How to Make a Home Compost Bin

How I made my compost bin/box. It is relatively easy if you have a basic knowledge of hand tools.

Things You'll Need

• Old pallets or old wood Screws Drill Miter saw

Instructions

1. 

   First, find a convenient spot, situated close to the garden for easy access. This will be helpful in disposing of compostable materials and also retrieve your compost once it's finished.

   I used old decking, old deck 4x4's and wood pressed pallets. I would suggest using scrap or free lumber, whatever is handy. I made my compost bin into 3 sections. One section I use to store wood cuttings for my fire pit.

   The other 2 sections are for yard waste and kitchen scraps. This can be grass clippings, leaves, weeds, vegetable trimmings from dinner, egg shells, tea bags, banana peels etc.

2. 

   Compost bins/boxes do not have to be pretty. The old deck boards I had justified the length of my bin. The pallets I had justified the width/depth of the bin. Build your compost bin on site. It will be heavy.

   I created a long, rectangular box for the frame, attaching the 4x4's to each corner with screws. Then I built the back of the bin by attaching more deck boards cut to size with a miter saw.

   You will want to leave space between the boards for air circulation. I used a few sticks I found in the yard.

   Attach the precut side pieces in the same fashion. After that, I attached the pallets, to the 4x4 posts, in-between the frame to create 3 distinct sections.

3. 

   Then, just start filling it up. My compost bin was built Spring 2008. I have not gotten compost from it yet. I keep adding yard waste to it and I'm sure I have good compost on the bottom.

   Also, I don't turn mine. To speed the decomposition of the organic waste, it should be turned with a pitchfork. If you choose not to turn your compost, it will just take longer. Personally, I'm not in any big hurry. (And I'm a lazy composter!)

Tips & Warnings

• Add anything green and growing.

• Use compost in your gardens.

• Do not put any type of meat product in your compost bin.

• do not put lawn clipping that have been treated with pesticides or herbicides.