How to Build a Soil Sifter

Gardeners understand the need for a soil sifter. Whether it’s to get rid of the small rocks that constantly appear in a garden (even one that’s been in use for years) or to sift lumps out of compost, a soil sifter can make all of your gardening a more pleasant experience. You can buy soil sifters priced anywhere from $50 up to around $1,000--but for most home gardeners--making a simple soil sifter using primarily materials already in your home and some common hand tools--will work just as well. Here’s how you can build your own soil sifter.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 pieces of 2-by-4, 20 inches long
• 2 pieces of 2-by-4, 24 inches long
• 2 pieces of 1-by-6, 6 inches long
• Tape measure
• Screwdriver or power drill
• Hardware cloth (or window screen)
• Screws
• Jig saw
• Staple gun and staples
• Paint or polyurethane

1. Lay out your 24-inch pieces forming the sides and the 20-inch pieces forming the cross members, then glue and screw them together at the ends.

2. Cut a piece of hardware cloth 24 inches wide at least 28 inches long and place it over the 2-by-4 frame making sure the cloth overlaps evenly 2 inches on all sides.

3. Starting in the middle of one end staple the hardware cloth to the frame along that end, then move to the opposite end and pull the hardware cloth tight, and once again starting in the middle staple the cloth to the frame along that end.

4. Fasten the cloth to the sides in the same manner. Start on one side and fasten it to the frame, then move to the last side; pull the cloth tight and staple it to the frame as well.

5. Use your jig saw to cut hand holes (about 1 inch high and 4 ½ or 5 inches long) in the two pieces of 1-by-6 and glue and screw them into the middle of the 24-inch-long sides.

6. Add a coat of paint or polyurethane to the wooden frame to protect it from weathering, and your sifter is ready for use.

Tips & Warnings

• Hardware cloth is stronger than window screen and is available at most home and hardware stores. It usually comes in 24-inch-wide rolls.
• Different sized meshes in hardware cloth are available. If you use a really small mesh (like a window screen) you may find your soil sifter takes a lot of work to use. Larger, more open mesh won’t require as much effort and will still sift out most of the unwanted rocks and lumps.
• You can adjust the size of this soil sifter to match whatever leftover materials you may have around the house. Sizing it to fit directly onto your wheelbarrow could save you some work when sifting compost.
• Be careful you don’t put too much weight in your soil sifter when you’re using it--it can be awkward to pick up.

[classicfan]

on 7/21/2009 I've built my own Soil Sifter, partly based on your instructions. It's a simple, lightweight and relatively inexpensive device for turning rocky garden soil or raw compost into smooth topsoil for home gardens.

I built The Soil Sifter for my own use after being unable to find one for sale locally (in southeastern Michigan), or online, other than more expensive and complicated devices. I feel that many do-it-yourself gardeners would prefer to spend their time planting rather than planning and building something like this. I have used it myself and have been very successful in terms of improving the soil in my home's garden areas, but I spent a good deal of time planning, consulting with people at the lumber yard, driving back and forth from there to my house, then building the device and testing it until I got it right!

Please visit my site at http://www.thesoilsifter.com and l...