When deciding to get into composting, you have to choose the type of compost method you'd like to use. Some people use a freestanding compost pile, while others dig a composting trench. Another option is the compost bin, an enclosed space in which to hold the compost. Compost bins are available for purchase from home and garden stores, but you can also build one yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Wire Post Bin
To make a wire post bin, bend back 3 to 4 inches on each end of 10 feet of chicken wire to leave a clean, non-snagging edge. Cut a heavier wire into strips to use as ties. Take your chicken wire and tie the ends of it together to form a circle. Once the ends are tied off, take three or four metal posts and position them inside the circle to add support to the chicken wire. After they've been spaced out evenly, tie the posts to the chicken wire with more metal ties, then take a hammer and pound the posts into the ground.
Snow-Fence Bin
Pound 4 wooden posts into the ground in the shape of a 3-foot square. Cut heavy wire into strips to use as ties, then tie the snow-fencing to the posts so that the posts are inside of the fencing. You will need 13 feet of snow-fencing to cover the area. Use pliers to bend the wire, if necessary. Tie the ends of the fence together with more heavy wire.
Lattice Bin
Mark four corners of a three-foot square. Take your shovel and dig out a 1 foot deep hole for each of the four corners, in which you'll place one of four 5-foot-long two-by-fours so that they are standing upright. Fill the holes with dirt again and make sure the posts are secure. Nail three 4-by-4- foot lattice pieces to the two-by-fours, except for one side that you will leave open as a gate. Take two clothesline hooks and attach them to the two pieces of wood where the gate will go. Secure them in place with nuts. Attach a fourth lattice piece to your bin to make sure everything is secure.
Worm Composting Bin
Cut some plywood pieces so that you have two 24-by-42-inch pieces for the top and bottom, two 16-by-24-inch ends, and two 16-by-42-inch sides. You will also need four 1-foot-long pieces of two-by-four, two 45-inch pieces, two 23-inch pieces, two 39-inch pieces, and three 20-inch pieces. Nail the pieces cut from the plywood together in a rectangular shape using two 16d nails at each joint. You should be nailing together the 24-by-42-inch base, the two sides, and two end pieces, leaving the top aside. When you are nailing the base, use the 6d nails every 3 inches for reinforcement. Drill 12 ½-inch holes in the base for proper drainage.
Attach your pieces of 45-inch and 20-inch two-by-fours to the remaining piece of plywood to make the lid. Nail the 2-by-4-inch pieces on the plywood so that the broad side is directly against the plywood. Attach the lid to the bin base with the hinges. Finish the bin with varnish to make it last longer.
Tags: chicken wire, four corners, heavy wire, into ground, into strips, into strips ties, make sure