How to Build a Bin

Need a bin for this compost.

Bins come in handy for making compost for your garden. Building your own bin is a project that do-it-yourself homeowners can tackle with confidence. Most bins of this nature require posts concreted in the ground so the sidewalls are solid enough to withstand the elements. Since the purpose of the bin subjects the building material to moisture creating mold, buy treated lumber and plywood. Solid sides to the bin create a barrier holding nocturnal critters at bay.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Hammer
• Wooden stakes
• String
• Post hole diggers
• 4 treated posts, 4-by-4-by-60 inches
• Carpenter's level
• 4 bags of concrete mix
• Steel rod or tamper
• 2 pieces of 39-by-39-by-¾-inch treated plywood
• Battery powered drill
• Philips head screw tip
• 2-inch deck screws
• 2 pieces of 48-by-39-by-3/4-inch treated plywood
• 60-by-60-inch black plastic
• Staple gun
• 1/4-inch staples

Instructions

1. Mark off the area for the bin. Drive a wooden stake in the ground representing the front left side of the bin and tie a string around it. Measure 36 inches from the stake towards the back left corner and drive a stake there.

2. Tie the string to the back left corner stake. Measure 48 inches of the string, pull it across the proposed back of the bin and lay it on the ground.

3. Hang the end of the measuring tape on the front left stake and pull it across diagonally to the back right corner. Pull the 48-inch string tight and make the two meet at the 60-inch mark on the tape. Drive a stake in the ground. This makes the left wall and back wall of the bin square.

4. Tie a string around the stake and pull 36 inches of it to the front right side of the bin and lay it on the ground. Hang the tape on the back left corner stake and pull it diagonally across the bin to the front right. Make the 36-inch string meet the 60-inch mark on the tape and drive a stake in the ground at that location.

5. Remove the stakes one at a time as you dig holes 18 inches deep with a post hole digger. Keep the diameter of the hole to around 12 inches.

6. Stand the 4-by-4-inch posts in the holes and pour dry concrete mix around them. Put the carpenter’s level vertically on the post to plumb it while you pack the concrete mix with a steel rod or tamper. Be certain each post is solid. This is called dry packing and is used on small projects and chainlink fences.

   Moisture from the ground will eventually mix with the concrete to make it solid. Or you can add some water to the hole.

7. Secure the two pieces of 39-by-39-by-3/4-inch treated plywood to the posts on the inside of the bin with 2-inch deck screws. Make them even with the back of the back posts.

8. Set the piece of 48-by-39-by-3/4-inch treated plywood on the outside of the back posts. Secure it to the posts with 2-inch deck screws. Lay black plastic on the floor of the bin and staple it to the sides and back of the bin with a staple gun and 1/4-inch staples.

9. Put the remaining 48-by-39-by-3/4-inch treated plywood on the front of the bin and secure it with 2-inch deck screws. Leave these screws close to the surface of the wood so they remove easily to gain access to the bin.

Tips & Warnings

• Raise the sides and back of the bin off the ground to slow rotting of the bottom edges of the plywood.

• Place a tarp over the top of the bin to keep birds away.

• Always wear gloves when working with treated lumber.

References

• Blue Planet Green Living.com: How to Build a Compost Bin in your own Backyard

Resources

• Tip Nut.com: How to Build a $15 Compost Bin
• Gardener’s World.com: How to Make Compost