How to Build a Composter at Home
In order to build a composter at home, it is useful to have some background information. Before we begin, it should be noted that compost is basically just the decomposition of organic matter back into nutrient-rich soil. It is the natural process by which nature breaks down plant and animal matter so that it can be re-used. It is a naturally occurring cycle that you can take advantage of, whether you are a gardener, or whether you simply want to reduce waste and send less garbage to the landfill. It's also worth noting that since this is a natural process, there is really no "right" way to make a compost bin, and there are any number of things you could build or ways you could compost that would work totally fine. This is just one possible design. So once you understand the basics, if you want to customize your own version, by all means, you should. It is not complicated to make a simple compost bin for use in your backyard out of some 2' x 4's and wire mesh fencing material.
Tools and Supplies
- 2' x 4's
- Wire mesh
- Hinges
- Hammer and nails
- Staples of U-shaped nails
Instructions
To begin, you want to pick a place for your compost bin that is out of the way. An ideal spot would be somewhere kids won't be playing and where you won't have to watch (or smell) the decomposition process. Make sure it is somewhere that will get a good amount of sunlight. Now, you want to build a 4 foot cube out of your 2' x 4's. Once you have your cube, attach 4-foot lengths of 2' x 4's around the entire outside of the cube, leaving about a 1/2 inch gap between each 2' x 4' to allow for air circulation. Next, make a lid for the top. The wire mesh should be attached along the outside of the cube and the lid frame with the U-shaped nails or staples. Use the hinges to attach the lid to the cube so that it will be easy to open without getting in the way. That's it! You're done. Now place your composter directly on the ground. There should be nothing between the bin and the ground. This way, the worms will have access to your compost and will assist in the composting process.
Composting Tips
Kitchen scraps like vegetable matter, coffee grounds, fruit peels, apple cores, and egg shells can all go into your compost pile along with grass clippings and waste from your garden.
Never put meat or dairy products into your compost heap, as they will begin to rot and smell bad, and can also attract unwanted animal presence in your yard.
Try to make sure that you compost pile does not consist only of grass clippings. Ideally, there will be a balance between nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus to make the proper, nutrient rich soil. Also, grass clippings can be too moist, so drier products (even shredded newspaper) should be mixed in.
The smaller the materials in your heap, the easier they are to break down.
Make sure to turn your compost heap every week or more often with a garden fork or shovel.
Within 4-6 weeks you should start to see results. Happy composting!
