“Earth knows no desolation. She smells regeneration in the moist breath of decay.”–George Meredith
Composting is a natural way to recycle organic matter and boost your garden’s productivity. You will find satisfaction in turning leftovers and plant materials into nutritious fertilizers for your soil. All you will need are a few simple tools for set up and then the scraps you have left over from your everyday activities.
Any solid-sided container, including barrels and crates, can be referred to as a bin. The container can be wood, plastic, or concrete. Each has its benefits, but wood is more earth-friendly and economical. It will eventually decay, but it is more porous than plastic. Concrete blocks can also be used, but the bin becomes semi-permanent due to its weight.
The easiest compost bin to make is one from pre-fabricated fencing which is readily available at Home Depot, Lowe’s or your local hardware store. If you choose to build your own, with minimal effort you can construct a nice compost bin from lengths of fencing. Be sure to purchase fencing panels that have not been manufactured from pressure-treated or chemically-treated wood. In addition, choose fencing with panels placed close together to hold in the composting material.
Steps
How to Make a Compost Bin
1. Buy 4 lengths of fencing and 4 L-brackets with screws. (If the fencing comes in 8 ft. lengths, you may only need to buy two lengths and cut them in half. This is easily done with a hack saw. Be sure to measure first.)
2. Position the panels together at 90 degree angles.
3. Affix L-brackets to the corners.
4. Stand the two right-angles sections of fencing together to form the compost bin.
5. Choose the location for your compost heap.
You will want to pick a convenient site for your compost heap. Choose a site that is near your garden and it will be convenient for use. However, if you locate the heap uphill from the garden, you won’t have as much work wheel-barrowing the finished product to your plants. You might want to locate the site near your kitchen to be convenient for adding new materials.
To start composting, cover the floor of your bin with about 3 inches of straw. The general rule is to alternate green materials with brown materials. Make sure you compost stays moist but not wet. Aerate by placing branches in the mix. It is a good idea to put in as much material as you can at one time. If necessary, cover the bin to keep it from becoming waterlogged. A good location might be under a deciduous tree so that it will be shaded in summer and exposed to light in winter.