Build Compost Bin Yourself: Easy DIY Plans

Simple homemade wooden compost bin.

Free plans to build compost bin; make your own compost bin using our free simple compost bin design.

Composting requires air, warmth, and moisture.

Keep the compost moist by watering in dry weather or the materials will stop decomposing.

Enclosed bins retain the heat which speeds up decomposition.

Building your own compost bin is one of the most practical and economical things you can do for your vegetable garden soil — a simple structure made from wire, pallets, or lumber costs almost nothing and will produce years of rich compost for your garden.

This page is part of our Soil, Fertilizer and Composting hub, where you will find complete guides to compost bin designs, tumbler options, composting methods, fertilizing, and all the practices that build excellent vegetable garden soil over time.

Soil, Fertilizer and Composting — complete hub for building rich vegetable garden soil through composting, fertilizing, mulching, and manure

Homemade wire compost bin.

The best time to build a compost bin is before you need it — not after a season's worth of kitchen scraps and garden waste has nowhere to go.

A simple compost bin built from four wooden pallets wired together at the corners costs almost nothing and can be assembled in an afternoon.

Wire mesh bent into a cylinder and secured with a few clips is even faster.

Whatever design you choose, build your compost bin in a spot that is convenient to reach from the kitchen and the garden, has good drainage underneath, and receives at least partial sun to help the pile heat up and decompose efficiently.

Simple DIY Homemade Compost Bin Plans

This is another easy DIY compost bin plan. Click on the image to download.

• An inexpensive way to build compost bin is to remove the bottom from a plastic garbage can and pierce holes in the sides.

• Another simple idea is to wrap wire mesh around four posts to hold the compost.

• A wire cage compost bin keeps material well-aired but may need insulation. Wrap landscape fabric, plastic, cardboard or old carpeting around the bins.

• Make certain any plastic bins you use hold at least 3 cubic feet or the compost may never heat properly.

Build Compost Bin : 3 Easy Steps to Build a Homemade Garbage Can Compost Bin

• Purchase a 30 gallon metal waste container with a cover at any hardware or home improvement store.

1. Drill four holes in several different rows of around four inches apart in the can to allow air flow. Drill holes in the bottom and top of the compost bin to release excess moisture.

2. Place about three inches of saw dust or wood chips into the bottom of the container to help absorb moisture.

3. Placing the bin on top of a couple of cement blocks permits adequate air circulation.

• Keeping the compost bin off the ground prevents rust and makes it less accessible to creatures that you do not want disturbing the contents.

Make a compost bin out of a plastic garbage can.

3 Basics for Success When You Build Compost Bin:
Air, Warmth, Moisture

• Move the compost bin around periodically by basically shaking or rolling the can.

• Add materials as they become available. The best compost bin is made of half dry materials and half wet.

Composting can be sped-up by assembling a quantity of green matter waste, a supply of manure, and a generous sprinkling of fertilizer added to the top of each organic layer.

Compost can be created in a single season with weekly watering and turning over at intervals of several weeks.

Spread the organic matter over the vegetable garden in a 2 to 4 inch layer or fork into the soil in spring or fall.

Build a compost bin to have beneficial organic material on hand. Add compost generously to the dug holes before you plant vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, or lettuce.

What Can You Compost?

Use this chart for best composting practices; what to compost, and what materials to avoid composting. Click image to download chart.

Dried weeds, animal waste, and lawn clippings can be rapidly turned into compost.

Mix in vegetable and fruit leftovers, coffee grounds, tea bags, horse, rabbit or hamster bedding, egg shells, and plant and pruning remains.

Avoid adding meat, cat or dog waste, feminine napkins, disposable diapers, or glossy magazines.

Alternate grass cuttings with other organic matter in layers of approximately four inches.

Parents encourage their children to eat bananas for its nutrients such as potassium.

Banana peels are good to feed your vegetable garden as well.

The peel provides calcium, sodium, sulfur, magnesium, phosphates, and silica.

The skin rots quickly which aids to speed up the compost procedure.

Composting makes good use of fruit and vegetable waste, and later will enrich your garden soil.

Back To Top