Simple Compost bin

Very nice work, like how it fits together. I have been using recycled pallets and wire fence/t-posts for my compost bins; this design is loads better! What type of wood did you use and how do you plan to seal it?

-- -=Den

I used simple pine. I just gave it a coat of danish oil for its finish. It won’t make it last forever, but by the time it starts breaking down, I can just break the boards up a little more and throw that into the bin to break down fully and make a new one in its place.

I definitely chose to not use pressure treated lumber, which would last a lot longer, because I didn’t want any chemicals leeching into the compost—some of which may be applied to a vegetable garden.

What all CAN you put into one of these? I have a friend, a naturalist, who puts all sorts of things into hers. It does, however, end up stinking REALLY badly. Aside from put it farther away from your house (I’m not sure you would get it far enough with certain contents) what can you do to make something like this airtight?

-- Brady Gaster, Indian Trail NC

nice job…I like this simple desigfn…I think I want to make one from recyled pallets…so wont last forever…but then re-used materials…

thats what I like about your idea…wont last forever…but will improve garden for as long as possible…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

You don’t want it airtight bradgygaster – as the bacteria that make it compost need oxygen. (Which is one of the reasons what you stir your pile every now-and-again.)

-- Derek, Bremerton WA --

bradygaster …. things to avoid are meats and meat by products and animal waste from meat eating animals including house pets. Good compost is very low odor and not perticularly offensive. Experts suggest that a pile that stinks should be torn apart and not used, has to do with the type a bacteria that breaks down these undiserable products…for more any better information I reccomend you public library or see our sister garden site.

BJ very nice composter..I generally just have piles but then mine aren’t in the yard either.

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

I think the compost needs to be “turned” frequently and lots of dry materials added to create a well-balanced “non-stinking” compost pile.

This is a great piece.
You should post it over at GardenTenders.com

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

A compost pile that is “working” shouldn’t have a smell. Once things start decaying—and the pile should get warm, it’ll be breaking things down and the heat generated from it ensure this happens quickly. If its smelling, the typical solution is to add some “brown” matter—plain ol’ dirt, dried up leaves, etc. Mixing a pile sometimes helps ensure the mixture is properly distributed—you don’t have too much green material in one location and brown in another.

Like RTB said, don’t put meat products, animal waste, or the like. It’ll attract rodents, raccoons and other animals that will cause problems. It also doesn’t add anything good for the compost.

Thanks for al lthe nice comments everyone!

Like the rest say a good compost will not stink…it needs water and air frequently. It needs to be turned every other day the more it gets turned the faster everything breaks down. A dry compost will not work.

You can put any veggie left over parts in there…no butter, fat, salad dressings. Only raw things or left over veggies that were steamed, nothing with olive oil or anything fatty. These will not break down like the rest does and it will also attract unwanted guests.

I have had mine for over a yr now and it is really cool. I did use pressure treated wood the folks at Loews says that they don’t use arsenic anymore and it is ok…cedar was just too much for the wallet.

-- Measure twice, cut once then go get more wood