Things To Consider When Making A Compost Bin

Making a compost bin is not only cost-efficient it can also do wonders for your compost break down speeds. Moreover, rather than piling on compost on the surface of your yard or digging a compost pit (which could be very laborious in tough soil!) making a compost bin is a better alternative.

Compost Bin Size

In making a compost bin, the size will depend on the volume of compost ingredients your household or farm produces each week. The thing to remember is that, all things being equal, decomposition will take place at a faster rate in a six-foot-square bin than in a three-foot-square one.

However, decay rates largely depend on what you put in the bin. (Hint: Nitrogen-rich substances like manure can heat up a pile real fast and hasten decomposition as long as pile temperatures are kept below 150?F.)

On the other hand, making a compost bin that is too big for you to be able to mix compost in the middle of the bin can decrease the overall decomposition rate. Not turning the pile sufficiently may also cause stench.

If your yard or farm produces lots of dry leaves and straw, and especially manure from herbivores, you can manage a six-foot-square bin. But if you use mostly kitchen scraps as compost material, then a smaller bin would be sufficient.

Compost Bin Materials

The most practical materials to use in making a compost bin are ones that you already have on hand. If your farm or household has left over construction material (e.g., concrete blocks, bricks, planks) or has left over galvanized wire material (e.g., chicken wire, fencing wire), then use those.

When using excess construction material, form a square enclosure on the ground, each side measuring 3 to 6 feet on one side (depending on your preference). You may also opt to save material by forming a triangular enclosure instead.

When using chicken/fencing wire, measure and cut out 12 to 15 feet worth and create a drum-like structure by using wire to fasten the ends together. Make sure that, although secure to hold compost heap, the fastening can be undone when you need to harvest the processed compost.

You can combine the two previous methods of making a compost bin by using four pieces of two-by-fours, positioned to make a square, and pulling the wire tightly around them and fastening them onto the wood. Then, simply clip the wire to form a gate as secure with a latch.

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