How to Build a Simple Wire Composter

Compost is a valuable addition to any gardening project. One of the easiest ways to make compost is with a simple wire composter. It does not take up much room, and the components are inexpensive. Even the novice gardener can build it in a short afternoon. Grab your wire cutters and get ready to follow these steps to build a simple wire composter. You'll be making rich, nutritious compost in no time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chicken wire or hardware cloth wire
• Measuring tape
• Heavy duty wire cutter
• Work gloves
• Pliers
• Florist wire

Build a Simple Wire Composter

1. Measure a 5-foot length from a roll of 3-foot chicken wire or woven hardware wire. Snip the wires in a straight line to make a 5-by-3 foot rectangle of wire. Wear thick work gloves when working with the wire.

2. Bend back the raw cut edges of wire toward the center of the rectangle using pliers. Squeeze the bent wire edges tightly so that they don't catch and scratch.

3. Snip eight 6-inch lengths of florist wire with the wire cutter. Set aside.

4. Hold the 3-foot edges of the wire rectangle together, overlapping about 1 inch. Tie the overlapped wire together at one end with a length of florist wire. Thread the florist wire through both layers of the overlapped wire mesh, twist together, wrap through the overlapped wire again and twist again.

5. Tie the other end of the overlapped wire together with florist wire, twisting and wrapping several times. Complete binding the overlapped edges with the remaining florist wire, wrapping and twisting it at evenly spaced intervals.

6. Set the cylinder of wire upright in its permanent location. Fill with raw organic material, dried leaves and lawn clippings. When the materials are well composted, simply snip the florist wire to open up the wire composter

Resources

• University of Missouri Extension---Compost Bins
• NRCS---USDA: Backyard Conservation Tip Sheet---Composting
• OregonMetro.gov---Guide to Effective Composting