Building Your Own Backyard Compost Bin: A Step-by-Step Guide

Composting is a fantastic way to reduce waste, enrich your garden, and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Instead of throwing away food scraps and yard waste, you can transform them into nutrient-rich humus that will benefit your plants. While there are many compost bins available for purchase, building your own is a rewarding and often more affordable option. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of creating a durable and efficient compost bin using readily available materials.

Why Build Your Own Compost Bin?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s explore why building your own compost bin is a worthwhile endeavor:

• Cost-Effective: Pre-made compost bins can be expensive. Building your own allows you to utilize materials you might already have or acquire them at a fraction of the cost.
• Customizable: You can tailor the size and design of your bin to suit your specific needs and available space.
• Environmentally Friendly: Reusing materials like pallets or scrap lumber helps reduce waste and promotes a circular economy.
• Sense of Accomplishment: Building your own bin is a satisfying project that connects you to the process of composting.
• Educational: It’s a great learning experience about decomposition and sustainable practices.

Types of Compost Bins

There are several types of compost bins you can build, but for this guide, we’ll focus on two popular and relatively simple designs:

1. Pallet Bin: Utilizing wooden pallets, this is an easy and inexpensive way to create a sturdy, enclosed bin.
2. Wire Mesh Bin: Using wire mesh fencing, this creates a well-ventilated and lightweight bin.

Materials Needed

The specific materials you’ll need will depend on the type of bin you choose. Here’s a breakdown for each:

Pallet Bin

• 4 Wooden Pallets: Look for sturdy pallets in good condition. Avoid pallets that have been treated with chemicals. Pallets labeled “HT” (heat treated) are generally safe.
• Screws or Nails: Exterior-grade screws or nails (3-inch or longer) for securing the pallets together.
• Drill or Hammer: Depending on whether you’re using screws or nails.
• Measuring Tape: For accurate alignment.
• Optional: Wood Saw: To trim pallets if necessary.
• Optional: Wire or Zip Ties: For extra securing if needed.

Wire Mesh Bin

• Wire Mesh Fencing: 3-4 feet high, with a small mesh size (e.g., 1/2 inch or 1 inch). The length will depend on the desired diameter of your bin (typically 6-10 feet).
• Wire Cutters: For cutting the wire mesh.
• Heavy-duty Gloves: To protect your hands from the sharp wire.
• Twist Ties, Wire, or Metal Clips: To secure the ends of the mesh together.
• Optional: Stakes or Posts: To provide extra stability (especially on uneven ground).

Step-by-Step Instructions: Pallet Compost Bin

Follow these steps to build a robust and functional pallet compost bin:

1. Prepare Your Space: Choose a level and well-drained location for your compost bin. Consider accessibility for adding materials and turning the compost. Avoid placing it directly on concrete or pavement, which can hinder drainage and airflow.
2. Position the First Pallet: Lay one pallet flat on the ground. This will be the back of your bin. Ensure the pallet is positioned so that the spaces between the slats are horizontal.
3. Attach the Side Pallets: Stand a second pallet upright, placing one of its ends against the edge of the first pallet. This will form one side of your bin. Use your drill or hammer to securely attach the second pallet to the first using screws or nails. Repeat this step on the other side of the first pallet with the third pallet to form the other side of your bin. You should now have a U-shaped structure.
4. Attach the Front Pallet: Stand the fourth pallet upright, and place it so that it forms the front of the bin, closing the U-shape into a square. Secure it to the side pallets using screws or nails. You have now completed a simple four-sided compost bin.
5. Reinforce the Corners (Optional): For added stability, you can use wire or zip ties to further secure the pallet corners. You can also use metal L brackets for a stronger more stable corner but this would require more material and potentially different fasteners.
6. Create a Door (Optional): You can modify one of the front pallets to create a removable door for easy access to the compost. This can be achieved by removing screws or nails from the vertical boards of one side of the pallet, and using hinges to reattach them, allowing the side to swing open and close. You can also just leave the slats off, as there is enough spacing between the horizontal slats to access the compost, without having to move any of the pallets.
7. Inspect and Make Adjustments: Double-check all connections to ensure they are secure. Make any necessary adjustments.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Wire Mesh Compost Bin

Follow these steps to create a simple and well-ventilated wire mesh compost bin:

1. Prepare Your Space: Choose a level and well-drained area for your compost bin, similar to the pallet bin preparation.
2. Unroll the Wire Mesh: Carefully unroll the wire mesh fencing on the ground, being cautious of the sharp edges. Wear your heavy-duty gloves.
3. Form a Cylinder: Wrap the wire mesh into a circle or cylinder shape. Adjust the overlap as needed to achieve your desired diameter. Ensure the bottom edge is relatively even to prevent gaps.
4. Secure the Ends: Use twist ties, wire, or metal clips to securely fasten the two ends of the wire mesh together. Overlap at least 6 inches to ensure a strong join. Check for any gaps that might let material fall out.
5. Add Support (Optional): If your bin isn’t completely stable, drive stakes or posts into the ground around the perimeter of the bin for added support. Secure the wire mesh to the stakes using additional wire ties or clips.
6. Inspect and Adjust: Check that the cylinder shape is sturdy. Make any necessary adjustments to create a stable structure.
7. Optional Layering for Smaller Pieces: If you’re worried about small pieces of compost falling out, you can line the inside of the bin with cardboard or a layer of straw. This isn’t always necessary, but can be helpful for containing smaller materials in the early stages of decomposition.

Tips for Successful Composting

Building your bin is just the first step. Here are some key tips for maintaining a healthy and efficient compost pile:

• Maintain the Right Ratio: Aim for a balance of “greens” (nitrogen-rich materials like food scraps, grass clippings) and “browns” (carbon-rich materials like dried leaves, shredded paper, cardboard). A good general ratio is 2:1 browns to greens.
• Chop Materials: Break down larger items into smaller pieces to speed up the decomposition process. This is especially important for larger items like vegetable stems.
• Aerate Regularly: Turn your compost pile every week or two using a pitchfork or shovel to provide oxygen for the microorganisms breaking down the organic matter. This will also ensure a more even break down of the materials.
• Keep it Moist: Your compost pile should be moist, like a wrung-out sponge. If it is too dry, the decomposition process will slow down. If it is too wet it can become smelly and encourage anaerobic decomposition, which is less desirable. Add water as needed to maintain the correct moisture level.
• Monitor the Temperature: A healthy compost pile will heat up as it decomposes. Use a compost thermometer to monitor the temperature. This is generally a better indication of microbial activity than moisture content alone.
• Be Patient: Composting takes time. Be patient and allow the process to work its magic. The time will depend on temperature, moisture content, and the particle size of the composted materials. It can take from 3 weeks to a year, depending on the method and climate.
• Avoid Problematic Materials: Do not compost meat, dairy, oily foods, or diseased plants, as these can attract pests and create odors, or cause pathogen growth in your compost.

Troubleshooting Common Composting Issues

Even with the best of intentions, you might encounter some common composting issues. Here’s how to address them:

• Bad Odors: If your compost smells rotten, it’s likely too wet or lacks oxygen. Turn the pile, add more browns, and reduce the amount of food waste.
• Slow Decomposition: This could be due to a lack of moisture, insufficient green materials, or not enough aeration. Check these key areas, and adjust as necessary.
• Too Many Flies: This indicates that your compost bin is attracting pests. Make sure that you’re following the guidelines for materials to compost. A layer of soil or straw on the top of the compost can deter flies.
• The pile is too cold: If your pile is not heating up, ensure you have a good balance of greens and browns. Also make sure there is sufficient moisture. In colder temperatures you may find the pile will not heat up. Insulating your compost bin can help maintain temperature in winter months.

Using Your Finished Compost

Once your compost is finished, it will be dark, crumbly, and smell earthy. It’s now ready to enrich your garden:

• Soil Amendment: Mix finished compost into your garden beds to improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient content.
• Potting Mix: Add compost to your potting mixes for healthier and more vibrant container plants.
• Mulch: Spread compost around the base of plants to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and release nutrients.
• Top Dressing: Sprinkle compost over your lawn to improve soil health and promote lush growth.

Conclusion

Building your own compost bin is an easy and rewarding project that can make a significant positive impact on your garden and the environment. Whether you choose to construct a pallet bin or a wire mesh bin, follow the steps outlined in this guide, and you’ll be well on your way to transforming waste into valuable garden gold. Happy composting!