How to make and use your own ultra-efficient composting system.
By Beth Huxta
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Successful organic gardeners rely on compost to improve soil’s fertility and moisture management, nourish helpful soil microbes, and inoculate against destructive ones. This three-bin system is a compost factory that efficiently pumps out heaps of finished black gold in just weeks, rather than the months you wait for the hands-off approach to work. Made from rot-resistant cedar, our ultimate compost bin features removable front planks, and a clean look that allows for good air movement. You can build it in just a few hours.
What you need:
Saw
Drill
Measuring tape
2 boxes of wood screws (2" and 2 1/2")
Mallet or sledgehammer
4' x 4' metal fence posts with screw holes
Staple gun and staples
36' x 3' wire netting (chicken wire or a stronger material with similar-size openings)
Wood:
Dimensions Quantity
1" x 6" x 12' 7
1" x 6" x 10' 9
1" x 2" x 10' 2
2" x 6" x 10' 2
2" x 6" x 12' 2
2" x 4" x 12' 2
Cut list for wood:
Removable planks: Cut 4 of the 1 x 6 x 12s into 12 pieces, 3'7 1/2" each
Uprights (for end and middle panels): Cut the 2 x 4 x 12s into 8 pieces, 2'10 1/2" each
Side slats: Cut the 1 x 6 x 10s into 18 pieces, 4'6" each
Front and back supports: Cut the 2 x 6 x 12s into 8 pieces, 2'10 1⁄2" each
Bottom pieces: Cut the 2 x 6 x 10s into 4 pieces, 4'9" each
Plank supports: Cut the 1 x 2 x 10s into 6 pieces, 2'10 1/2" each
Successful organic gardeners rely on compost to improve soil’s fertility and moisture management, nourish helpful soil microbes, and inoculate against destructive ones. This three-bin system is a compost factory that efficiently pumps out heaps of finished black gold in just weeks, rather than the months you wait for the hands-off approach to work. Made from rot-resistant cedar, our ultimate compost bin features removable front planks, and a clean look that allows for good air movement. You can build it in just a few hours.
