Homemade Compost Sifter
Composting is an environmentally sound and effective way to make your garden grow fast and lush. It makes dense clay soils looser and tightens up loose, sandy soils. Compost provides food for healthy microorganisms, which in turn produce plant-nourishing phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. A compost heap or bin also is an effective way to use your leftover kitchen scraps, garden clippings, and other organic waste. A compost sifter is a good way to separate out larger chunks of material that may need more time in the bin to break down to maximum effectiveness. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Board or boards, 2 inches by 6 inches
- Table saw (optional)
- 20 to 28 1 1/2-inch nails
- Hammer
- 1/2-inch mesh
- Wire cutters
- Heavy-duty stapler
- 1/2-inch staples
- Tape, clamps or glue (optional)
Instructions
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Cut your 2-inch-by-6-inch boards into four equal pieces, or two sets of two equal pieces. Alternately, have the lumber store do it for you. The length of your boards will depend on how large you want your sifter to be. A good way to determine this is to measure the receptacle you plan to sift the compost into and figure out how large a square you will need to sit on top of it without assistance. Buy a 2x6 (or multiple 2x6s) that can accommodate all four sides.
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Cut each piece lengthwise into one piece measuring 1/2 inch in width and one measuring 1 1/2 inches in width, or have it done at the lumber store.
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Nail the four wider pieces together into a rectangle.
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Cut the mesh to fit evenly over the box you've just made. Staple it in place.
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Lay the 1/2-inch pieces of wood evenly over the mesh and the wooden square. Optionally, tape, clamp or glue them in place. Nail them down over the mesh.
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Place the sifter short-side down over a bin or tub to use. Scoop the compost into the sifter and shake to let through fine compost.
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References
- Photo Credit Erdbeerpflanze image by lamaka from Fotolia.com
