DIY Compost Bin: How to Make One at Home

DIY Compost Bin: How to Make One at Home - Transform your organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer with this easy guide to building your own compost bin.

Looking to make your garden thrive or cut waste? Composting at home is simple and cost-effective for anyone.¹ You can start for free using things you have around your house. We’ll guide you through creating your DIY compost bin in no time.

There are advanced ways to compost, like the pallet container we later made. But starting with a basic approach is smart for beginners like us. You need a plastic bin, to drill holes, and some soil. Then, you just add your food scraps and keep the mix moist. Easy, right?¹

Key Takeaways

Composting is an easy and budget-friendly way to reduce household waste and create nutrient-rich soil amendment.
A simple DIY compost bin can be made using a plastic storage bin, a drill, and a few other basic supplies.
The composting process involves layering “browns” (dry materials) and “greens” (food scraps) to provide a balanced decomposition.
Proper airflow and moisture maintenance are key to successful composting at home.
Finished compost can be used to enrich garden beds, potting soil, and lawns, offering a sustainable solution for soil improvement.

Benefits of Composting at Home

Composting at home lets you make soil that’s great for your garden. The process turns kitchen scraps into a dark, earthy-smelling material. It’s full of good stuff like microorganisms and nutrients, which plants love.²

Create Nutrient-Rich Soil Amendment

Home composting improves soil. It helps keep moisture, stops plant diseases, and controls pests. That’s all great for plant growth.² Composting also makes humus. This is very nutritious for the soil and helps keep it healthy.²

Reduce Household Waste

Composting stops a lot of kitchen waste from filling up landfills. This is good for the environment. It’s a step towards living more sustainably.²³ It also cuts down on methane gas, which is a big eco-win.²

Kitchen leftovers and yard clippings take up a big chunk of trash. So, composting has a big impact.² It turns out over 28% of household waste comes from these kinds of leftovers. So, composting really helps.³

Using less chemical fertilizer is another plus of composting. It can even save you money. The time it takes to get ready-to-use compost varies. It can be from a few weeks to a couple of years, depending on how you do it.² Inside composting can be really quick, ready in a few weeks. This is perfect for people without much space outside.²

Materials Needed for a DIY Compost Bin

Creating a DIY compost bin is simple with some basic stuff. Aim for a 30 to 40-gallon size, as said in the guide.⁴ You can start with a lidded outdoor trash can.⁴ All you need are three items: the trash can, a power drill, and a paddle drill bit.⁴

Plastic Storage Bin

Look for a 24-inch-tall plastic bin with a secure lid. Choose a 30-gallon size for this project. We opted for a bin in a neutral color. Yet, a dark bin might suit your yard better.

Drill and Drill Bits

Drill 8 to 10 small holes in the container’s bottom for air. Your compost needs oxygen to break down.⁴ A 3/16″ drill bit is perfect for this. Do the same for the lid.⁴ Drill rows of holes on all sides, starting a few inches below the lid. Space them about three inches apart.⁴

Aluminum Screen or Hardware Cloth

Cut 4-5 inch squares from screen fabric to put over the holes. Attach them on the inside with silicone or epoxy. This keeps pests out while letting air move in.

Silicone Caulk or Epoxy Adhesive

Use silicone caulk or epoxy to hold the screen over the holes. This step stops pests but allows the compost to breathe properly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Look for a plastic bin with a lid, around 24 inches tall. This lid helps to keep the soil damp and bugs out.⁴ We found a 30-gallon size that fits our need. It’s best if the color blends with your yard. But, a darker bin might suit you better.

Drill Ventilation Holes

For airflow, drill 8 to 10 small holes in the bottom. This oxygen is vital for composting.⁴ Make these holes with a 3/16″ drill bit. Do the same for the lid. This helps air circulate well.

Add Drainage and Base Layer

Put some dry leaves at the bin’s bottom, around 1/8 to 1/4 full.⁴ You’ll add layers with brown materials like dead leaves and greens like food waste after. This begins your compost base. Then, add dirt or newspaper layers until the bin is half full.

How to Make a Compost Bin at Home

Layering Compostable Materials

Let’s start with the “greens!” Add food scraps and paper items for composting. This includes fruit and veggie peels, coffee grounds, and more.⁴

Maintaining Moisture and Air Flow

After adding, give the mix a light stir. Cover the scraps with dirt. Then, lightly spray with warm water, not too much.

Overwatering leads to bad smells. Keep the bin in a shady spot for the right balance of moisture and air.⁴

Compost Bin Alternatives

A simple plastic storage bin is a great start for a DIY compost bin. But, there’s much more gardeners can do that’s both creative and budget-friendly. Many gardeners choose to use free pallets for this purpose.⁵ They add a nice touch to the look, help keep the compost together, and are simple to set up. With pallet bins, it’s easy for good organisms to move through the compost.

Another option is making compost bins from chicken wire. These are quick and cheap to make. They work well for collecting grass clippings, leaves, and yard waste.⁶ Such wire bins can hold extra garden waste and are also good for cold composting, but not ideal for hot composting.

For those with limited space, turning a garbage can into a compost bin is a smart idea. It’s perfect for yards, porches, or small corners.⁶ This approach keeps everything enclosed. As a result, it’s easier to manage the moisture and heat. This makes it suitable for both hot and cold composting.

Troubleshooting Common Composting Issues

Home composting often runs into the issue of bad smells. If you notice a bad odor, it’s probably because there’s too much water or the mix isn’t getting enough air. You can fix this by adding “brown” items like dry leaves. Also, stir the compost more often. This will improve air flow and water balance in your pile.⁷

Pests and Critters

Keeping pests away from your compost bin is important. Ensure the lid is snug and cover food scrap layers with soil.⁷ Using a hardware cloth or screen on the ventilation holes can also help. It stops unwanted animals from getting in.⁷

Using Finished Compost in Your Garden

When your compost is fully broken down, use it to improve your garden.¹ It enriches the soil with nutrients, supports better water retention, and increases fertility for healthier plants.

Soil Amendment

Finished compost is great for indoor and patio plants too. It can be mixed with potting soil to boost organic matter and nutrients for your plants.

Potting Mix

Add a thin layer of compost to your lawn for natural fertilizer. It also helps the soil stay healthy, leading to beautiful grass.

Lawn Conditioner

¹ Save about 1/3 of your compost for future use. Also, think about having more than one compost bin to keep the process going all the time.

Compost Bin Characteristics	Recommended Specification
Bin Size	¹ You can make a DIY compost bin from a 30-gallon plastic bin. It’s a good size for home composting.
Ventilation Holes	¹ The tutorial suggests making 8 – 10 holes in the bin with a 3/16″ drill bit. This allows for good airflow.
Base Layer	¹ Start your bin with 1/8 – 1/4 full of dry leaves as the base.
Composting Materials	¹ Composting needs a mix of “browns” (like leaves) and “greens” (like food). A 30:1 ratio of carbon to nitrogen works best.
Compostable Items	¹ You can compost fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and yard waste.⁸ Greens also include grass clippings and coffee grounds.⁹ Other compostable items are fruits, veggies, eggshells, coffee, grass, leaves, paper, and used potting soil.
Composting Timeline	¹ Composting might take from a few months to a year. This depends on the bin size and compost materials.
Finished Compost Characteristics	¹ Signs of ready compost include a breakdown of materials, no heat, and a dark look.⁹ Good compost smells like earth and is dark and crumbly.
Compost Uses	¹ Use it as mulch, soil, or conditioner. It’s a great way to enhance your garden without spending much.

Composting for Beginners: Tips and Tricks

Starting a compost bin is simpler than it looks. It involves choosing the right bin, adding the right materials, and keeping it wet and airy. Follow these steps and soon you’ll have nutrient-rich compost for your garden.

First, you should aim for a mix of 4 parts dry materials to 1 part wet. This blend is needed for the compost to break down properly. Also, make sure the compost bin gets good air, as this helps the materials break down.¹⁰

It’s important to keep your compost damp but not too wet. Dry compost slows the process, and wet compost smells bad. When your compost is at the right moisture level, it can also help with managing excess water.¹⁰

If you’re looking for an easy way, try cold composting. This way, your compost will be ready in a year with very little work on your part. Or, you can try vermicomposting with earthworms, which is fun and great for the environment.¹⁰

For those who like to be more involved, hot composting is a great choice. It involves closely watching the kind of materials you use and the temperature. Your compost will be ready in just a few months.¹⁰

Whichever method you choose, start small and stay patient. Troubleshoot any problems you face. With time, you’ll be making great compost to enrich your garden and live more sustainably.

Conclusion

Composting at home doesn’t just help the planet, but it’s also easy and rewarding. It cuts down on the waste you make, making a big difference.¹¹ You will toss out less trash, leading to an 80% drop in the bags you throw away each year.

The stuff we throw away like food scraps and yard waste add up in landfills. This creates harmful gases that cause global warming. By composting, you play a part in fighting climate change.¹²

To get started, pick the right compost bin. A simple, low-cost 30-gallon plastic storage bin at only $2.99 will do.¹¹ With some basic steps and advice from this guide, you can begin composting yourself. You’ll soon enjoy the benefits in your garden.

In as fast as two months, by spending just an hour a week, you could have made 90 gallons of compost. And all this at a cost of just $6.¹¹

For proper composting, you need to balance the “brown” like dried leaves and “green” materials such as food scraps.¹² Doing this right means you’ll soon have your own nourishing compost. It’s great for making your soil better and feeding all your plants, inside and out.¹¹¹²

FAQ

What materials are needed to build a DIY compost bin?

You’ll need a plastic storage bin that seals tightly, a drill and bits, and some aluminum screen or hardware cloth. Also, grab some silicone caulk or epoxy adhesive.

How do I prepare the bin for composting?

Begin by drilling small holes on the bin’s bottom for air, then do the same for the lid. Cover these holes with screen or cloth, sealed with silicone or epoxy, to keep bugs out.

What is the process for layering compostable materials?

First, create a layer with dry leaves or newspaper. Then, put in a layer of dirt. After that, start adding “green” stuff like food scraps and lawn clippings.

Keep piling on brown and green layers, remember to mix it up sometimes. Make sure the mix is damp, not too wet.

How do I maintain the proper moisture and airflow in my compost bin?

Check the moisture often and add water if needed. Stir the compost every now and then to let in air. This stops smells by improving the oxygen flow.

What are some alternatives to a basic plastic storage bin compost setup?

Try wooden pallet bins, wire fence bins, or tumbler-style composting. Each one has its own pros, like how they look, cost, and simplicity.

How do I troubleshoot issues like unpleasant odors or pests in my compost bin?

To fix bad smells, mix in more dry leaves or other “brown” items. Keep pests away by sealing the lid tight. Also, cover food scraps with a bit of soil or compost.

How can I use the finished compost in my garden?

Use your compost to boost garden soil, or in pots and houseplants. It’s also great for feeding your lawn. Finished compost is a versatile, natural fertilizer.