How to Build a Compost Bin on a Budget

Composting is a great way to help the environment and enrich the soil in your gardens. If buying an expensive compost bin at the store is not in the budget follow these simple instructions to make your own inexpensive compost bin for your yard.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Heavy Duty Wire Mesh or Chicken Wire 10 feet x 36 inch
• 4 Metal Poles for support
• Wire Ties or Plastic Cable Ties
• Concrete Cinder blocks or retaining wall blocks
• 4 Wooden Pallets
• 4 Angle Brackets
• 4 Hook and Eye Gate Latches

1. There are several ways to make a compost bin on a budget. This article will discuss three different bins that you can make inexpensively. The first is made out of wire, the second out of cinder blocks and the third out of wood pallets.

2. The first step is to identify a good area where your compost bin will be located. It is a good idea to soften the dirt under the bin if the bottom is going to be open so you can allow earthworms to move into your bin once you start composting.

3. Once you have identified where you are going to put the bin select the type of bin you want. Please see the following steps which will tell you how to construct each different type of bin.

4. For a wire compost bin you will need a heavy gauge wire mesh fencing (10 feet by 36 inches will make a 3 foot diameter bin), wire ties or plastic cable ties and some metal stakes. Make a circle out of the wire mesh in your selected area and use the ties to connect the two ends together. Place the metal rods on the inside of circle for support for your bin. The nice thing about this type of bin is that you can just lift the bin up when the compost is done and spread it in your gardens.

5. For a concrete block compost bin you will need concrete cinder blocks or retaining wall blocks and a flat surface to work on. You can make your compost bin any shape you desire but this article is for a cone shaped bin. The first layer of blocks should be laid out in a circle leaving two blocks out for the front of the bin. Then pile the next row on top starting it in about 1" from the edge. As each layer is added you go in a little more so in the end you have a cone shape with an opening in front to shovel out the compost and turn your pile. The smaller top helps to keep the heat in for faster composting. You may put in metal rods along the inside for added strength just use a hammer to pound them into the ground.

6. The final compost bin that is easy to make is a wooden pallet compost bin. You will need 4 wooden pallets for this bin, 4 angle brackets and 4 hook and eye gate latches for the front of the bin and some screws. To construct this bin set the pallets up on their sides forming a square. Screw the angle brackets in place along the back of the bin one on top and one near the bottom of the two back corners. Screw the hook and eye gate latches on the front pallet at the top and bottom of each pallet so you can remove it when you want to spread the compost.

7. Once you have selected and constructed your compost bin you can begin adding your yard waste and kitchen scraps to make your compost.

Tips & Warnings

• Turn your compost frequently to move the process along faster.
• Adding water to your bin will also speed the process as long as the pile never gets soggy.
• Make sure you add enough brown nitrogen rich items to your bin to get good compost. Dead leaves are great for this.

Resources

• Let it Rot!: The Gardener's Guide to Composting
• The Complete Compost Gardening Guide
• Norpro Ceramic Compost Keeper
• COMPOST BIOBAGS
• Envirocycle Compost Maker

[krm479]

on 8/20/2009 Would an open compost bin attract racoons, opposums and rats? We also keep our bin tighlty closed as I don't like the wildlife visiting unexpectedly.

[scottmitzi]

on 5/30/2009 Thanks for all the information. God Bless