The Best DIY Compost Bin And How To Make Them

Creating A DIY Compost Bin In Your Convenience

One of the beauties of composting is making your compost bin yourself, hence DIY compost bin. This saves the cost of having to purchase from the store. Composting is an eco-friendly method to convert your waste into a useful harmless product rather than throwing your bin into a trash can.

You can decide on your choice of the container, the size, the number of compartments, the materials you want to use for the construction, and other specifications. The farmer can easily recycle wastes in your backyard; you can make or construct your compost bin using simple, inexpensive materials. You can do it yourself(DIY COMPOST BIN).

Things To Bear In Mind When Planning A Diy Compost Bin

Self-constructed compost bins can be a great plus to your garden while undergoing composting processes. Although various compost bin designs are available, they vary in different ways and share similar features.

Before you plan out your compost bin designs, you should picture the preferable kind of design. You can also decide which type of material to use in building your compost bin. For example, it could be wooden materials, wire mesh, plastic, or metal.

What Is A Diy Compost Bin? 

A DIY (Do It Yourself) compost bin is simply a compost bin that you construct yourself using your preferred materials rather than purchasing from a physical store or online.

Factors To Consider

• Number Of Compartments

You could build bins that have two or three compartments rather than creating one container. Having more than one compartment helps to separate compost according to its stages of decomposition. When one container becomes full of materials, you can quickly move on to the next one and continue the composting process.

The contents of the first bin will decompose and reduce in mass; when the compost matures, it is then moved to another compartment. The farmer can now add new ingredients to the first bin to start the process all over again. 

Many methods of composting require mixing the materials in a bin by turning regularly. 

• Type Of Bin

There are different types of compost bin designs. Suppose you live in an area where rodents can get access to your wastes. You could use enclosed systems that make it difficult for them, such as tumblers. A bin doesn’t have to cost too much.

• Bin Capacity

Your bin should be large enough to contain the kitchen waste you want to compost. In addition, your container should be large enough to give room for turning the compost. If there is more than one compartment, it should be large enough to contain your waste. A fuller bin takes more effort to turn. 

• Aeration And Drainage

Your bin should have adequate aeration and some drainage holes. Most systems are placed vertically with larger drainage holes at the bottom of the bin and smaller air holes by the sides and at the top. 

The Various Bins Are:

1. Compost Pen

Compost pens are less expensive and easier to assemble than other compost bins. Pens are great for composting over garden beds that haven’t been cultivated. The composter can easily move them to a new location after the compost finishes. Use coating products that do not rust easily. They are easy to assemble and adjust.

2. Stationary Compost Bins

Wooden bins with double compartments are among the popularly used composters. Stationary rectangular bins with two or three compartments can hold compost at multiple stages of composting and serve as storage for additional materials such as twigs, wood chips, or dry leaves. 

3. Compost Tumblers

A compost tumbler is a type of bin designed to spin or rotate. They provide the most control over moisture levels and protection from rodents or pests. Mainly made of plastic. Rolling them helps to mix the contents.

4. Worm Bins

Worms bins are made with plastic. Worms feed and eat through the yard and kitchen wastes; they grind food particles in their gizzard and pass them out as compost material.

5. Wooden Bin

Rot-resistant lumber is used to set up a wooden bin, and the organisms can deteriorate low-quality wood in a pile. Avoid using treated wood as this can leach toxins into your stack.

6. Wire Mesh

Wire mesh is less expensive than wooden materials, and it tends to last longer than some untreated woods. In addition, vinyl-coated and galvanized steel products are ideal for wire mesh because they’ll resist rust longer than others. 

How To Make A Simple Diy Compost Bin

Making a compost bin is quite simple; you do not need expertise or special skills.

Materials/Equipment

• Plastic bin or trash can with cover
• Drill
• Water
• Pitchfork
• Compostable materials 

Step By Step Procedure

1. Prepare the bin

If you plan to use an old bin or trash can, it should be thoroughly washed and rinsed. If you are using a new bin, you could remove any tags or dirt.

2. Drill Holes Around the bin

You can use a drill to make holes around your bin. Starting a few inches from the lid cover, Space the holes a few inches from each other. Keep drilling until you have a couple of holes. Repeat on all sides.

3. Find a location for your bin

The Gardener should place the bin in a shady area or an area with little sunlight. Avoid putting it directly under the sun to prevent your compost from drying out.

4. Start putting in your food scraps

You can start putting your kitchen and garden waste and yard waste in your bin, gather materials such as vegetables, fruit peels, dry leaves, coffee grounds, etc.

Avoid putting meat, fish, or dairy products such as milk and cheese, chemical and pesticide-treated plants, and diseased plants.

5. Turn your compost pile

The materials in your bin should be monitored and turned regularly to permit airflow, mix the ingredients, and break up particles.

The Advantages Of Having A Diy Compost Bin

• It saves cost 
• You can make a compost bin that suits your specifications

To sum it up, the Gardener can get a DIY bin using simple steps rather than buying from the store. Once the contents are monitored properly, you should have your compost done within weeks. Soil productivity can be greatly improved using finished compost. Water retention and drainage are also added. You can use different materials to make your DIY bin based on preference. It could be plastic, wooden, or metallic. You can make a bin with different compartments to store more items.