Composting is a fantastic way to turn your kitchen and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden, but setting up an effective compost bin system can be a challenge. In this blog post, I’ll explore practical tips for using your compost bins efficiently, including problem-solving strategies so you can make compost faster, reduce pest problems, and maximize your space. I’ll also share the mistakes I’ve made with my own compost bins, so you can benefit from my hard-earned wisdom.
Whether you’re a seasoned composter or just starting out, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to create a thriving compost system in your own backyard. Because, as I always say, “Compost is the all purpose answer to everything, and if you have enough of it, you won’t need much of anything else!”
The 7 Benefits of Compost Bins
- Efficient use of space
Did you know that there is a minimum size your compost bin needs to be in order to truly get hot, finished compost fast? My compost bin set-up allows for maximum composting and organization, while minimizing the size it takes up in your yard. It’s a fantastic way to maximize our small yard and garden.
- Speeds up decomposition
The enclosed bin design helps maintain the optimal moisture and air levels required to break down the organic matter. This controlled environment accelerates the composting process compared to an open pile, which can take years to decompose. - Minimizes pests and rodents
A neglected or underutilized compost heap might attract pests or worse – RATS! Using this DIY compost bin set-up, and turning your compost regularly to show a presence, will ensure that your compost is contained, hot, and healthy! - Regulates moisture and air
Two big pieces of the compost equation are water and air, which makes up roughly 50 percent of ideal soil composition. By building enclosed compost bins outdoors, you’ll have an easier time regulating these two important components. One more tip: Keeping your compost setup easy to reach helps you stay on top of it, speeding up the process and getting nutrient-rich compost into your garden faster.” - Easier to turn the compost
Turning your compost regularly is the key to hot composting that breaks down fast. By making your compost in a large container, makes it easier to dig in and turn the pile with a pitchfork. - Keeps materials tidy and contained
Compost heaps can spill out and take up a lot of unnecessary space, leading to unnecessary waste, and making a mess. Keeping your scraps, organic materials, and all that’s required for making healthy compost not only looks tidier (your neighbors will thank you), but also makes composting easier to manage. - Looks nicer than a loose pile
Our compost bin set up is not just functional – it’s designed to keep our friends, family, and neighbors happy. Besides, neat, tidy compost bins keep pests out and the mess in!
Building Your Own Compost Bins Outdoors
Before we get to the step-by-step instructions, let’s take a moment to review some key points that I’ve learned in my nearly 40 years of making compost.
- Start small and expand later:
This allows you to get started with composting without feeling overwhelmed, and you can improve your setup over time as you gain more experience, and have more materials to compost.
- Choosing the right materials (untreated wood is best):
While plastic containers can work just fine, wood holds up better outdoors and especially in varying weather conditions. Wood bins should last several years, and pieces can be easily replaced as they deteriorate. Being a natural material, wood just blends in better to its surroundings and is naturally insulating.
- Bin size and design (3x3x3 feet or 1 cubic yard is the minimum):
For this reason, I do not recommend small backyard composters or tumblers. They just aren’t big enough, which means your compost won’t get hot enough. Remember, hot compost is essential to kill weed seeds and pathogens, and to have useable compost just 6 weeks!
- Wooden dividers over screens
We originally built our bins with hardware screen dividers, following plans from other experts. While this certainly made a lot of sense to improve air circulation, I ran into a problem: my pitchfork tines kept jamming in the holes when I tried turning the compost.
The solution? I covered the screens with scrap plywood! You might be wondering about air circulation, but since I turn my compost frequently, it’s never an issue.
Outdoor compost bin plans
- Use untreated wood to build 3 bins that each measure 3x3x3 feet.
- Line the inside of each bin with plywood panels. This makes turning and scraping down the compost much easier.
- Add horizontal boards that can slide up and down in vertical slots on the sides of the bins. This setup makes it easier to add materials to active compost and remove finished compost.
- Cover each active compost pile with a lid, such as plywood, insulation foam, or a piece of carpet. This helps retain moisture and heat.
Optional: - Cover the working area above the bins with a sturdy material such as polycarbonate to protect the compost from wind and rain and provide a dry place to make compost.
- Add shelving above the bins to store gardening supplies like nursery pots, seed trays and compost tools.
Protip: Consider adding a compost thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the piles!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really possible to get finished compost in just 6 weeks?
Yes! These DIY compost bins are an important part of how to do this. My method on how to make compost will show you step by step how to use the compost bins after you’ve built them!
Can I make compost in a tumbler or other backyard composter?
While you can make compost in a tumbler, a backyard composter, or even in a heap on the ground, I don’t recommend it. That’s because it will take an average of 5 years for you to get finished compost from it. With my method, you can get hot, finished compost much faster!
