Cadillac of compost bins

Question

Just finished replacing a compost bin for friends who garden mightily in the city. My clients were tired of tree roots growing up thru the bottom of the old bin, so we made this one sit atop stone and fabric with a bottom of composite decking. Since they wanted this to last and didn't have the budget for cedar, they went with pressure-treated. HD here now sells Weathershield, a micronized copper quaternary, that is said to be safer than past lumber treatments like CCA and ACQ. The lids are to deter their very inquisitive dog.

Becky H · Answer

Wow!  Very impressive!

Miriam Illions · Answer

That really is the Cadillac of compost bins!

Douglas Hunt · Answer

Some serious composting goes on at that house, which is great to see.

Jan M · Answer

Directions please on the construction of these awesome bins. I think that one would probably do or two smaller ones for my needs.

L J · Answer

Really like this i do lots of recycling and used to compost but its the first place my dogs head when we open up the garden fence at the end of the year. Lots of my recycle items could go back into these.Thanks for the great pic's.

P R · Answer

Love it, wish it was mine  lol

Sandra M · Answer

this is great.  will pass this on to my son

Carol M · Answer

One of these bins is just what I need in my garden. love the lid!

Vicki R · Answer

Beautiful! Would love to have this at my house to prevent the raccoons & skunks from digging through my compost.

Thom Cincotta Custom Renovation & Repair, LLC · Answer

what I liked most about this design (which wasn't my idea) were the removable front 2x6 wall slats.  The jambs are made by forming a Tee with two  2x4s, then affixing baluster stock to the sides of one 2x4 to make the channel for the wall slats.  I used balusters for the lid frames because 2x4s made the lids too heavy.  Staples or roofing nails hold all the hardware cloth in place.  It's basically a 36'x36' cube sitting atop a composite deck over a 2x4 frame (w/ one joist in the middle).

Thom Cincotta Custom Renovation & Repair, LLC · Answer

having more than one bin allows for turning and rotating the composting material into the other bins to speed the process.

Sheila S · Answer

Can you use a plastic bin to compost. I've never done it before. Saw something recently in plastic looks great not sure if it would work in plastic. Does it need air holes?  I want to put it in the shade is that a wise choice? Please reply to my e mail heartprints143@yahoo.com and put  FB in subject line. Thank you in advance.

Thom Cincotta Custom Renovation & Repair, LLC · Answer

I've been using a rotating plastic drum that works great.  I've read that shade is best, but can't recall the rationale.

Jan M · Answer

Hey Thom, can you come to Oregon to build me one? heheh sounds a bit complicated but I do recall way back when one very similar was in Mother Earth Magazine. Whoa Daddy, does that date me. heheh

Jan M · Answer

Excuse me but it was the Whole Earth Catalog

Sherrie S · Answer

Thom, I compost in two composters but I need a set up like yours AFTER the composter job is complete. Your bin would be perfect at my home since it makes the  compost ready for planting.  Thank you for the posting.

Debra T · Answer

Can you tell me the measurements of this Cadillac - Compost - Bin.. I am thinking about building one ....

Thom Cincotta Custom Renovation & Repair, LLC · Answer

Each bin is approximately 3'x3' square (looking from above), and roughly 3' tall.  First I built a 3x9 rectangle as a base out of pt 2x4 (with one joist running the long way in the middle.  I affixed 2x4 posts to the outside of the base using screws.  Then I laid composite decking, which overhangs the base 1.5' and extends to the outside edge of all posts.  I added steel connectors to give the posts a better tie to the base on top of the decking.  The posts are tied together with 2x4 stock laid on top. One of my earlier comments contains some additional measurement info, but unfortunately I don't have any written plans -- kinda built it as I went.

Carol · Answer

This looks great! Any pictures of it in use?

Fis51703537 · Answer

How can I get plans for this 3 bin compost bin.

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Cadillac of compost bins

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