Building a Unique Compost Bin

Wooden Compost Bin

You can always invest in a durable compost bin made from plastic, but these large, tub-like structures are usually an eyesore in your backyard or garden. They come in different colors such as green, black, white and brown, and can cost up to several hundreds of dollars.

The best thing to do is to build your own compost bin. You will need some rot-resistant cedar lumber. The lumber should be cut to 24 horizontal slats: 8 slats will become the lid, 8 for the legs and 8 strips used for battens. Each slat should be 1 by 4 feet. After laying two legs down, attach six slats across the two and screw them in. Leave about ¾ of an inch from the edges, as well as ¾ of an inch in gaps between each slat.

For slide-in paneling, secure three slats and space the battens to ¾ of an inch. This should apply for both upper and lower panels. Use glue and screws to hold the lumber together in place. Use two-inch screws and strong, weatherproof glue. Your bin should now start to take shape. The dimensions of your cedar compost bin should be 24 ½ inches in width, 26 inches in depth and 25 ½ inches in height.

Cedar lumber is naturally rot-resistant, and the bin itself is eco-friendly. Avoiding plastic is always a better choice if you want to be considerate of the environment. Treated lumber does last longer, but this is a less environment-friendly alternative to prolonging your compost bin’s durability.

Steel Barrel

Another compost bin idea is recycling a steel barrel to create a rotating bin. Rotating your bin will cause the compost to be turned and this will allow your organic materials to decompose in a more even manner.

You can mount your barrel on a pair of sturdy steel legs and attach a rotating handle that will allow you to turn your bin. Be sure to cut out a lid that can be opened and closed. Once you fill your barrel compost bin, let your compost sit from anywhere between 6 months to 2 years.

Wire Mesh Compost Bin

A compost holding unit made of wire mesh is common. You can build one easily out of chicken wire. Be sure to wear work gloves when you build this to protect your hands from injury. Take 10 feet of chicken wire. Fold about 4 inches at the end of each side to prevent poking or snagging from wire edges. Raise the wire up and shape it into a circle so that it stands in place. Placing wood or metal posts around the inside of the wire-mesh will hold the unit steady.

Snow Fence Compost Bin

A snow fence compost-holding unit is very easy to build. It requires four posts made from wood or metal that is about 4 to 5 feet long, and 13 feet of snow fencing in length that is at least 3 feet tall. You will also need metal wiring.

Hammer the posts into the ground at 3 feet apart for each corner of the square. Find a plot of land and choose an area that is 3 feet by 3. Connect the snow fences with your metal wire. Prop up the connected fencing and create a 3-foot-square enclosure in the plot of land you chose for your compost bin.

Hastening the Compost in Your Bin

Once you have your bin ready, it is time to toss in your compost. If your fruit and vegetable peels don’t decompose fast enough, here are some ways to hasten the process: adding worms to your bin may be an effective way to decompose your organic materials. Red worms are particularly favored. Add them to your compost mix along with some shredded newspaper, moistened cardboard, or peat moss. Keep the temperature at a range of 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Adding in soil to your compost will also quicken the decomposing pace.