How To Build A Compost Heap – One Way or Another…
Compost can be made on a piece of open ground in the corner of your garden by heaping up layers of organic matter and soil. However, some type of container is preferable to make the pile more attractive or to prevent scattering of the material. That’s where a compost bin is useful.
You can spend large sums of money and time on purchasing and building a compost bin. However, it is not necessary to do this as there are a number of cheaper alternatives that work just as well.
Ideally, a compost pile must be at least 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall, otherwise it dries out. And it can be any length.
1. Concrete Blocks.
Concrete blocks aren’t particularly cheap, but they will last forever. Sometimes you can find seconds, if you’re near a production plant or demolition site. They are not normally reused after a building is taken down and can be hauled off for free but check first before removing.
Stack the blocks in any shape that suits your plot. They could be laid in place with mortar as a wall but stacking without mortar works well too. Stack them with the holes vertical on most of the blocks, turning a few with the holes horizontal for ventilation. You can build several bins in a row and save materials by having common interior walls.
2. Wooden slatted bin
Construction is of alternating, stacked 2 x 4′s on each of the four sides of the bin. Cut 3 foot lengths of 2 x 4′s, five for each of the four sides. The 2 x 4′s are stacked with the 4 inch dimension vertical. Holes are drilled in the corner of each piece so a 3/8 inch rod can be in each corner to hold it together. Concrete reinforcing rod will be good. You can leave the ends of the
2 x 4′s as-is. Or you can cut notches in the ends of half the 2 x 4′s so they nest together like a log house.
3. Stacked Wooden Poles.
If you have plenty of poles around your place, you can stack them to make 4 walls. Drill holes in the ends of the poles like the Wooden bin and secure the corners with a 3 foot, or whatever length, section of rod.
4. Leaf Mold Bin.
A 30 inch wide piece of 2 x 4 inch mesh welded wire is formed into a 30 inch diameter circle and the ends are fastened together. You can use wider wire and you can make the diameter larger too. You could line the inside with black mulching sheet but it isn’t necessary. Add your organic matter and allow it to settle and continue to add material until settling has slowed. Cover the bin with plastic for protection. Since you won’t be turning the material allow plenty of time for decomposition.
5. Canvas sack
Support a canvas sack (as used by builders merchants when delivering bulk sand and ballast) on a frame made with old pallets. Fill the sack with your organic material and cover if necessary. Turn out when composted.
So, there you have it. Five cheap and simple compost containers.
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