Building compost bins for your garden allows you to create your own compost; once you have an active bin, you won’t have to pay for compost again. Composting also allows you to recycle your food and yard waste, resulting in an overall greener lifestyle. When building compost bins, you don’t have to spend a lot of money; the bin simply needs to be large enough and sturdy enough to hold in the compost.
Look for free or cheap building materials for your compost bin. Since the most expensive part of the project is the materials, picking these up for free allows you to create compost containers for a fraction of the cost you’d pay to buy one. When building compost bins, choose materials that are sturdy enough to hold in the compost and waterproof to stand up to all types of weather.
Wood, in the form of leftover lumber, old furniture and shipping palettes works well for building compost bins. A simple square made from nailing four wood shipping palettes together makes a large bin that will stand up to any type of weather, and you can simply remove one side any time you need to access or turn the compost. Shipping palettes can often be found for free by checking the trash or recycling bins at local businesses.
Old wood furniture that has exhausted its usefulness in the home can be repurposed and used for building compost bins. Newer furniture that features veneer or particleboard is not as useful, since it won’t stand up well to wet weather.
If wood is not an option, an inexpensive compost bin can be assembled from wire fencing and metal posts. This type of compost bin is fast and easy to assemble, and can be broken down and moved in minutes if needed. While a wire fence compost bin is not expensive, it won’t hold up as well as its wooden counterparts; expect a compost bin made from wire fencing to last a season or two, and require replacing after a few years.
A recycled plastic bin or tub can also be used for composting. Look for a cylinder shaped drum for best results. A cylinder or drum shaped bin with a lid can be rolled to turn the compost, making it an ideal choice for someone lacking in physical strength or with joint or back issues.
No matter what material you choose, choose a spot for your compost bin wisely. Look for a location that is convenient to both your home (for depositing composting materials) and your garden (for removing usable compost). The more accessible your compost bin is, the more likely you will use it.
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