Where To Put A Compost Pile? (4 Bad Locations To Avoid)

It’s magic.

Maybe better that that. A compost pile provides black gold for your plants.

But where should you place this pile?

You can put the compost pile a short walk from the house and keep sufficient space so you can turn it well. Keep it in a shaded area away from intense sunlight. Don’t put it on pavement or concrete and protect it from windy or wet conditions.

In this post, I’ll help you understand where you should and shouldn’t put the compost pile. I’ll give you tips on how far to keep the pile and what to do if neighbors complain. You’ll also find information about where to keep a compost bin, whether indoor or outdoor.

Let’s take a look.

How far away from the house should compost pile be?

You can keep the compost pile near to the house so it does not become a slog to reach it. You would end up ignoring the pile and won’t maintain it. But you should keep it away from the house so that pests and bugs don’t come close to the house. You also want to avoid any odor that the pile may create.

Try to find some middle ground. It should be far enough to keep smells out of the house, but close enough for you to walk to if needed. 

Should compost pile be in sun or shade?

The compost pile should be in shade because the cool temperature will allow the beneficial organisms to thrive in the organic material. They will break down the material that you add to the compost.

The cool conditions will keep the compost pile moist for a longer time, encouraging the organisms to decompose the material. Shady areas will also have a little extra protection against the wind and rain.

Can I place my compost pile on a paved surface?

You should not place a compost pile on a paved surface because the ground may get stained. The pavement will also make it harder for the organisms to burrow through the soil and reach the compost.

If you have a worm bin, you can store it on concrete or pavement. However, if you have a pile, things will get more complex. Here are some things you need to consider:

• If you leave the pile on the concrete for an extended period, the ground will get stained.
• Protection against predators. Often, the scent of the compost can be very attractive to animals. You don’t need to have concrete under the pile to protect it though. You can just lay down some chicken wire.
• Access for worms. The pavement will make it harder for worms to burrow through the soil and get into your compost pile.

How much space to put around the compost heap?

The compost pile doesn’t need to have a lot of space around it. You just need to be conscious of leaving enough space to work it properly. This means allowing enough to drive a wheelbarrow around the pile. You’ll also need to be able to turn it comfortably. 

Where Should You Not Put a Compost Pile?

There are some basic mistakes that you should try to avoid when deciding where you are going to place your compost pile. Some of the most common errors include:

1. Putting it in a windy location. The last thing you want is for your compost to be blowing over your garden. Not only will it make it harder for the worms to do their job, but it will also be a nightmare to clean up all the kitchen scraps. Even worse, it will dry out the pile faster.

2. Wet areas. It’s important to keep the compost pile moist. This ensures that the worms will be comfortable. However, if it gets too wet, the dirt will get denser. It will also make it harder for you to turn the soil and the rain will cause the nutrients to leech away.

3. Cold areas. The colder the pile becomes, the slower the composting process will become. It’s often best to find an area that will get partial sunlight.

4. Under a tree. Here, there is a risk that the roots from the tree will penetrate the nutrient-rich compost and leach on the resources. It will also make it difficult to turn the compost pile.

Can neighbors complain about a compost pile?

Neighbors can complain about a compost pile if it gets too close to their house. The compost pile can attract pests and insects to their house. It may also develop an odor that your neighbors won’t find appealing. Your neighbors may find the compost pile unattractive to their property.

As a result, you want to make sure that the pile isn’t too close to their house. Leave a little space between the pile and the fence. In most cases, though, while a neighbor might be unhappy about the pile, there will be little they can do about it.

In most states, the only issues will emerge when multiple neighbors lodge complaints. Often, this will be about the smell. The good news is that a properly maintained compost pile is unlikely to upset anyone.

Keep it far away from your neighbors’ property and you should be fine. If you are creating small batches of compost, you can consider using a compost bin that will hide the organic material from view. And keep pests and insects away from it.

Should the compost bin be next to the vegetable garden?

You should place the compost bin next to the vegetable garden because it is convenient. You can use the compost for the vegetable plants as soon as it’s ready. You won’t need to use a wheelbarrow to transport the heavy compost over a long distance to reach the plants.

 Where to store compost bin in the kitchen?

The best place to store compost pin in the kitchen is below the sink. This makes it convenient to put in kitchen waste such as vegetable peels, fruit peels, eggshells, and leftover salad into the compost bin.

Here, choosing the right type of container is more important than how it is being stored. It’s important to get something that has a charcoal filter.

Recycles Kitchen and Yard Waste Composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from the garbage can. (learn.eartheasy.com)

This will stop any odors from escaping the container. You’ll also need to consider how large you want it to be.

Choose a compost bin that is lightweight and comes with a handle. This will make it easy for you to carry to the bigger compost bin outside.