I would like DIY plans for a compost bin.

Martha Hutton
by Martha Hutton
I would like a small compost bin (we are a small family) that rolls or tumbles easily.
  1 answer
  • Ric20457121 Ric20457121 on May 20, 2017

    I have to assume that you have grass clippings and/or leaves to start a compost bin. The cheapest way - and I have been doing this for 40 years - is to make your

    compost bed out of chicken wire. It seems as though you would not need to buy

    anything but the smallest amount of wire available at your Lowe's or Home Depot. You control the size of the bin by deciding how much to cut off and marry the two ends and by doing this you have a "round" bed. Turning will not be as

    often because the wire itself will insure that air gets to the material. You will have to water it -compost should not be too dry or too wet. I would turn it about

    once a week with some type of turning fork. You will know the composting

    process is working when you observe the pile going down. I have never used any

    other type of bin as I feel this is the best - cheapest and easiest. I have four

    bins in my large back yard - each one in different processes of composting.

    I have many happy earth worms and LOTS of finished compost. BTW - the wire

    lasts forever - I recommend buying 4x2 inch wire but no larger. Be sure to put

    the right "stuff" in the bin: leaves (preferably cut up with your mower-I have

    a small electric mower with a catcher), grass clippings, Any and ALL of your

    fruit and vegetable peels, buttermilk and yogurt "water" (rinse out the

    container and pour it on the compost, NO meat or grease. Good luck.