The “Foods” and “Shop” kids at our local school are planning to start composting. A group of seniors and their awesome teacher, Diane are coming over to check out our compost bins. So, as long as I am sharing with them, why not blog it.
We have lived in our current location for three years. We have now benefited from compost bin 1 of 3. Here’s the set up.
The first bin (left) has just been emptied and ready to use again. The second bin (center) contains scraps from last year. The third bin (right) contains scraps of this year.
Through trial and error we have found the design of three bins to work quite well.
The first bin was built as a stand alone. Additional bins were attached the next two years.
Each bin is on a base of a pallet (love those pallets!). Check around and you will most likely find free pallets being discarded from stores. Over the pallet we stapled chicken wire, small gauge so stuff doesn’t fall through. Putting the compost scraps on the pallets provides for much needed ventilation. The pallet also provides a 4X4 area which seems to be the maximum for a low maintenance bin size.
Next, put up posts of the four corners of the pallet. Now run chicken wire around 3 sides. We attached the chicken wire with zip-ties. My husband loves those things. The zip-ties will probably hold up for 3 years. I would suggest using a heavier gauge wire for the front. It is not necessary but we used it Upon releasing one side of the front, it acts like a gate so you can dig in the bin with less strain.
So, here are some more photos of our design. I’ll talk about contents and stuff in the next installment.
Excellent bins! And a great use of resources. But I think you must live in warmer climes… mine have to have semi-solid sides to keep the warmth in and my free-range bantams out. Made, naturally, from 4 pallets, wired together!
Actually, I live in Northern Minnesota. We’ve already had frost! I am no means an expert but a compost done right should be steaming in the winter…………my peeps love the compost too.
Thanks for the compliment. It is highly appreciated coming from a fellow thrifty.
Grace and Peace
Those are great thrifty bins. I hadn’t thought of using palettes for the base but it looks like they work very well.
You posted on my blog about composting the cat litter and we do scoop out all the poo and throw it in the garbage. We only compost the pine pellets leftover and the pee that they are soaked in. The ammonia is quickly decomposed into very high amounts of beneficial nitrogenous substances. It’s a pain to scoop out all the poo so meticulously but it is certainly nice to keep the litter out of the landfill.
Your chickens are so beautiful and I am so jealous. I can’t have chickens where I live!