How to Build a Barrel Composter

A homemade barrel composter will provide the rich soil your plants need to grow strong. Instead of unsightly compost heaps that require mixing and create unpleasant smells, make a barrel composter and reduce your garden work time and effort.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic barrel Drill and drill bits Electric saw or hacksaw Hinges and hardware Hasp and hardware

1. Wash the plastic barrel you choose for your barrel composter thoroughly inside and out. The barrel you choose should be classified as food-grade or be unused. Any barrel that contained chemicals of any sort should not be used as a yard and kitchen waste composter. Let the barrel dry completely before continuing.

2. Drill holes up to 1/2 inch in diameter around the plastic barrel on several levels. For a large-size barrel, the holes should be approximately six inches away from each other. These holes will allow air and water to move both in and out of the barrel garden compost container. The air and water will help the yard waste and kitchen scraps to deteriorate more quickly and efficiently without any dangerous build up of heat.

3. Remove the plugs or lids from one end of the barrel. Use an electric jig or reciprocating saw or a hand saw to cut out a rectangular piece from the barrel top. Make this opening large enough to get a standard size shovel or spade through. This will make it easier to put in and remove compost from the barrel when in use.

4. Screw two hinges to one longer edge of the plastic rectangle cut from the barrel top. If necessary, drill small guide holes with your electric drill for the nuts and bolts or screw hardware. On the opposite side of the plastic lid piece, attach the hasp hardware in the same fashion.

5. Place the plastic lid back in the hole it came out of and mark the location of the hinge and hasp screws or bolts on the barrel itself. Drill small holes and then attach the hinges and the other half of the hasp to the barrel itself. Be sure the lid is lined up precisely with the opening in the barrel composter so that the lid closes tightly.

6. Position the barrel composter in a sunny, out of the way location in your yard or garden. If desired, spraypaint the outside of the barrel in a dark green, brown, or black. This will help soak in the sunlight's heat and assist in quick break down of the compost inside. Put in yard waste, vegetable kitchen scraps and water regularly. To mix the compost within, simply tilt the barrel composter on its side and roll it several times.

Tips & Warnings

• Turn the barrel composter frequently to prevent overheating. Never put meat or animal products in the compost.