This article is about how to build a compost bin. Building your own compost for your garden is a great idea, especially if you think at the benefits you will get, both for you and your family. Even if on the market there are a lot of fertilizers claiming to be organic, it is always better to do things by yourself, as you can control the process better. In oder to make organic compost, you need two things: to build a compost bin and to use leaves, grass and other organic wastes.
Building a compost bin out of wood is easy, especially if you have the right tools and materials for the job, and if you have proper plans. Remember that you have to use wood that haven’t been treated with toxic substances, otherwise the compost won’t be good for your vegetable garden. Therefore select with great care the materials, as to make sure they are proper for building a compost bin. Read the whole article if you want to know how to make a compost bin.
Make sure you align the components at both ends before inserting the galvanized screws, if you want to get a professional result. In addition, don’t forget to drill pilot holes before driving in the nails, to prevent the wood from splitting. If you want to have an easy access to the compost bin, you should build a sliding panel, on one side of the box. Place rails on the interior of the bin, to hold the sliding panel into place. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.
Made from this plan
In order to build a compost bin, you need the following:
Materials
- A – 8 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 31 1/2″ long CORNER SLATS
- B – 15 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 30″ long SLATS
- C – 5 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 30″ long, 2 pieces of – 31 1/2″ long PANEL
- D – 8 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 33″ long, 4 pieces of – 14″ long LID
Tools
- Level, carpentry pencil, l-square
- Hammer, measuring tape
- Circular saw / jigsaw
- Drill bits, clamps
- Screw driver with torque control
Tips
- Read safety and disclaimer pages
- Select with great care the lumber, otherwise your compost bin won’t be durable
- Before fastening the posts, make sure they are plumb
My best tips for building a compost bin:
Building a compost bin is a great way to recycle organic waste and create nutrient-rich compost for your garden. With a few simple materials, you can build a compost bin that’s efficient, functional, and tailored to your needs. Here are my best tips for building a compost bin at home.
1. Choose the Right Location
Start by picking a convenient location for your compost bin. Ideally, it should be in a shady spot with good drainage. You want it to be easy to access but not too close to your home, as composting can sometimes attract pests. Make sure the area has enough room for you to turn the compost and add materials.
2. Select Your Materials
You can build a compost bin from a variety of materials, including:
- Wood: Cedar or pressure-treated lumber works well since they resist rot.
- Wire mesh: Great for air circulation, but it needs sturdy posts for support.
- Pallets: An affordable, eco-friendly option that’s easy to assemble.
No matter what material you choose, make sure it’s durable and allows for airflow to keep your compost healthy.
3. Decide on the Size
The size of your compost bin depends on how much compost you plan to produce. A good size to start with is around 3 feet by 3 feet—large enough to handle a decent amount of organic waste but small enough to maintain. This size allows for the compost to heat up properly while still being manageable for turning.
4. Build a Three-Sided Structure
A simple three-sided bin with an open front allows easy access for turning and adding compost materials. For wood, use 2×4 boards to create the frame and attach slats or mesh to the sides. The open front can be closed off with a removable panel or hinged door to contain the compost.
5. Allow for Airflow
Airflow is essential for proper composting. Ensure there’s enough ventilation by leaving small gaps between wooden slats or using wire mesh for the sides. Compost needs oxygen to break down properly, so keeping air flowing through the bin is key to a successful compost pile.
6. Consider a Double or Triple Bin System
For more efficient composting, consider building a two- or three-bin system. This allows you to have separate piles at different stages of decomposition. You can add fresh materials to one bin, while another pile is actively decomposing, and a third is ready for use in your garden. This system keeps your composting process continuous and organized.
7. Make a Removable Lid
While not essential, adding a removable lid can help keep pests out and retain moisture in the compost. You can build a simple lid using a piece of plywood or wire mesh attached to hinges for easy access. It also helps prevent too much rain from soaking the compost and turning it soggy.
8. Keep the Bottom Open
For the best results, keep the bottom of the bin open to the ground. This allows worms and other beneficial organisms to enter the compost pile and help with the decomposition process. The open bottom also allows excess moisture to drain out naturally.
9. Maintain Your Compost Bin
Once your compost bin is built, maintaining it is easy:
- Layer your materials: Alternate between green materials (grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps) and brown materials (dry leaves, straw, paper).
- Turn the compost regularly: Aerate the pile by turning it with a pitchfork every couple of weeks to speed up decomposition.
- Keep it moist: Your compost should be about as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Add water if it gets too dry, but avoid overwatering.
Bonus Tip: Add a Bottom Hatch If you want easy access to finished compost, consider adding a bottom hatch to your bin. This allows you to pull out the fully decomposed compost from the bottom while the fresh material continues to decompose on top.
How to build a compost bin
Building a compost bin
Building compost bin walls
Cutting corner posts for compost bin
In order to build our compost bin, we have to cut 4 pieces 2×2 lumber at about 3’/1 m, as to use them as corner posts. Before cutting the lumber, make sure it is proper for using it in this project. Therefore we don’t recommend you to use treated wood, as usually in the process they use harmful substances for our health.
Building compost bin wall
Next, we have to start building the first wall of the compost box. You have to place the 2 posts on a level surface and to mark sure they are parallel. Then we have to add two wood boards at both ends of the posts.
Making sure the corners are right angled
Before we fasten the boards on the compost bin posts, we have to make sure the corners of the wall panels are right angled. In order to check this aspect you could use an l-square or another object with 90º corners (like a ceramic tile).
Fastening wood boards with nails
Afterwards, we have used 2” nails to fasten the wood boards on the compost bin posts. Make sure you drive in at least 2 nails on each end of every wood board, otherwise the compost bin won’t be rigid enough.
Using a spacer between wood boards
Remember that you should fasten boards at both ends of the compost bin wall, and only then you could fill the rest of the wall with wood boards.
Compost bin wall panel
After we have installed the wood boards, the compost bin wall looked as you can see in the image. Remember that you should use a spacer between the boards, as to install them evenly.
Bending nail ends
We have to continue building the compost bin, by bending the nail ends that got through the corner posts.
Consequently, we should use a hammer and hit at 45º the sharp ends of the nails, until we get the job done for the whole panel. Remember that you can avoid doing this, if you select with great attention the dimension of the nails.
Cutting wood boards
Next, we have to make sure there are no wood boards go over the corner posts. Nevertheless, there are cases in which not all boards come at the same length, so we have to use a jigsaw or a circular saw to fix this issue.
Building compost bin
Compost bin walls
In order to finish building a compost bin, we need 2 wall panel, which have to be make according to the techniques described previously. Make sure the panels have the same dimensions, the corners are right angled, the space between the wood boards are even and the wood boards are not rotten.
Building compost bin
Next we have to fasten the two wall panels with one board at each end. Make sure that you ask a friend to help you during this operation, as it is difficult to drive in the nails and in the same time to hold the wall panels into position.
Building compost bin
When installing the wooden board, we have to align it with the compost bin walls. Remember that this aspect is essential for your project, so pay attention when driving in the nails
Locking together the compost bin
Afterwards, twist the box on the opposite side and fasten another two boards, as you can easily see in the image.
Also drive in 3-4 nails at each end of all wooden boards, as to make sure the compost bin is locked firmly. Next, you have to continue the process by installing the other wood boards, using the same spacer between the boards, until you finish the compost bin.
Making a compost bin
Continue fastening wood boards, until you finish building the compost bin. After you check that the walls are locked properly and that the compost bin is set firmly into position you can move it to a proper place. Now, we hope you have learned how to make your own compost bin.
How to build a compost bin
Last but not least, you should take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, check if all the screws are inserted properly and if the components are locked together tightly. Fill the holes with wood filler and smooth the surface with medium-grit sandpaper.
By following these tips, you can build a compost bin that fits your needs and helps you turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich, valuable compost for your garden. It’s a simple DIY project that will reward you and your plants for years to come.
Thank you for reading our article on how to build a compost bin and we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects. If you enjoyed our article, like us on Facebook or tweet the project to your friends.
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