How to Build a Simple Outdoor Compost Bin
You can spend a fortune on a fancy compost tumbler, or you can build a perfectly good bin from pallets in an afternoon.
A simple three-sided wooden bin holds a big pile, breathes well and costs almost nothing if you can find free pallets.
What you need
- Four wooden pallets or some scrap timber
- Sturdy corner posts
- Galvanized screws or wire
- A spot that drains well
How to build it
- Stand three pallets upright to form three walls
- Lash or screw them to corner posts
- Leave the front open or add a removable door
- Layer greens and browns as you fill it
A pallet bin costs almost nothing and, with a little turning, produces rich compost within a season.
Keeping it healthy
A well-run bin needs almost no maintenance, just a weekly turn and a quick check of the moisture level.
- Turn the pile with a fork each week
- Add water when it looks dry
- Cover with a tarp in heavy rain
Build it once and a simple bin will reward you with free compost for every garden season after.
Gather free pallets, spend an afternoon, and you have a compost bin that costs almost nothing.