Home & Garden
Make your own portable compost bin
Composting can be a great way to turn ordinary food and garden waste into a useful part of your gardening process. Many people avoid setting up their own compost bin, however, because they think it is too difficult or expensive. But we’ve got a really simple way to build your own compost bin that you can move around the yard.
What you’ll need:
- A plastic garbage bin with a lid that can be locked into place
- A drill with a large drill bit
- Screws
- A small wooden platform with wheels
How to do it:
- With your drill, make holes up the sides of your bin, as well as in the lid and bottom. Around 25 is a good number to aim for.
NOTE: You can pick a suitable bin up from Masters for less than $20 - Using your drill and screws, attach the bottom of the bin to your wheeled platform. If you can’t find a suitable platform, you can use a couple of pieces of wood and large casters.
- Fill the bin with organic materials from your garden (avoid animal waste, anything chemical-treated, and diseased plants), refuse from the kitchen like nut shells, fruit and veggies, shredded newspapers and coffee grounds.
- To turn your compost, you can use a small shovel, or ensure the bin’s lid is secured and roll the bin on its side for a few minutes.
Related links:
How to create a no-dig garden bed
This is a great way to give your terracotta pots a makeover
How to make your own vertical garden out of a shipping pallet