My Homemade Compost Bins - Part Two

In October I wrote about the advantages and disadvantages of my composting system.



Though wonderful, alone it just didn't produce enough compost for my gardening needs.

I solved that problem by re-purposing a large stainless steel garbage can that was just being used to store junk anyway.

I drilled holes vertically around the four sides for circulation and drainage.




Then I did the same on the bottom



and on the lid.



The decomposition of food into compost requires hot temperatures. And no container does decomposition better than stainless steel baking in the hot sun, which is good since I need my compost fast.



So now I have the three cans going and that should be enough.

Cost of this one = $20.00 and 45 minutes to drill holes. 

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There are other ideas for homemade compost bins floating around cyberspace.



bctphotos @ Photobucket has a self-contained, raised open bin.




MagzDragon @ Photobucket uses a plastic garbage can. Seems like using a plastic garbage can with wheels might come in handy because you wouldn't require a wheel barrel to move the dirt.

What compost system do you use?

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Related Post: My Homemade Compost Bins: Part 1

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Tags: building a compost bin, making a compost bin

My Homemade Compost Bins: Part 1

I was not going to buy a pre-made compost bin. Those are expensive and plastic. And since I'm all-crazy-like about chemicals my dirt couldn't bake in a BPA-laden tumbler, even though my garden routinely gets drenched in toxic Louisville tap water (Don't judge). An open compost pit was out of the question too what with critters and the stench, so we made our own. Problems solved. Or are they? You tell me.


We took two stainless steel garbage cans, drilled holes in the bottom and sides for drainage and worm entry, then buried them in a remote corner of the backyard.





While one decomposes



the other is ready for use.



ADVANTAGES:

1.) No decomposition stench or critter infestations.

2.) No need to add worms; they find their way in.

3.) Cheap. Cost $40.00. And the sweat of my husband's brow.

4.) Must stir manually. It works the arms.

DISADVANTAGES: 

1.) Must stir manually. It works the arms.

2.) You must dig the holes. This is a lot of work. Just ask my husband.

3.)  I have garbage can lids sticking out of my backyard that can probably be detected by Google Earth.

4.) System doesn't meet entire compost needs of my average sized vegetable and flower gardens.

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Related post: My Homemade Compost Bins: Part 2



Tags: Building a Compost Bin, Making a Compost Bin