Composting is a wonderful hobby to take on as a gardener. Not only does it provide you with nutrient-rich matter to feed your plants, it's also rewarding to watch waste be repurposed into something valuable.
You don't need much to start making compost - just a suitable compost bin and the right materials to throw in. It doesn't require investing in a particularly expensive compost bin to be successful either, as there are many DIY compost bins you can make from items you likely already have at home.
Making a DIY compost bin is a fun project to take on and will leave you with a suitable vessel to continuously make organic matter for your yard. Here, a compost expert shares their favorite DIY compost bin ideas with tips on how to make them a success.
5 easy DIY compost bin ideas
Plenty of these DIY compost bins can be used for hot composting, too. This just requires some extra insulation to keep temperatures up - like using these flattened cardboard boxes from Walmart, as Charles Dowding's composting tips advise.
1. Pallet compost bin
This is perhaps the DIY compost bin that first comes to mind. The classic pallet compost bin is easy to make and has a rustic feel that gives it some aesthetic value. Plus, it provides the ideal conditions for composting.
'Constructing a compost bin using repurposed wooden pallets is cost-effective and provides ventilation for decomposition,' says Lauren Click, founder of Let's Go Compost.
Keeping your compost ventilated helps stop compost smelling bad, keeping it aerobic - the slats of wooden pallets provides this. Of course, the other benefit of a pallet compost bin is it allows you to create a larger heap.
'To create a pallet bin, arrange three wooden pallets (available at Amazon) vertically in a U-shape to form the back and sides of the bin. Secure them using screws or nails. Then, attach a fourth pallet to the front with hinges for easy access, or leave it loose for simplicity,' Lauren explains.
It's wise to place this DIY compost bin on bare soil, 'to allow natural drainage and access for beneficial organisms like worms and microbes,' says Lauren.
Avoid composting mistakes by not using any pallets that have been treated with chemicals: 'These can leach toxins into your compost,' Lauren warns. 'Look for pallets marked with HT (heat-treated) instead of MB (methyl bromide-treated), which is unsafe,' she advises.
2. Cold frame compost bin
If you have a cold frame that rarely gets used, turn it into a DIY compost bin. The joy of this idea is the frame is already constructed for you, it just requires some amendments.
The main thing you need to do is add some ventilation. You can do this by drilling holes through the lid and sides of your cold frame - of course, this is easier to do on a plastic cold frame, like this one from Amazon. Make sure to then place it on bare soil to once again aid drainage and access for microbes and worms.
'Using a cold frame, typically designed for starting seedlings, can serve as a warm, protective composting environment,' Lauren says. 'The frame's transparent cover traps heat, speeding up the composting process even in cooler weather,' she adds.
This is especially beneficial for winter composting and stopping compost freezing in winter.
'Ensure the frame does not contain plastics that might degrade over time and release microplastics into the compost,' warns Lauren. 'You should also monitor moisture levels that may build-up quicker in this environment.'
Use this soil moisture meter from Amazon to monitor moisture levels in your compost heap. You want it to be moist, but not soggy.
3. Plastic bucket compost bin
There are plenty of household items you can repurpose to make a DIY compost bin, and a plastic bucket is one of them. This is an especially good solution for gardeners with a small backyard where you may not have as much room to construct a pallet bin, for example.
'Repurposing a five-gallon plastic bucket (from Amazon) is a simple and space-saving composting solution for small households or urban settings,' Lauren says.
'All you need to do is drill several small holes around the sides and bottom of the bucket to provide ventilation and drainage,' she explains.
From there, you can layer your brown and green materials accordingly. Don't forget to regularly turn your compost, too, even on the smaller scale of a bucket compost bin. 'Mix the contents weekly using a stick or by shaking the bucket,' Lauren advises.
Use this 21V power drill set to complete your DIY compost bin with ventilation holes.
4. Trash bin composter
Similar to a bucket compost bin, you can easily repurpose a trash bin to make a DIY compost bin. The important thing with this idea is choosing the right material of trash bin.
You'll need to be able to drill holes for ventilation and it's also wise to avoid metals that rust to help keep your compost free of contamination. This makes a plastic trash bin ideal, like this seven gallon plastic bin from Amazon.
'To improve airflow, elevate the bin slightly by placing it on bricks or wooden blocks,' Lauren suggests. You can even use these pot feet from Amazon to do so.
'For a quick and easy way to aerate your compost, you can roll the bin on its side. Just make sure to secure the lid tightly beforehand,' Lauren says.
5. Tumbling compost bin
You may have seen tumbling compost bins available at retailers (like this tumbling compost bin from Amazon). They're designed to make it easy to keep your compost pile aerated with mechanics that make it convenient to turn. Well, you can actually make your own tumbling compost bin in just a few steps.
'This is a more advanced DIY,' says Lauren. 'Use a 55-gallon drum (from Amazon) or barrel and drill several holes in the drum to allow airflow and drainage,' she describes.
You then need to mount it horizontally on a frame. 'You can also use sawhorses (from Amazon) with a rod or pipe as an axis,' Lauren says.
If your barrel doesn't already have a secure lid, Lauren suggests cutting a flap on the side to create a door, 'attaching it with hinges and a latch for secure closure.'
The barrel should be free to rotate, so you can turn your compost with ease.
FAQs
Can you put a DIY compost bin indoors?
Yes, there are some DIY compost bins you can store indoors. This includes plastic bucket compost bins and repurposed trash bin composters. These are smaller compost bins that can fit under a kitchen sink, for example, where it's convenient to add food scraps. To prevent your indoor DIY compost bin smelling bad and attracting pests, make sure it is secure shut and covered, but still with some ventilation holes. Make sure to also regularly turn your compost bin to keep it aerated.
Making a DIY compost bin is a good garden project to have on your winter gardening checklist when there isn't as much to do in the yard. This means you'll have your bin set up just in time to start a compost heap in spring, which is when experts recommend doing so.
