A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a DIY Compost Bin

Introduction

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic waste like kitchen scraps, yard trimmings, and cardboard into a rich soil amendment called compost. Home composting has many benefits:

• It reduces the amount of trash sent to landfills
• It provides free, nutritious fertilizer for gardens and houseplants
• It improves soil health and structure
• It conserves water in the garden by helping soil retain moisture
• It prevents organic waste from producing methane if sent to landfills

The basic materials needed to build a compost bin are:

• Wooden pallets or boards for the structure
• Wire or hardware cloth to contain the compost pile
• A shovel and/or pitchfork for turning the compost
• A water source nearby to moisten the compost as needed

This guide will walk through the steps of constructing a simple compost bin at home using common materials. With a little effort, you can start recycling your organic waste on-site and enjoy the rewarding benefits of composting.

Choosing a Compost Bin Design

There are several common types of DIY compost bin designs to choose from. The main options include:

Tumbler Bin

Tumbler compost bins are enclosed drums that sit on a stand and rotate for mixing.

Pros:

• Fast composting time due to aeration from turning
• Animal and pest resistant
• Small footprint

Cons:

• Can be expensive compared to homemade designs
• Limited capacity

Wood Pallet Bin

Pallet bins are made by stacking wooden pallets together into three sides of a box shape.

Pros:

• Inexpensive to make from recycled pallets
• Easy to disassemble and expand over time
• Good airflow from openings

Cons:

• Less secure, open to pests
• Can deteriorate over time if not sturdy pallets

Wire Mesh Bin

Wire mesh bins are three-sided cages made from fencing wire or hardware cloth.

Pros:

• Allows good airflow for faster composting
• Low cost to build
• Mesh keeps pests out while allowing air circulation

Cons:

• Less aesthetically pleasing
• Provides no insulation for maintaining heat

When choosing a compost bin design, consider your budget, yard space, and how much compost you need to produce. The best option depends on your specific goals and situation. Build a bin that will fit your needs and last over time.

Selecting a Location

When choosing where to place your DIY compost bin, there are a few key factors to consider:

• Sunlight - Compost needs sun to heat up and decompose properly.Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is ideal. Avoid too much shade.
• Drainage - Good drainage is crucial so compost doesn't get waterlogged. Choose a level spot in your yard that won't collect standing water after rains. Adding a layer of twigs or branches under the bin can improve drainage.
• Accessibility - Pick a spot that's easy for you to access when adding materials and turning the pile. Having a pathway or clear access route makes maintenance easier.
• Limited space - Even small yards can compost. You can use a smaller bin or tumbling composter. Elevated or vertical compost bins are great options for small patios or balconies.
• Pests - Avoid placing the bin right against your house or fence. Keep it at least 1 foot away. This prevents rodents from gaining access.
• Convenience - Composting will be easier if your bin is close to the kitchen for food waste collection. But don't put it too close to patios or play areas due to smells.

With a little planning, you can find the ideal composting location even in a small yard. Proper sunlight, drainage and accessibility will ensure your compost thrives.

Gathering Materials

When building a DIY compost bin, you'll need the following materials:

• Wooden pallets or boards - The structure of the compost bin is typically made from 4-6 wooden pallets or rough-cut boards approximately 4 feet long. You can often find free pallets behind grocery stores, home improvement stores, or on Craigslist.
• Landscape timbers - Use 4-6 6-foot untreated landscape timbers to frame the base of the compost bin and hold in place the wooden walls. Check for used landscape timbers at thrift stores or on Facebook Marketplace to save money.
• Nails or screws - Use 3-4" exterior-rated screws or nails to secure the pallets together at the corners. Make sure they are long enough to go through the pallets and into the landscape timbers below.
• Drill - A cordless drill with driver bits makes assembling the pallets quick and easy. Ask around, as you may be able to borrow a drill from friends or family.
• Tarps or scrap fabric (optional) - Old tarps, burlap sacks, or scrap fabrics can help cover and protect the compost from excess rain. Look for inexpensive or free options at thrift stores, garage sales, or on Craigslist.
• Compostable materials - Browns like dried leaves, straw, or shredded newspaper provide carbon. Greens like food scraps, grass clippings, and plant trimmings provide nitrogen. Collect materials from your yard, neighbors, coffee shops, etc.

Sourcing free or inexpensive materials takes a bit of searching, but helps make DIY compost bins very affordable to construct. With some basic tools and reused materials, you'll have your own compost bin set up in no time.

Assembling the Structure

When assembling your DIY compost bin, follow these step-by-step instructions:

• Lay out all the pieces of wood and hardware. Make sure you have the required wood boards, nails, screws, and other materials needed before you begin.
• Cut the wood boards to the desired size if needed. Use a handsaw, circular saw, or miter saw to cut the boards. Wear safety goggles when cutting.
• Fasten the back wall boards together first if making a three or four-sided bin. Predrill holes to prevent splitting, and use exterior screws or galvanized nails to connect the boards.
• Attach the side wall boards next using exterior screws or nails. Check that the corners are square.
• Add a front wall board in the same way if making a three-sided compost bin. For a four-sided bin, attach the fourth wall.
• Reinforce the corners on the inside with diagonal scrap wood braces, screwing them into place. This will add stability.
• If adding a lid or roof, assemble those pieces next using screws or nails. Make sure the top fits snugly onto the box.
• Seal any gaps in the wood boards with exterior wood glue, caulk, or wood putty to prevent drafts and heat loss.
• Allow time for any glue or caulk to fully cure before using the compost bin.
• Paint or stain the outside of the bin if desired once fully constructed. Use exterior grade paint or wood stain.

Following these tips will result in a sturdy, well-built DIY compost bin ready for filling! Check your work, and make any adjustments needed to ensure the bin is square and level.

Preparing the Base

Proper drainage and aeration in the base of your compost bin are crucial for successful composting. The base allows air circulation under the compost, preventing it from becoming overly soggy or compacted. It also allows excess moisture to drain out, preventing anaerobic conditions.

To prepare the base, start by placing a 4-6 inch layer of coarse bulking material like sticks, twigs, corn cobs, or woodchips directly on the ground. This layer allows air flow up into the compost from below.

Next, add a 2-4 inch layer of straw or leaves on top of the coarse material to prevent compost from filtering down. You can also use hardware cloth or wire mesh in place of the straw to maintain airflow if desired.

Always make sure the ground under the compost has proper drainage. If needed, create a shallow trench under the bin to divert rainwater and prevent puddling. Proper drainage and aeration will foster ideal conditions for aerobic decomposition.

Filling the Bin

When filling your DIY compost bin, you'll want to maintain a balance of carbon and nitrogen materials. This is called the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N ratio). The ideal C:N ratio for effective composting is around 30:1. This means you want around 30 times as much carbon as nitrogen in your compost.

Carbon materials are often called "browns" in composting. They are high in carbon and provide energy for the composting process. Examples of brown materials are:

• Dry leaves
• Straw
• Sawdust
• Paper and cardboard
• Wood chips

Nitrogen materials are called "greens". They are high in nitrogen and provide nutrients for compost organisms to grow and thrive. Examples of green materials include:

• Grass clippings
• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Manure from herbivores
• Fresh garden trimmings

Aim to include a diverse mix of browns and greens in layers as you fill your bin. Turn or stir the compost weekly to mix and aerate the materials. Over time the materials will break down into rich, fertile compost for your garden!

Maintaining the Compost

Once your compost bin is set up and filled, some occasional maintenance is required to help the materials break down properly. Here are some tips:

Turning the Compost

• Turn or stir the compost at least once per week. This aerates the materials and ensures even decomposition. Use a pitchfork or compost turning tool to mix things up.
• More frequent turning (2-3 times per week) will speed up the process, especially in the beginning. Turning less often can still work, but may slow down decomposition.
• When turning, check that the compost maintains the right moisture level. If very dry, add water. If soggy, add more brown material like leaves or straw.

Moisture Level

• The compost should feel damp but not dripping wet. Aim for 40-60% moisture content.
• If compost becomes too dry, it won't decompose. If too wet, it can get compacted and smelly.
• Add water or dry brown materials like sawdust as needed to achieve the ideal dampness.

Troubleshooting

• If the compost has a bad odor, it likely needs more air. Turn it more frequently and add dry brown materials.
• If decomposition slows down, the pile may need more nitrogen. Mix in food scraps or manure to provide a nitrogen boost.
• If you have critters stealing compost, try using wire mesh to enclose the bin. Keep meat and fatty foods out of the mix.

Speeding Things Up

• Chopping or shredding materials before adding them will accelerate decomposition.
• Using a compost tumbler can make turning easier and speed the process.
• Mixing in manure or nitrogen-rich fertilizer can provide nutrients to help microbes thrive.

With the right conditions, you can have finished compost in 2-3 months. A little maintenance goes a long way!

Using the Finished Compost

Compost is ready to use when it has transformed into rich, dark brown, earthy-smelling, crumbly organic matter. It's the product of the natural decomposition process breaking down the raw materials in your compost bin.

There are many ways you can use compost to improve your garden and enrich your soil:

• Add a 2-4 inch layer of compost on top of existing soil when planting beds, gardens, or lawns. Mixing a few inches of compost into the top 6-12 inches of soil is also beneficial. This adds nutrients and organic matter that helps plants grow.
• Make compost tea by steeping compost in water for a few days or weeks. The resulting "tea" contains beneficial microbes and nutrients that make excellent fertilizer to feed directly to plants or apply to soil.
• Use compost as mulch around gardens, trees, and landscaping. Spread a 2-3 inch layer on top of soil to retain moisture, prevent weeds, and slowly release nutrients.
• Mix compost into potting mixes and soil blends for container gardening and potted plants. About 30% compost in the potting mix creates an optimal growing medium.
• Spread compost around the base of trees, shrubs, and landscaping plants. This mimics how plants grow in nature, with fallen leaves and decaying matter accumulating on the forest floor to fertilize the soil.

The finished compost from your DIY bin provides a free, natural fertilizer full of nutrients that your plants will thrive on. After your careful composting process, you can finally put the "black gold" to work improving your entire garden.

Conclusion

Building your own DIY compost bin can be a rewarding project that provides numerous benefits. Throughout this guide, we walked through the main steps for constructing a basic wooden compost bin, including choosing a design, gathering materials, assembling the structure, preparing the base, and filling the bin.

Composting your organic waste is not only good for the environment, it also produces nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden. Making your own compost eliminates the need to buy chemical fertilizers while reducing the waste sent to landfills. A homemade compost bin allows you to recycle yard trimmings, vegetable scraps, and more right in your backyard.

Once your compost bin is set up, the system is fairly low maintenance. You'll just need to occasionally mix and water the contents to aid decomposition. In a few months, you'll have finished compost ready to use. This dark, crumbly, earthy matter enriches soil and helps plants thrive.

For those interested in learning more, here are some additional resources on DIY composting:

• [Your State] Extension Office website - Find articles, guides, and workshops about composting from local experts. Get advice tailored to your climate.
• Books like Let it Rot by Stu Campbell - A classic guide to composting with in-depth information. Check your local library.
• Composting blogs and websites - Find tips and inspiration from experienced composters. See what methods work in their backyard.

With a little effort and creativity, you can build an effective compost bin tailored to your space and needs. Turning waste into black gold is rewarding for any gardener.

‍

For more DIY tips and tricks, DIYwithHelp have got you covered…

If you need some professional guidance for your project, be sure to sign up for a free account with DIYwithHelp.com. Once you have an account, you can search our site (or fill out a project request form) and connect with expert tradespeople who are willing to lend their advice over scheduled video-calls.