixture of materials within your pile is too compact, holes in the bin will not be sufficient enough to facilitate proper air flow to the center of the pile where it is needed most. In-ground composting, on the other hand, can be done at any time with any quantity of material. If there is one area where in-ground cold composting really shines it is in the encouragement of worm populations in your soil. Drill holes into PVC pipe every 6 inches (15 centimeters) or so along the length of the pipe. ... You'll need a big plastic tub 30 gallons or larger, a drill for holes, … Common “best-practice” composting rules don’t matter as much when you are burying scraps. (The microbes that work to break down your compost materials need air to survive, and without air holes in the bin, they won’t receive it. Here's how to get started composting without worms. Active composting offers many advantages when it comes to quickly converting organic material into usable soil. I do occasionally notice ant mounds in areas where I’ve buried kitchen scraps and yard debris. If you are needing compost quickly for a garden, flower bed, or lawn top dressing, then this is the way to go. Position the Bin . These cookies do not store any personal information. Turn it with a compost pitchfork about once a week so that everything "cooks" consistently. Complete Fall Gardening Checklist (Free Printable). I’m lucky enough to have a screened patio where the vermin and other critters can’t access it, but, if yours is an open space, another good solution is a compost … Using a special large drill bit designed especially for soil, you can drill deep into the ground and fill the hole with organic material with minimal impact to the aesthetics of your yard. Having lots of holes in your compost bin can also allow air to escape the container, as well as releasing valuable moisture. On the other hand, if you are simply looking for a quick and easy way to put kitchen scraps to good use, gradually improve your soil in the process, and lower the amount of biodegradable material that you send to landfills, these in-ground composting techniques are excellent options. Trench composting is commonly used in the space between rows of garden plants (source). Cathy Cromell is a Regional Reporter for the National Gardening Association. Temperatures are dropping; plants are taking notice. Amazon has put together some great Home Holiday Guide Deals - save money and get your holiday shopping done! Can I put old potting soil in my compost? That’s not true. Composting without the confines of a container takes place in two basic ways: aboveground in a freestanding pile or below ground in a hole. There are countless ways to do this but the three primary methods for in-ground composting are dig and drop compost holes, trench composting, and my favorite method for truly deep soil integration, drilling holes. I routinely incorporate organic material into the soil outside of the root line. You can begin at one end, adding organic material and burying that section then moving down the trench as more material becomes available. Unlike active composting which requires turning and active involvement, in-ground cold composting is something that can be completed in a few minutes and ignored. Choosing the right pot for your plant can make or break a plant. Avoid anything big or woody because it won't decompose quickly. When your heap is about 3 feet tall, cover it with 2 inches of aged manure, which is available online and at garden centers. Mix in Brown and Green Compost Ingredients, Benefits of Adding Compost to Your Garden, By Cathy Cromell, The National Gardening Association. They recommend a pile no smaller than 3 feet wide, deep, and high (source). As those worms feast they will move out into the surrounding soil and deposit nutrient-dense castings, furthering the soil’s improvement. ANSWER: Your compost container at least needs to have air holes in its bottom surface, so if there are none, you’ll need to drill plenty of holes in the base so that excess moisture can drain out, unpleasant smells have an escape route, and oxygen can circulate.