DIY Compost Bin
by Andrea • January 16, 2013 • DIY, Gardening • 14 Comments
I admit it. I’ve got compost fever. Now, I realize January is not the ideal time to start a project like this, but it’s been unusually warm most of the winter, and I’m hoping that even with the cooler temps I’ll be able to crank out one tub of compost to start off my garden this summer.
I’ve been researching all the best containers for composting. My ideal set up would be one of those big containers that has a door in the bottom, so you can scoop out finished compost while still adding new stuff to the top. But, I don’t have a spare $200 earmarked for composters at the moment.
So, DIY to the rescue.
I eventually settled on this tutorial using a plastic bin at Young House Love. It was a small investment monetarily at $7.99, and time-wise as well. I finished in about 15 minutes.
I drilled about 10 holes in the bottom of my bin.
Luckily, I failed to rake any leaves this fall. So, I had plenty of dry leaves to line the bottom of my bin.
This whole process was making Pug really uneasy.
I figured for my dirt layer I’d just dump in the leftover soil from my patio garden buckets. It would be so easy. I’m brilliant!
Except, oh yeah, it’s January. My soil was frozen pretty much solid. Not one to be deterred, I decided to wing it and keep going. I broke up as much of the dirt as I could, figuring I can always stir it up when the weather gets warmer.
Please don’t judge the amount of produce waste I have. I am working on it, okay? Since I couldn’t stir my mixture together at the moment, I didn’t bother adding water right now. I figure there is probably enough moisture in that giant frozen block of dirt for the time being.
I popped the lid on and drilled 10 more holes.
Then placed my finished bin here next to the deck. It should be pretty well shaded by the deck, but easy to access from the kitchen to drop in scraps.
I’ll be updating my progress as time goes on. I know you’ll be on the edge of your seats waiting to see if my half-assed attempt was actually successful. If it is, this could really be an inspiration to lazy gardeners everywhere.
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This is a brilliant idea! I have dying for my own compost, living in an apt make is harder, and this might just work! Thanks!
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I hope it works out for you! This will be my first summer in our new house, before we lived in a Townhouse and I had to do all my gardening in containers. I never even considered composting back then.
Awesome! I have never composted, but this makes it look easy! (and less messy)
Yep, so far so good.
On behalf of lazy gardeners everywhere, I say, yay! I may have to give this a try too! I wish those darn bins didn’t cost so much. A rubbermaid container just might do the trick!
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I know, right? It’s like, I want to save money by producing my own compost, it kind of defeats the purpose if I have to invest $200 to do it! Sure, it will be worth it in the long run, but ouch!
I am all about 1/2 ass!! I am very interested to know how this turns out! I pinned this idea!
Thanks! I will definitely post updates. It seems to be looking pretty good so far!
Funny! My ex says I’m all ass, but i digress! I’m also interested in the results. Now that its warmer and all
This a great idea. The compost bins I like are too expensive.
Ruth
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How is it working out??? I really want to try composting but my hubby isn’t really down with it. He’s afraid of attracting wild animals into our yard and what not. We already have a ton of squirrels and rabbits (and last fall we had a wild turkey!) But this seems like something that’s cheap, easy and will keep them out! (Side note – if it works out, you could probably have a couple of bins – one for old compost to take from and one for new stuff to add to.) Also, my produce trash looks like yours, too
I always forget about it in those darn produce drawers! I know for a fact I have probably 3 rotting pears right now….. 
We’ve had a lot of rain/snow lately and the yard is a sopping wet mess. So, I haven’t been out to check on it recently. I keep meaning to access it from the deck to avoid the mud, but I forget until it’s after dark. D’oh.
Our house backs up to a wooded area and there are lots of squirrels, rabbits and other wildlife back there. I have seen no evidence whatsoever of anything trying to get into my compost!
And yes, I plan on starting a second bin when this one is full so the first one can “cook” and be ready for spring planting.
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