Homemade compost bins allow the bin to be tailored to the overall look of the property and to tailor the bin or bins to the needs of the gardener and the property. They are not tedious or difficult to build and can be made from a variety of materials.

The simplest container is, of course, none. Compost will work quite well in a pile next to the garden. However, some areas do not allow what they consider to be unsightly piles of trash in the yard, while a dumpster is more than acceptable. In addition to this, many gardeners prefer the look, convenience, and ritual of a series of compost bins.

A fast shipping container can be made from a 3 foot high, 10 length welded steel wire fence. 14 gauge is adequate for strength and sturdiness combined with reasonable weight. Trim the fence at one end to leave the ends sticking out and bend them to form hooks. Wrap the cable in a circle about 3 feet in diameter and hook the end of the cage. You now have a compost cage that is about 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet tall. This is an ideal size for a compost bin. Add the compost and when it’s time to put out the compost, unhook the end and remove the cage from the pile.

Next in simplicity is the pallet container. Nail three pallets to form a U. Take a fourth and wire it to the other three to form a door. Alternatively it can be hinged. Some composters prefer to leave this fourth side or door and simply fill the U, taking compost and adding material through the open side.

A wood frame container can be easily made by using 2×4 lumber to make four wood frames, each 3 feet by 3 feet or 4 feet by 4 feet. Butt joints and nails are strong enough for a compost bin. Each frame can be covered with fencing, chicken wire, snow fences, trellis, or anything else with an opening of about 2″ to allow air to enter the stack. Nail three of the frames in a U-shape to form a back and two sides.The frame can be hinged to make a door along with hook and eye arrangements to open and close the container.

Cinder blocks can be used to make all three sides of a compost bin. Remember to make the container about three feet tall, wide and deep. Leave about an inch between the blocks for air to reach the stack. Bricks can also be used, but they require a lot more work and stacking. A variation on this stacking theme is to use hay bails. They not only provide insulation to retain the heat of composting, but also gradually break down and add to the compost pile.

While there are certainly endless variations on these themes, there are a few things to keep in mind. The pile should be at least 3 x 3 x 3 feet for good composting heat. Aeration is important to keep the compost going and the easiest way to do this is by turning the pile over. Make the bin in a way that makes it easy to turn over. With this in mind, consider making three bins: one to collect material and two to transfer material from one bin to another.

Whichever bin you make, the compost will be produced along with the satisfaction of making your own compost in your own bin.