If you do not want to buy a compost bin or have not found one that you feel fits your needs, you can create your own composter out of recycled materials.
If you are an artsy person, this can be a fun project for you. A compost bin can also be made by scrap wood, mesh wire bricks, cinderblocks, or a combination of these materials. A good location to find these materials is scrap yards and construction sites.
When it comes to choosing the shape of your composter, round bins give the most interior space, use the least amount of material, and are light weight in comparison to square and rectangle composters.
The round shape also conserves heat better and presents the most self-insulation .
However, if you do not have a large space to work with, a rectangular composter will make the most out of a small space.
The sturdiness of the walls of your composter can be as durable as you want them to be.
Sometimes a composter that is built to endure regular pressure can break, when it s full and bumped into or a tree falls against it.
It is recommended to use nails and screws, because they give good holding power and are cheap.
For holding mesh screens together, metal twists perform the best, but plastic ties can also be used.
Wire Composter
A wire composter is easy to build and protects your compost from wild animals.
Some materials that can be used to make it are chicken coop wires, hardware cloth, and chain link fence.
To make a round composter, roll the wire into a cylinder and use metal or plastic ties to tie the ends together.
To make a rectangular bin, place four or more poles into the ground and wrap the wire around the stakes, then tie it together.
The length and material of the material you work with determines the height and diameter of the compost bin.
In order to protect the compost from rain, it is recommended to place a piece of plywood on top.
Wood Framed Composter
A wood framed composter is made out of scrap wood and is easy to make if you know how to use a drill.
Begin by building a wood frame with four boards aligned to form a square or rectangle.
Nail or screw the boards together. Then, repeat the process to form a matching side.
Next, stand the frames up on their side to connect them with cross beams. You may need to add support beams on the sides to make it sturdier.
It is recommended to either wrap the composter in wire, cover it with plywood sheets, or face it with boards.
This will help keep the animals out and protect it from rain.
Brick or Cinderblock Composter
A brick or cinderblock composter is more durable than a wood one, because wood can rot over time.
To create this type of composter, stack the bricks tightly together in the form of a wall.
Most are made with only three walls, because that makes aerating the compost and unloading it easier.
To protect the composter from wild animals, you can place a wire gate or sheet of plywood, where the fourth wall would be.
A sheet of plywood should also be laid on top of the composter for additional protection.
If you need a stronger structure, either mortar the bricks together or run lengths of steel rebar through the center line of the cinderblocks.
Wire, wood framed, and brick and cinderblock composters are all equally efficient types of composters.
The best one depends on the environmental conditions of the place you live.
For example, if you live in a windy place, you will want a very sturdy structure.
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