Of course, there are several criteria for selecting the "ideal" site for a compost pile. We will list them below but the reality is that most of us will have a limited set of options. If you live in an urban or suburban site and do not have acreage, you will just have to try to make it fit as many of the criteria as possible in your limited space.

  • Sun - This is a case of too little or too much. If the pile is in full sunlight, it will warm up quicker but it will also dry out faster. In heavy shade, the pile will stay cool and moist but the organisms will not work very hard. So, the ideal site might be one that is under deciduous trees with a high canopy of shade. This will allow the pile to heat up and will not lose moisture too fast. In the winter when the leaves are off the trees, the sun can warm the pile a bit even on cold days.
     

  • Drainage - The site needs to be well drained and should not be in a low lying part of the landscape where water accumulates after rain storms. The ground beneath the pile should be as level as possible to avoid excess water from running down hill toward neighbor's yards.
     

  • Space - There needs to be enough room for at least the minimum size container which is 3 feet wide by 3 feet high by 3 feet deep. Also, remember that you have to be able to turn the pile, bring plant material to the pile and take compost away.
     

  • Water Supply - To maintain the proper water balance, you will need easy access to a water supply. Of course, this may be at the end of a hose but you will need some easy way to add water periodically as needed.
     

  • Camouflage - Generally, you and your neighbors will not relish the idea of having to look at your compost area. Actually, you might not mind, so you need to find a way to screen the area from view. This can be done with fencing or shrubs or a hedge or a structure or something to keep it out of sight.

Choosing a Composting Bin or Container
 

Note: We have provided some general information and observations on this topic aimed at the home gardener. Before you take any serious action in your landscape, check with your state's land grant university's Cooperative Extension Service for the most current, appropriate, localized recommendations.

 
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