DIY Compost Bin
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.
Linking up with: Live Laugh Rowe, The 36th Avenue, Liz Marie Blog, Design Dining and Diapers, Monday Funday, Today’s Creative Blog, Lil’ Luna, Ginger Snap Crafts,
January 20, 2013 @ 10:54 am
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!
January 22, 2013 @ 9:17 pm
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.
January 20, 2013 @ 10:48 pm
Awesome! I have never composted, but this makes it look easy! (and less messy)
January 22, 2013 @ 9:15 pm
Yep, so far so good. 🙂
January 22, 2013 @ 11:56 am
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!
January 22, 2013 @ 9:13 pm
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!
January 22, 2013 @ 2:14 pm
I am all about 1/2 ass!! I am very interested to know how this turns out! I pinned this idea!
January 22, 2013 @ 9:18 pm
Thanks! I will definitely post updates. It seems to be looking pretty good so far!
May 15, 2013 @ 1:54 pm
Funny! My ex says I’m all ass, but i digress! I’m also interested in the results. Now that its warmer and all
January 23, 2013 @ 6:34 pm
This a great idea. The compost bins I like are too expensive.
Ruth
February 7, 2013 @ 5:05 pm
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….. 🙁
February 9, 2013 @ 12:14 am
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.
August 30, 2013 @ 8:26 pm
It’s been almost 7 months since I started my compost bin and it’s worked out GREAT! Almost everything in there has decomposed nicely and looks just like really fertile dirt 🙂
I would probably have a much fuller bin right now, but I discovered “trench composting” this summer so I’ve been digging holes in the area I am going to use for my veggie garden next spring and filling it with organic waste.
Thanks again for posting this! It’s worked out great!
September 2, 2013 @ 6:31 pm
I am seriously thrilled to hear this, thank you for letting me know!
September 5, 2013 @ 9:00 pm
My pleasure! I love when people follow up on stuff like this, so I was thrilled to bring some happy news!
Sadly, I won’t be able to use my compost until maybe next year though, since I keep adding more now. LOL
July 29, 2013 @ 9:39 am
Looking for an update on your composting. I want to start, but want to know if you were successful before I try.
August 4, 2013 @ 12:21 pm
Hi, it worked out really well! Go for it!!
August 28, 2013 @ 1:38 pm
Oh, I’m so excited to try this. I’ll pin this, as well. Thanks for the great idea!
August 28, 2013 @ 8:24 pm
Thanks so much, good luck!
February 14, 2014 @ 1:55 pm
Has your compost container been a success???
April 19, 2014 @ 8:55 pm
I just so happen to have a spare tub in the garage, can’t wait to get this started!
May 3, 2014 @ 6:00 pm
I am a newbie to gardening.. And this may seem like a dumb question, but how long from when you start the compost container, till it’s ready to garden with? And when is the best time if year to start it??
May 3, 2014 @ 9:08 pm
Compost takes 6-12 months to break down, sometimes longer depending on the item. Worms in the bin will speed it up I believe, though I haven’t done it myself.
My bin has been “cooking” for over a year and would be ready to be used IF I stopped adding more! I bought a second bin so that I can let the first one finish cooking and throw stuff in the new one instead.
April 22, 2019 @ 12:07 am
You can buy started to throw in and it cooks a lot faster. I make compost tea so it goes a lot farther.