Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Make Your Own Compost Holder

How to make an easy DIY compost holder using metal hardware cloth. When compost is done just lift the holder and spread where you need your rich homemade compost.

compost bin, hardware cloth, make compost

 I always have a loose little compost pile in the far corner of our yard but decided to make a proper one to compost my chicken waste. In fact I probably will make more. I used half inch hardware cloth I ordered from Amazon.  You could use any heavy duty wire fencing you might have in your garage lying around.

garden compost


How to make your own compost bin

How To Make A Compost Bin


  1. Just laid it out to about the size I wanted and used my wire cutters to cut. I also use some good wire hubby had in the garage to attach the sides.
  2. Fold over the ends so they overlap about two inches. Use your wire in three inch pieces to attach the sides.
  3. I found it easiest to make a hook with my pieces of wire to fish it though the hardware cloth. Why they call it cloth I don't know as this stuff is tough and sharp. When I pulled them through I used the wire cutters to hold the wire and twist securely. Place these about every six inches down the roll.


hardware cloth uses

There it is tucked behind a tree in the corner. I would love to make a big one out of a trash can to really cook the compost quickly. This method will be a little slower but I know the stuff that comes out of it is nutrient rich because whenever I would turn the pile the roots from the plants in the planter would be coming up into the pile reaching for all that good stuff.

hardware cloth, DIY composter

Update: I later went to a large plastic pre-made composter but have been unhappy with it. Not only is it ugly, it has cracked and I have tossed it in the recycle bin and gone back to this original compost maker.
View all of our gardening posts for more great urban gardening tips.

17 comments:

  1. Very clever. I have a stack compost bin. Love it. I compost EVERYTHING!

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  2. Wow, you're creative! I used to throw our yard waste and such in the far corner of our yard, but now a sheds going in! Thanks for sharing your idea!

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  3. Very neat way of composting...this is something that I should be doing!!
    Love all your energy!!
    Have a great day...
    shug

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  4. Looks like you are well on your way to making your very own 'black gold'.

    Isn't wonderful to be able to re-use and re-purpose everyday items into wonderful things ?!

    Love it!!

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  5. I so need to get mine started up again. There is nothing like good compost. Nice job on your container. xo Diana

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  6. Good idea. Isn't hardware cloth handy at times!

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  7. I had a 2 bin compost pile on the farm that I built myself and loved it. Now, i have a little one that turns but I don't like it as much. I may build one like yours which is more similar to the one I used to have. I always learn something when I read your blog. I want to look into vermiculture also which you can have in your house all year around.

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  8. Genius! What a great DIY! We have a tiny compost right now - but I love this idea for a future project. :)

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  9. Great idea. Compost is the best stuff in the world, isn't it?

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  10. This is a great idea. I need to read a few articles on what to throw in them!

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  11. Clever again. We compost, sort of but forget to turn it so we actually have a garden emerge out of it. Last year we grew tomatoes and watermelon.

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  12. I used to have one, but it broke down and we haven't made another one. I need to try this. It's a great idea!
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  13. This is a really clever idea. Thanks!

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  14. You are brilliant, what a great idea!!! I need one of those. Thanks for showing me how to do it.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  15. Easy and perfect for a beginner composter!

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  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  17. Great idea! ....just became your newest follower and subscriber! Come on by my blog for a visit and maybe even subscribe if you like! Have a fantastic day!

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