How to Build a Wooden Compost Bin

It's fairly simple to build your own wooden compost bin.

You can do your part to reduce waste and help reduce landfill overfill by composting. Building an outdoor wooden compost bin is an inexpensive and simple project, and for years you will be able to reap the benefits of the resulting nutrient rich organic matter. With a few basic tools and materials, this 3-foot square compost bin can easily be constructed on your own.

Things You'll Need

• Non-toxic wood preservative
• Paintbrush
• 12 untreated 2-by-6 boards, each 3 feet long
• 6 untreated corner posts, each 4 feet long, 2-3/4-inch square
• Post hole digger
• Wood screws or nails
• Drill or hammer
• 2 bolt latches

Instructions

1. Paint non-toxic wood preservative onto all of the lumber to protect it from moisture and rot.

2. Insert four 4-foot corner posts 1 foot deep into the ground. Space the posts 3 feet apart from one another. For enhanced sturdiness, these posts can be inserted into ground-level, bucket-shaped concrete forms (like a fence post), but this is not necessary.

3. Line three sides with three evenly spaced, horizontal 2-by-6 boards. The space left between the boards will allow for adequate ventilation. Leave the fourth side open for later creating a removable door. Attach the boards to the posts with wood screws or nails.

4. Add a removable door that can be pulled away from the bin. Insert two additional corner posts in the ground directly in front of the posts at the bin's opening. If you used concrete forms, cut these posts level with the surface of the ground (remove 1 foot of material) so the bottoms rest on the surface of the neighboring concrete forms. Line the door posts with three evenly spaced, horizontal 2-by-6 boards (the same as the sides of the bin).

5. Install screw-on bolt latches to the corner posts that support the door to keep it in place. Install them near the top of the door. Use an additional two bolts near the bottom of the door if you used concrete forms and the lower part of the door posts are resting on the concrete.

Tips & Warnings

• During long periods of rain, cover your compost pile with a tarp or a piece of wood to prevent over-saturation.

References

• eartheasy.com: How to build a Compost Bin

Resources

• Information about composting, from HowtoCompost.org