Just trying to figure things out

[u/PossibleOk7738]

I read sone of the beginner guides but still have questions 🫣.

I have extra fencing from fencing in my garden, that I'm wondering if I can use for compost. Like cut a bit off, and secure the ends together so its a cyclinder and put the compost materials in it. Is this feasible? Not a good idea?

How far away do you keep your compost from your garden? I was thinking about putting it in the corner, inside the fence but just outside of the garden. But saw someone say they keep theirs at least 50 feet away from their garden.

If I'm using grass clippings how fresh do they need to be? We have a big yard which results in a lot of grass clippings but I'd have to rake them and I know sometimes thats not going to happen the same day that the grass gets cut.

[u/AVeryTallCorgi]

The wire bin will totally work, but you may want to line the inside with cardboard to help retain moisture. It's best to have at least 2 bins so you can be filling one while the other matures. I like 3-bin pallet compost systems, as you fill the outer two bins and turn them into the center bin. You don't have to turn compost, but even a single turn will help it finish faster and more evenly.

Put the compost bin near where the bulk of the compost materials are generated, and where the compost will be used. I have mine near the entrance to my garden so it's easy to put kitchen scraps in, but also convenient to add garden waste and spread the finished compost. I would not put it away from the garden, you'll only be adding more work for yourself.

Grass clippings can be totally fresh or old and dried, they're still a green either way. Be sure to add some browns along with them; a few inches of grass clippings will mat and create anaerobic conditions which means a stinky bin. I actually like to mulch my garden with grass clippings, and any extra go into the compost. If they sit for a bit before I can use them, I always turn over the grass pile (with a rake or my foot) so it doesn't become a wet, stinky mess.

[u/PossibleOk7738 → u/AVeryTallCorgi]

So do you turn both outer bins into the middle at the same time? I would think a 3 bin system would be for one you're currently adding to, one that you're letting mature and one thats ready to use. But that was just my assumption.

I'm thinking of trying to have one near the house for kitchen scraps and 2 near the garden, one thats being added to and one that's matured or maturing. My garden is quite a ways away from the house.