I have been searching for an economical compost bin for awhile now. It really kind of shocks me how expensive a big piece of plastic can be! Pretty much every store I went to from Wal-Mart to Costco had compost tumblers and they were around the $150-$200 range. Nuts!
I was very excited when I came upon a guest post on Simple Mom giving instructions on how to make your own bin for around $15. I managed to make mine for under $10!
Here’s how we did it.
1. Buy a large plastic trash can with a lid that will stay on tightly. I bought mine for under $10 at Menards.
2. Drill about 30 holes all around the trash can, from top to bottom.
3. Place can elevated on some wood so that the holes at the bottom of the can are left open to allow airflow in the bin.
4. Add your yard waste and compostable food scraps to can.
5. Keep compost at a good moisture level, and frequently “turn” the compost. Simply put the lid on the bin tightly and roll around in the yard so the compost can be turned.
For more composting tips visit these links:
http://www.owensound.ca/environment/composting-tips.php
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm
http://compostguide.com/composting-tips/
http://www.squidoo.com/compostingbasics
Shared with www.liverenewed.com, Frugally Sustainable, Women Living Well, Life As Mom, and www.momminitup.com!
Awesome! I’ve been wanting to make a composter, thank you for the frugal tip!
Wow, amazing you can do it so cheaply! Nice work! On another note, we are getting a Menard’s here soon, do you like it? I’ve never been to one.
Thanks for linking up!
I love Menards! It is so much cheaper than Lowe’s and Home Depot.
I have a garden club at the elementary school where I teach. Last month we made worm bins for each of their homes with some red wigglers. The beauty of the worm bin, is no turning is necessary–just add bedding, scraps and cuttings and they just eat right up through it. We also collect the “worm tea” out the bottom holes to add to water for liquid fertilizer that is ten times better than that blue “miracle” stuff you can buy. Love those worms
That is great! We have been tossing worms in as we find them around the yard.
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I made a similar barrel and it’s working great too. I hadn’t thought about just rolling it around with the lid on though; I’ve been turning with a shovel. Your method sounds much easier!
If it isn’t totally full you can roll it around, but as it gets really full you would need a shovel.
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