Building a compost bin

Construction

Many gardeners and homeowners use compost to improve soil structure and increase fertility. It's easy to make your own by recycling organic waste in a compost bin over several months. Building such a structure yourself is easy, using boards, old pallets, and other materials you have on hand.

Purpose of the compost bin

Compost is made from organic waste, which is always abundant in a garden or dacha. It is stored in a special pit or container. The latter option is becoming increasingly popular. A compost bin looks neater and more attractive than a pit. Some gardeners create small beds above it to grow zucchini, squash, and other vegetables. Furthermore, compost is easier to extract from such a container.

Before building a composter for your garden, choose a location for it. A shaded area of the garden, where sunlight is minimal, works well. Heating with ultraviolet light accelerates the decomposition of organic matter, which is not beneficial for composting.

According to sanitary regulations, compost bins cannot be installed near residential buildings. The distance must be at least 12 meters. Such a composter should be installed at least 8 meters away from drinking water sources. Also, avoid placing such a structure adjacent to a fence or wall; leave at least 1 meter between them.

Compost bins are typically placed in the most remote area of the plot, protected from the wind, to prevent the unpleasant odor from spreading throughout the entire area. They should be slightly elevated to prevent meltwater from washing away the bin's contents.

Types of compost bins and their requirements

Composting bins come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Most often, they're square with walls made of wooden planks or steel mesh. This structure is covered with plastic film or burlap to create the optimal temperature inside the bin for decomposition. The film also provides excellent protection from precipitation.

Important!

If necessary, the volume of such a box can be easily increased by adding walls. It can also be reduced by removing the top tier of boards.

Plastic containers with square or round cross-sections are available commercially. They have a lid to allow for aeration of the compost. A door allows for easy removal. The advantage of a factory-made plastic container is its long lifespan; it is resistant to rot and decay.

The compost bin must meet the following requirements:

Such structures are built without a bottom so that worms and beneficial microorganisms can easily enter.
Holes 2-3 cm wide are made in the side walls to allow oxygen to penetrate inside.
The box must have a lid to prevent precipitation from washing away the nutrients. Sometimes tarpaulin, burlap, or plastic are used as a cover. However, this is impractical and unattractive.
A sliding bar is installed at the bottom to provide access to the bottom layer of compost, where it matures faster.

Materials for manufacturing

Any available materials can be used to build a compost bin. Wood, metal, and plastic are the most common. They are inexpensive and readily available.

It's convenient to make a box from wooden planks, old pallets, plywood sheets, or slats. To prevent rot, wood materials must be coated with paint or another material. Otherwise, the structure will quickly deteriorate under the constant influence of moisture and wind.

Calculations of dimensions and materials

The compost bin should be medium-sized. A bin that's too large isn't necessary, as excess heat will cause the organic matter to decompose quickly. A small compost bin isn't suitable either, as the plants will dry out in it.

A three-compartment bin is very convenient. In the first, plants can be planted on partially rotted organic matter. The second is used for composting. The third is for storing the finished compost. Each compartment is 1 to 1.5 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, and its height ranges from 0.5 to 0.7 meters. Therefore, the total length will be 3 to 4.5 meters.

Important!

If the plot is small, it's more convenient to build a single compost bin. The compost is loaded from the top, and the finished compost is removed from the bottom through a door.

Assembling the box

You can build a compost bin without any plans. The design is very simple, and the dimensions can be chosen freely. First, assemble four walls, each measuring the size of the bin, using crossbars and suitable boards. Be sure to leave at least 1 cm of space between them for ventilation. For easy removal of the contents, the bottom of the container is hung on hinges or hinges. Using the same principle, create two partitions that will divide the bin into compartments.

The lid is made with two slopes to make the box easier to use. One slope is attached to hinges, and the other is fixed. This way, when the lid is lifted, it will rest on the fixed part and prevent sagging.

Once all the drawer parts are made, assembly begins. First, the side and back panels are attached to the side posts made from timber using screws. Then, the partitions are installed, secured with galvanized brackets. The lower opening section of the front panel is secured with hinges. Next, the fixed front panel is screwed in place. The lid is secured with furniture hinges and hooks for closing.

The bottom of the box is made of slabs or wire mesh to prevent rodents from accessing the contents. To improve ventilation, the structure is placed on wooden blocks rather than on bare ground.

Important!

For convenience, the box can be fully secured with metal hooks and hinges. This makes it easy to disassemble and move to a new location.

It's even easier to make a container out of old pallets. Simply attach them together in the desired order and attach a lid on top.

Conclusion

It's not difficult to make a compost bin yourself in your garden or dacha. Any inexpensive materials you have on hand will do. This device is indispensable for producing natural organic fertilizer.