Last year for our outside compost we just used some fence, that we put into a circle to make a cylinder. It was about 3 feet tall about 2 feet in diameter. I worked just fine for us–but I came across a different compost system that I wanted to use this year.
We had the wood for it already so our cost was minimal. Even if would have had to go buy wood, it still comes out cheaper than buying a composter, which can be in the hundreds of dollars.
Here is what you need:
- (3) 4×4 pieces of wood (one for each side, and then one as the topper)
- (2) Food Safe Barrels. Most of the time, you can get these from soda supply companies, or warehouses. You want them to be dark colored though, so that they keep in heat. (we paid $15/barrel)
- Metal piping (We already had this)
- Hinges for your barrels (bought at Walmart for a couple dollars a piece)
- some form of latching mechanism to keep the “door” closed on your barrels. (bought these at WalMart as well. I think they were a couple dollars as well)
- Drill with paddle bit.
**First off, here is my disclaimer: I just told my husband what I was going for, and I supervised the process. I’m not very savvy with any form of power tool, or wood material, or it’s terminology. Please forgive me!! If you have any specific questions, I will have my husband answer them for you.**
- We found where we wanted the composter to be, and set the two outer posts. Make sure that when doing this that you leave enough room for the barrel to fit in between with a little room on the sides.
- Mark on the post where you want your barrels to be, so that you know where to drill your holes. Again, be sure that you leave ample room between the 2 barrels for them to rotate.
- Using a paddle bit (we used a 1 1/2 inch, but this will depend on how big your poles are) drill holes on each end of the barrel in the center, as well as on the 2 side posts.
- Put your pole through the hole, put on the barrel and guide through the second side post. Do this to both barrels.
- Put on the topper post for a finished look and to help stabilize. Voila!
Now–I need you to use your imagination a bit. We do not have our topper post on, and I snapped the picture yesterday, before DH added our second barrel. So without further ado, here is our new composter:
We still use this to help tame the kitchen scraps, and when it is full, we dump it in our new composter.
I’ve been reading as much as I can about compost the last few weeks so that I can learn everything I can about it. I would love to put as much as I can in here instead of just chucking it in the trash! Compost really helps a garden out, and why not recycle as much as you can back into your garden.
As soon as I get my mind full with composty knowledge, I will pass it all on to you.
In the meantime, if you have some knowledge that you would like to share, feel free to leave it in the comments or shoot me an email.
I must say, I’m so glad that we got this project tackled. Making our own compost and our own compost bins definitely works for me! Now, to get those tomato plants transplanted to bigger pots!
I was told once they got their second set of leaves, they needed to be re-potted. Plus, I’ve got some more seeds to start, so I need this flat.
This post is linked to Tackle It Tuesday and Works for Me Wednesday.
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What a great compost bin! Ours is one that was purchased years and years ago, and it suits its purpose, but it’s really not very “handy” (the removal hole at the bottom is too small, and it really doesn’t hold enough..). I think *my* mister could put one of these together, and Lord knows we have enough ‘scrap’ material around here!!
Great tackle…and, just in time for gardening weather, too!
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Great idea. I have never tried to compost. But I have such a small yard I would not know how.
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You would think, as much as we like to be frugal, that we would have a vegetable garden, but we don’t. We don’t have a compost pile either. I do have a huge flower garden, however I can’t eat them!
This is pretty cool. Kudos to hubby!
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Cool composter! And how exciting to see the little tomatoes!!!
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We have a compost “pile” I should call it right now. I was looking at bins last year and was considering doing what you’ve done.. couldn’t get my hands on a barrel cheaper than the cost of a premade barrel composter… ouch! So.. for now we still have a pile for composting.
I did do some research on worm composting and have a worm bin that is fun. My little guy loves to see the worms when I feed them. If you don’t mind worms, you might check them out too… wouldn’t work in your bin (gets too hot). Make sure you get the right worms too.. Eisenia foetida
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There is something so gratifying about doing things like this for yourself. Building a compost dealio is a bit ambitious for me, but I have been seriously considering buying one. Your idea seems straightforward enough though.
Thanks!
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Suz-
We have been thinking seriously about getting us a worm set up. I’ve been reading all I can about them. Plus we have a stocked pond that we all love to fish in–how handy to know where to find the worms!
We had a compost pile, too! Hey, whatever works, right? I can’t believe you couldn’t find a barrel cheaper than that–double ouch!
Jubilee-
This composter went up in about 30 minutes from start to finish (minus the unexpected rain delay of adding barrel #2). But I totally understand just wanting to buy one!
Good luck in your composting adventures!
TogetherWeSave-
Composting is relatively easy! Save your kitchen scraps, your grass clippings, leaves, sticks–throw ‘em in a pile/bin. Let the heat do most of the work for you–slowly it will all begin to break down and turn into compost. So full of nutrients for your garden. Flip it a couple times to make sure it is all getting mixed together and what have you.
If you have any questions–feel free to email me! phendricks @ centurytel.net
Thank you, ladies!
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I read that adding dog food and ashes to your compost help it to break down plus put extra nutrients into the compost for your plants. We made our compost “bin” out of some cinder blocks I got for basically free, if you don’t count the two hour drive time.
I just stacked the blocks to make 3 sides, 4 blocks high and 5 blocks long for each side. My mom, who is the compost/garden queen and lives with me in the summer, put a board down the middle of our bin so we have a fresh side and an almost done side at all times. Our neighbors are kind enough to bring over their grass clippings to add to our pile so those go on the fresh side and once they start to break down get flipped to the almost done side and it worked great last summer.
One question I have for your barrels, do you have to add water or is there some way for rain water to get into the barrels to keep the moisture level up?
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Shinny-
Your compost system sounds awesome! Got to love the price, too!
Great question about the barrels-
Hubby cut out doors on them, and those aren’t sealed all of the way. Hopefully rain water can get in that way. Since we just started using them, I’m not sure how the moisture level will be with just these holes. Hopefully I won’t have to water it–but only time will tell.
Thank you for stopping by!
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