How to Build a Compost Bin
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Why build a compost bin?
Knowing how to build a compost bin is half the fun of composting. When your compost is in a bin, you can keep it at an ideal temperature, which is essential for fungi and bacteria to grow, as well as for composting worms to stay healthy. Composting bins also help with keeping moisture levels stable, another essential item for creating healthy compost. These two items are part of the range of ways a composting bin might support a healthy composting ecosystem. 
Types of compost bin
Choose the best compost bin for you
There are different types of composting bins:
A holding unit is a small composting box that can be used in an apartment or confined space. Note that composting takes longer in holding units, as they tend not to get as much air flow as other types of boxes.
Another type of composting bin is a portable bin, which is similar to a holding unit, but can be dismantled. You can purchase this type of composting bin at the hardware store in the form of a plastic bin. Some people choose to build them with wood and wire fence material.
Another type of composting bin is called a turning unit. If you want to make compost quickly, try making compost using a turning unit. Turning units incorporate more air flow into the process of composting, so composting with a turning unit is often faster than other types of bins. Note that a turning unit might be hard to build.
There are various other types of composting bins you can build. These types of bins include brick bins, basically a square set of brick walls without mortar (to allow compost to breathe); a rotating barrel, which can be constructed using old metal barrels; rotating bins, which work best for people who want to compost yard waste; wooden palette bins; and snow fence bins.
A holding unit is a small composting box that can be used in an apartment or confined space. Note that composting takes longer in holding units, as they tend not to get as much air flow as other types of boxes.
Another type of composting bin is a portable bin, which is similar to a holding unit, but can be dismantled. You can purchase this type of composting bin at the hardware store in the form of a plastic bin. Some people choose to build them with wood and wire fence material.Another type of composting bin is called a turning unit. If you want to make compost quickly, try making compost using a turning unit. Turning units incorporate more air flow into the process of composting, so composting with a turning unit is often faster than other types of bins. Note that a turning unit might be hard to build.
There are various other types of composting bins you can build. These types of bins include brick bins, basically a square set of brick walls without mortar (to allow compost to breathe); a rotating barrel, which can be constructed using old metal barrels; rotating bins, which work best for people who want to compost yard waste; wooden palette bins; and snow fence bins.
Compost heap or pile
Composting without a bin
Finally, if you don't want to build a bin at all, try piling all your compost together into a heap. Note that you have to manually turn a heap.
Further alternatives include sheet composting and trench composting. Again, these can be accomplished without a bin.
Further alternatives include sheet composting and trench composting. Again, these can be accomplished without a bin.
Compost bin plans
Plans for building a compost bin
If you want to build a compost bin, start by drafting compost bin plans.
Plans include what kind of bin you want, what materials you need, and how much material you need.
The easiest way to build a bin is by getting some chicken wire and making a circular structure. You can figure out how much wire you need by measuring the diameter of your compost heap, then multiplying that number by pi, or 3.14 for short. That's how much fencing you need.
Next, find the location that you want your compost heap located at, then build the mesh fence around that point, securing it with zip ties or metal snaps. Some people recommend pounding a wood stake into the center of the area to support your compost pile once it starts getting big.
Plans include what kind of bin you want, what materials you need, and how much material you need.
The easiest way to build a bin is by getting some chicken wire and making a circular structure. You can figure out how much wire you need by measuring the diameter of your compost heap, then multiplying that number by pi, or 3.14 for short. That's how much fencing you need.
Next, find the location that you want your compost heap located at, then build the mesh fence around that point, securing it with zip ties or metal snaps. Some people recommend pounding a wood stake into the center of the area to support your compost pile once it starts getting big.
Ventilation
Airflow is vital for good composting
When you build a compost bin, no matter which type you choose, you must ensure there is adequate airflow through the compost. Without enough airflow, the compost will become soggy and the composting process will not happen.
Composting Without a Bin
Revolutionary new way to compost
Let's face it, composting can be messy, whether you use a compost bin or other container. Some people want an alternative way of getting great food for their gardens without all the hard work and mess of a compost bin or compost pile. I've found the answer! Check out colloidal humus compost
What else are people saying about composting?
It's such a fascinating subject!
There's so much to composting that people are talking about. I'll gradually build my link list to some of the best information.
- An interesting take on compost
- Lots of people don't like all the fuss and mess of composting. Here's someone that found a totally new way of doing it --- and it works!
- My lens on making compost tea
- Tea can go where traditional compost can't go, and can do wonders for the leaves of your plants, etc.
What do you think of my lens?
Tell me what else I should add
I'd like to make my lens as helpful as possible to folks who want to know how to build a compost bin. If there's something you think I should add, please leave me a comment and I'll do my best to get it up there!
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Wendy Oliver
Nov 10, 2011 @ 2:12 am | delete
- The first thing you have the choice of wooden bins that can be designed according to your desired size and appearance. You must consider other important factors like access to the contents, ability to retain heat and scavenger resistance. Usually, cedar wood is recommended since it can withstand moisture and, hence, last for many years to come. However, you can always use spare lumber of any kind in building compost bins and then use them as compost material later on.
compost bins
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carredsal
Apr 14, 2010 @ 9:58 am | delete
- Nice job! I would add a few more pictures. Overall nice lens...good info!
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Euryale Jul 25, 2009 @ 5:14 pm | delete
- Lens in the Green Thumb are required to have pictures in the intro module. As this lens was part of the compost contest, it's clear it used to have an image, but since it does not now, it's being booted from the group.
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Euryale Mar 6, 2008 @ 12:24 pm | delete
- Since the number of lenses in the Green Thumb has grown into a huge steaming pile, I've decided to hold a lens challenge to determine the best. I don't think the group needs every lens on compost as much as it would benefit from just having the best ones.
The Challenge runs from now through the end of March. Promote those lenses and on April 1st, the top three compost and compost-related lenses (as determined by lensrank) will get to stay in the group and the others will be booted.
I'm sorry if anyone thinks I'm being mean, but I believe that gardens needs the best and healthiest plants and biodiversity, and so do lens Groups.
Good luck and may the best compost lenses win!
- Euryale
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Blog Posts from Google
What's on the Web about composting?
There's lots of good stuff about composting --- which is also "good stuff" --- out there on the Web. This feed is one way of keeping up with it. Now sometimes Google gets a little offtrack, so if there's something here that is not compost related, just go to the next one on the list!
- Easy Continuous Batch Composting with New Lifetime Dual Compost Tumbler
- Similar to Lifetime's single barrel composters, the Lifetime Dual Compost Tumbler features an internal...
- Arlington Heights panel approves composting ordinance
- Per the ordinance, composting containers must be kept a minimum five feet from the property line and...
- Over 500 readers respond to survey on Portland's curbside composting
- "My little urban yard is too small to absorb the amount of compost I would make if I composted it...
- Iowa 9th grader becomes a compost evangelist
- Compost piles give off carbon dioxide ? a less severe greenhouse gas than methane ? as well as produce...
by JessicaTheGardeningNut
JessicaTheGardeningNut
Hello! My name is Jessica Madden and I'm a gardening nut! Although I've been at this for years, I don't consider myself an expert. However, I do know a... more »
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