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Building your Own Compost
Bin |
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Below are several
ideas for you.
Composting is more
art than science. It can be as simple or complicated as
you make it. You can compost a open pile of organic material or you
can compost in a closed purchased container or you can build your own.
There are many many examples on the internet - below are some of my favorite designs that you can build. |
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Click on
the picture for more details. |
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Lowe's: "This two-bin
composting system can be built by one person in about five hours...."
Download a printable version of the plans |
Sunset Magazine: "It's
inexpensive, easy to build, and features five stackable sections for
simple, efficient composting..." |
Fine Gardening: "My own
homemade compost bin is easy to assemble and disassemble and works with
whatever size compost pile I have at a given time...." |
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"The bird's nest bin, also
known as the binless bin, is a naturally constructed compost bin that
you build out of the large, coarse plant materials that you have around
the yard..." |
"What you will need for this
project is 4 shipping pallets that are roughly the same size, 4 L
brackets, 2 strap hinges, a latch and the screws to attach the
hardware..." |
"Building your own bin is a
great way to customize a system to fit your composting needs..."
Also includes several other simple plans. |
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"A rotating barrel composter -- With a
substantial input of labor, a large volume of yard waste can be
composted in a relatively short time (3 weeks to 6 months). Turning bins
can require a greater expense to buy or effort to build...." |
Use a garbage-can to make an inexpensive
composter. Simply remove the bottom and drill holes - ready to
use. No link here |
Recycle that old snow-fence. Pound
2x2's into the ground (at least 8" deep). .
No link here |
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| Options for Composting
Bins: |
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One Bin Systems:
A one bin system is the easiest way to
make a compost pile. This is a good system if your organic sources are
limited or your space is limited. The construction is basic.
Make an bin that is at least 3 cubic feet. You, of course, have
the option to compost without a bin at all by just piling organic material
directly on the ground. The basic one bin system can be constructed
from free wooden
pallets, cinder blocks, metal or wooden posts, etc. You can "wrap"
your bin with chicken wire, snow fences, or lumber.
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Two Bin and Three Bin Systems:
This system consists two or three
adjacent bins. Each bin contains compost in various stages of
decomposition.
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Rotating or Tumbling Systems:
These for the most part are commercially
available. When everything is in order, your compost should be
done in about three weeks. you fill the container only partly full with
both greens and
moistened browns. The key to successful composting in a rotating
system is to not overfill the container. A half-full container tumbles
more easily.
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- Sheet or Trench Composting:
A alternative to pile the compost on the ground. With this system,
you bury the organic material in 8" deep trenches. The easy
part is that you bury it and forget about it. You just bury the
organic material, let it decompose for a few months and then plant in the
trench. My dad spread fallen leaves on his spent vegetable
garden and then turned them under with his little tractor.
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Further Composting Information Internet Links: |
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