| Compost can act as a great fertilizer, enriching the | | | | use to build your bin. It is important to note that |
| soil with organic materials rather than making use of | | | | some exposure to the elements is necessary for |
| chemicals that can do more harm than good if used | | | | more effective and quicker composting. Chicken wire |
| improperly. Composting is a great way to save | | | | is not particularly good for compost bins as it can |
| money as well. Using compost requires that you | | | | stretch out of shape very easily and does not wear |
| thoroughly mix it into the soil, reducing compaction | | | | well. Materials like 16-guage plastic-coated wire mesh |
| and providing oxygenation to the soil. Compost can | | | | and hardware cloth are better choices, as is hog wire. |
| help plants stay healthier, and that contributes to | | | | Wood makes an interesting choice, but it is important |
| their ability to repel diseases and survive insect | | | | to note that it will eventually compost itself and will |
| attacks. A healthy landscape can be achieved with a | | | | need to be replaced. Do not used pressure-treated |
| little help from composting. | | | | wood, as it has toxic levels of copper and chromium, |
| It is important to note that composting does require | | | | and there is evidence that arsenic can leach into your |
| a little extra work. The pile needs to be turned, and | | | | compost. Other materials that are acceptable for |
| you need to make sure that you have adequate | | | | building compost bins are spoiled hay bales, old cinder |
| break down of the items in your compost pile. You | | | | blocks or bricks, wooden pallets, snow fencing, and a |
| need to be discriminating in what you put in your | | | | discarded rabbit hutch. The hutch is desirable because |
| compost: it should only be items that will break down | | | | there is very little that needs to be done to make it |
| naturally. Plant matter (including pulled weeds) and | | | | ready. |
| some foods are excellent in compost and will add to | | | | One of the easiest and cheapest ways to build a |
| the health of your soil, and thus to your landscape | | | | compost bin is to construct it from wooden pallets. |
| over all. There is no reason, however, that your | | | | Most warehouses, grocery, and hardware stores are |
| compost pile needs to be a true pile. A bin can help | | | | more than happy to give these away for free, or for |
| you better contain your compost and keep it from | | | | very cheap, as it saves them the trouble of having |
| being spread across your yard in a smelly mess by | | | | to discard them. You can use plastic ties to hold four |
| animals or a really fierce storm. | | | | of them together in a box formation. Adding another |
| The first thing you need to do before you build a | | | | bin to create a system is easy: just attach three |
| compost bin is decide what your needs are. Many | | | | more pallets using one side of the already made bin |
| people actually use a three-bin system. The bins may | | | | to complete another box. Be warned: after about |
| be connected, or they may be individually lined up. | | | | two years you will need a new bin, as this bin will be |
| Some people use the bins for different types of | | | | composting itself. |
| compost (regular compost, slow compost like woody | | | | A cinder block or brick bin is also rather easy and |
| plants, and leaves collected in the fall). Others like to | | | | cheap to build. If you visit a demolition or |
| have a three-bin system for the turning purposes. | | | | construction site, you are bound to find the materials |
| Move the compost from one bin into the next, | | | | you need readily available. Simply ask for permission |
| allowing it to turn. Then you can start a pile in the | | | | to take them. As with the pallets, if you take them |
| newly vacated bin. By the time the compost makes | | | | away, it saves the company from having to pay for |
| it into the third bin, it is ready for use. Others find | | | | the costs associated with disposing of them. Simply |
| that a single bin is sufficient for their needs, and just | | | | create a square enclosure by stacking the blocks or |
| go out to stir it around occasionally. | | | | bricks on top of each other. Make sure you leave |
| Next you need to determine what materials you will | | | | space between the blocks for ventilation. |