Make My Own Compost Bin

bristol_rob

Any tips on what I need to do to make my own compost bin?

I have been told to use pallets and screw them together. How does that work though? Load sof gaps

Artytarty

Oh Rob,thats what I have just made but w used abit of old trellis too.
Have you looked at the Rats in compost heap thread before you begin?!

Ours was quite easy to do,levelled off the ground, drove in some wooden stakes at the corners and screwed the trellis panels to that. we built two, side by side with an old pallett as a divider. you can then "gate" another pallett across the front to make ahinged access door using bull wire.All a bit Heath Rbinson but looks ok and practically free to make.There are instructions o te net if you google pallets and compost bin together.
Other posters talk of lining the whole thing with strong wire mesh to keep r*ts out.
The gaps can be lined with old newspaper or carboard but I dont think the stuff will fall out. It should be moist and neds air anyhow. let us know what you decide to do!
Arty.

harib0uk

Artytarty wrote: »

Oh Rob,thats what I have just made but w used abit of old trellis too.
Have you looked at the Rats in compost heap thread before you begin?!

Ours was quite easy to do,levelled off the ground, drove in some wooden stakes at the corners and screwed the trellis panels to that. we built two, side by side with an old pallett as a divider. you can then "gate" another pallett across the front to make ahinged access door using bull wire.All a bit Heath Rbinson but looks ok and practically free to make.There are instructions o te net if you google pallets and compost bin together.
Other posters talk of lining the whole thing with strong wire mesh to keep r*ts out.
The gaps can be lined with old newspaper or carboard but I dont think the stuff will fall out. It should be moist and neds air anyhow. let us know what you decide to do!
Arty.

Would love to see some pictures of home made compost bins. I'm looking to do this as well. But not so sure on the gate aspect so some pictures would help the visualization!

bristol_rob

Didn't even think of gate access, good point

Artytarty

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/compost-bin/

Try this!
Arty.

Top_Banana_2

My compst bin (is this soil useful once dug over, or should I just scrap it?)

Artytarty

If this is what you were left with after everything you put in was broken down then it should be great when forked over. put it round shrubs in beds etc, veg patch if you have one.
The goodness it holds will depend on the variety of stuff you put in of course.It looks fine enough though.
Arty

patman99

You'll soon know if your compost heap is working well. When you stir it up you will find worms, millipedes and even ants have moved-in. These all help to break down the contents.
Personally (and because I won one in a council-run comp.) I use a plastic bin, when its full, I leave it for a couple of months, the sieve the contents to get the fine compost for potting, and the big lumps go straight back into the (re-possitioned) bin.

Don't forget to put 'browns' (paper, cardboard, etc. in along with the 'greens', as this helps to ph balance the compost.

Others things you can compost include -
Hair
Contents of Hoover Bag
Tea bags
Coffee grinds.

Try a wormery as well, much harder to get going, but great fun.

wallbash

Sorry but ....wot a mess:eek:
Might be ok if you can hide your compost away, but mine is in full view from house or any where in garden .

And I know this is a money saving site, but I built mine out of decking boards,
not cheap but a wonderful creation :rotfl:

Not many [strike]idiots[/strike] gardeners use a spirit level on a compost bin

harib0uk

wallbash wrote: »

And I know this is a money saving site, but I built mine out of decking boards, not cheap but a wonderful creation :rotfl:

Would to see some pictures please!

Patches41048

I used this site to build mine out of the wood from stripped down pallets.

http://www.the-gardeners-calendar.co.uk/Features/Compost_Heap/DIYCompostBin.asp

Its on its third year and only cost me the time to make it as i used some old screws i had knocking around the place.

Its not too big and doubles up as table when im potting on in the garden, i will try and sort some pictures