Compost Bin Pan: Why You Need One

A pan, or tray, under your compost bin is important for a few reasons. Firstly, it helps to catch any excess liquid that may be produced during the composting process. This liquid is known as leachate and can cause a mess or attract unwanted pests if not contained. Secondly, a compost bin placed on a hard surface is not ideal as it prevents proper drainage. A compost bin with a solid bottom and drainage holes is recommended if your bin needs to be placed on a hard surface. However, it is generally better to place the bin directly on the soil so that any moisture can drain away naturally. This also allows microorganisms, worms, and insects to move freely between the soil and compost, facilitating the composting process.

To prevent critters from burrowing into the compost pile

A compost pile is a great way to recycle food scraps and yard trimmings, but it can also attract unwanted critters. Here are some tips to prevent them from burrowing into your compost pile:

• Choose the right location: Avoid placing your compost bin under a tree or big shrub. The roots will grow into the base of your compost heap. Also, keep the bin at least 10 feet away from your house to prevent unwanted visitors.
• Use a closed compost bin system: A closed bin with a solid bottom, a securely latched lid, and aeration holes covered with wire mesh can help keep critters out. The enclosed space keeps the smell down and is too much work for many animals to access.
• Line your compost bin with wire mesh: This may deter critters from burrowing into your compost pile.
• Maintain a good brown-to-green ratio: Turning your compost frequently and maintaining a proper ratio of browns (carbon-rich material) to greens (nitrogen-rich material) will make your compost less attractive to critters.
• Avoid certain food scraps: Meat, fish, bones, dairy products, fats, oils, and seasoned foods will attract critters to your compost pile.
• Cover kitchen scraps: Burying and covering food scraps with an 8-inch layer of leaves, straw, or brown matter will make it less appealing to critters.
• Keep the bin away from natural food sources: Avoid placing the bin near bird feeders, pet food bowls, or trees with berries, as these may attract unwanted visitors.
• Reinforce the bin: If using a compost bin, ensure it has a lid and a floor, with no holes or gaps larger than 1/4 inch.

To allow for drainage of excess moisture

To maintain a healthy compost pile, it is important to ensure that it has the right balance of moisture. A compost bin with proper drainage will help maintain this balance.

A compost pile needs to be moist, but not too wet. If the compost sits in stagnant water for too long, it will start to smell. This is because when there is not enough oxygen, the decomposition process becomes anaerobic, leading to the release of nitrogen and sulfur compounds, which have an unpleasant odour.

To prevent this, it is important to allow excess water to drain away. This is why some compost bins have holes in the bottom, allowing the liquid produced during the composting process, known as "leachate", to drain out.

If your compost bin does not have holes, you can try sitting it directly on the soil so that any excess moisture can drain away. Alternatively, you can drill or cut some holes in the bottom of your bin.

In addition to proper drainage, you can maintain the right moisture level in your compost by ensuring that you have the correct balance of "browns" and "greens". Browns, or carbon-rich materials, include dry leaves, twigs, untreated wood chips, and shredded paper. Greens, or nitrogen-rich materials, include fruit and vegetable scraps, plant stalks, coffee grounds, and grass clippings. A good rule of thumb is to add at least two to three times the volume of browns to the volume of greens. This will help absorb excess liquids and provide the right amount of moisture for the microorganisms in the compost to break down the materials effectively.

To avoid a smelly compost pile

• Too much green material: If your compost smells like ammonia, you have too many greens (nitrogen-rich materials). To fix this, add more brown materials (carbon-rich materials) like leaves, newspaper, or straw to balance it out. A good ratio to maintain is 3 parts green material to 1 part brown material.
• Not enough oxygen: Anaerobic decomposition will occur if your compost pile is not getting enough oxygen, leading to a rotten egg smell. To fix this, regularly turn or mix your compost to introduce more air. Avoid compacting your compost pile, and instead, gently layer green and brown matter.
• Incorrect layering: If the green and brown materials in your compost are not mixed and layered correctly, it can lead to improper decomposition and a bad smell. Make sure to add a thin layer of brown matter over your thicker layer of green matter to prevent this.
• Oil, fat, meat, or dairy: Adding oil, fat, meat, or dairy to your compost pile can make it smell bad as these items decompose. To avoid this, keep these items out of your compost bin.
• Too much moisture: If your compost pile is too wet, it will not have enough aeration, leading to a putrid smell similar to rotting eggs. To fix this, turn the compost and add dry brown materials to absorb the excess moisture.
• Improper location: Placing your compost bin in a location with too much rain runoff can make it smell bad. Choose a spot that gets plenty of sunshine and no extra rain.

To prevent root systems from growing into the compost

One of the most important things to consider when setting up a compost bin is its location. A well-chosen site can make all the difference in the efficiency of your compost bin. One thing to keep in mind is to avoid placing your compost bin under a tree. Trees have hungry root systems that are always seeking out nutrients and water. If you put your compost bin too close to a tree or big shrub, the roots will grow into the base of your compost heap, which can be a mess to deal with. However, very big trees with deeper roots are not as much of a problem.

When choosing the location for your compost bin, look for any signs of puddles after a rainstorm. Any sites that have sitting water for too long should be avoided. You obviously need a reasonably level surface to site your bin, but the ground surface should also be well-drained, especially if you’re using an open-bottomed bin. Even though you want your compost to stay moist, too much water is equally bad. If the compost sits too long in stagnant water, you’ll end up with a smelly mess.

To prevent root systems from growing into your compost, it is recommended to place your compost bin on high ground. Mature compost weighs heavier than the light raw materials you put on the pile, so placing it on higher ground makes it easier to cart away barrowfuls of the finished product. Additionally, ensure that your compost bin is easily accessible, but not in a place where occasional smells or leaching liquids will cause a nuisance.

To catch compost drainage

If you are building your compost bin from scratch, you may not need to add a bottom to it. Not having a solid base allows for drainage and enables microorganisms, worms, and insects to move from the soil into the compost. To elevate the pile and facilitate airflow, you can start with a layer of branches and sticks a few inches high. Alternatively, you can build a raised bed to place the bin on, ensuring you have a way to catch any drainage.

To prevent animals from burrowing into a bottomless compost bin, you can line the base with hardware cloth or chicken wire. This will help keep out critters like mice, voles, and shrews, which may dig into the compost to feed on kitchen scraps or plant matter.

Frequently asked questions