Building a compost bin is very easy to do and is a great way to get started in woodworking. The meassurements and cuts do not have to be overly precise, and it's very easy to hide a few blemishes.Most compost bin sold at home improvement stores are made out of plastic. While relatively inexpensive, I don't really care for the look.
When building a your own wooden compost bin, be sure to use a rot resistant material like cedar. It's expensive but it will look great and last for many years. To save money, avoid higher priced 'clear' cedar. The boards with few knots.
Find a design that fits your needs and size. I made this one with 2 sides. One for material that is ready or just about ready for the garden, and the other with new yard and food leftovers. I also put doors on the front for easy access and mixing.
Steps:
1. Make a drawing of what you want to build. Estimate how much wood you'll need. I used cedar 2x4's for the frame and 1x4's for the siding. You'll want to use either galvanized nails or suitable outdoor grade decking screws.
2. Assemble the frame.
3. Make doors. I glued them up, and then added strips of wood to the underside for extra strength.
4. Attach siding and doors. For the back side, I used chicken wire to reduce the cost, and to allow for extra ventilation. If desired, apply a finish to the exterior.
