I am Building My Compost Bin

EBCIII · April 9, 2015

So I started working on my Compost bin. It is going to be 10 feet long by six feet wide. The 1st 2 days all I did was cut my lumber. I now have my First layer up with the 1st set of uprights in. My 4 year old Bosh 18V Cordless Drill is starting not to hold a charge. We also have had rain off and on for the last 2 days.

Now here are some questions? How far do Y'all think spacing between boards going up? I was thinking using a 2x4 on the 4 side. and going up.

On the front? I was thinking Wire? Or maybe make a Gate that I can open and shut so I can get in to throw the stuff in. I Plan on using the Cold Method of Compost.

I have access to a lot of old semi decomposed pine straw down in the woods. I worry about bringing in any bugs or stuff. It is also full of Gum Balls? Can I put those in there?

Thanks in advance Beale.

ScottinAtlanta · April 9, 2015

I just line up pallets in a semi circle and hold them up with rebar. It takes an hour and works fine! It probably looks more redneck than you want, though.

EBCIII · April 9, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottinAtlanta

I just line up pallets in a semi circle and hold them up with rebar. It takes an hour and works fine! It probably looks more redneck than you want, though.

Yes I thought about that. I have the free wood though, Beale.

FarmerShawn · April 9, 2015

With a couple of cleats running down two opposite corners, you can create a channel to slide one side down, perhaps in two stacked sections to make them lighter to handle. That way you build in easy access for turning or emptying the pile, without spending much of anything.

EBCIII · April 9, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerShawn

With a couple of cleats running down two opposite corners, you can create a channel to slide one side down, perhaps in two stacked sections to make them lighter to handle. That way you build in easy access for turning or emptying the pile, without spending much of anything.

What is a "cleat" I am not sure I follow on that. I am still learning, Beale.

FarmerShawn · April 9, 2015

A cleat is just a length of wood, say a 2X2, attached, in this case, vertically down the corner. If you place two cleats down each corner, say about an inch apart, a channel, or groove would be created between them. Fit a panel between the corners so that it slides down in the channel and is held in place by the cleats. Then, to remove that panel, you need only slide it up and lift it off. Like I said, dividing the panel into two or more sections that would stack on top of each other would make each section smaller, lighter, thus easier to remove. I hope I've cleared it up a it, but let me know if it's still confusing, and I'll try again.

EBCIII · April 10, 2015

No Now I understand. I will use this method. I have a lot of left over cut off piece. Thank You very much, I am learning, slowly, Beale.

EBCIII · April 12, 2015

I finished My Compost Bin today. Man what a trip! Lot of work but I think it will work! 4 slats high with a 4 inch space between. On the front I put 2 slats with a 2 inch space. The ting is huge. Oh I found out all this wood I have been using is Cypress. For the beds for everything. It ought to last a while, Beale.

greyghost · April 12, 2015

Sounds perfect, especially for cold composting. I think you're going to love it!

EBCIII · April 13, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by greyghost

Sounds perfect, especially for cold composting. I think you're going to love it!

Thank You! Beale.

April 9, 2015	#1
EBCIII Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South East Va Zone 7A Posts: 306	I am Building My Compost Bin So I started working on my Compost bin. It is going to be 10 feet long by six feet wide. The 1st 2 days all I did was cut my lumber. I now have my First layer up with the 1st set of uprights in. My 4 year old Bosh 18V Cordless Drill is starting not to hold a charge. We also have had rain off and on for the last 2 days. Now here are some questions? How far do Y'all think spacing between boards going up? I was thinking using a 2x4 on the 4 side. and going up. On the front? I was thinking Wire? Or maybe make a Gate that I can open and shut so I can get in to throw the stuff in. I Plan on using the Cold Method of Compost. I have access to a lot of old semi decomposed pine straw down in the woods. I worry about bringing in any bugs or stuff. It is also full of Gum Balls? Can I put those in there? Thanks in advance Beale.

April 9, 2015	#4
FarmerShawn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,001	With a couple of cleats running down two opposite corners, you can create a channel to slide one side down, perhaps in two stacked sections to make them lighter to handle. That way you build in easy access for turning or emptying the pile, without spending much of anything. __________________ "Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you!" -- Tommy Smothers

April 9, 2015	#6
FarmerShawn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,001	A cleat is just a length of wood, say a 2X2, attached, in this case, vertically down the corner. If you place two cleats down each corner, say about an inch apart, a channel, or groove would be created between them. Fit a panel between the corners so that it slides down in the channel and is held in place by the cleats. Then, to remove that panel, you need only slide it up and lift it off. Like I said, dividing the panel into two or more sections that would stack on top of each other would make each section smaller, lighter, thus easier to remove. I hope I've cleared it up a it, but let me know if it's still confusing, and I'll try again. __________________ "Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you!" -- Tommy Smothers

April 9, 2015	#2
ScottinAtlanta Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,593	I just line up pallets in a semi circle and hold them up with rebar. It takes an hour and works fine! It probably looks more redneck than you want, though.

April 10, 2015	#7
EBCIII Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South East Va Zone 7A Posts: 306	No Now I understand. I will use this method. I have a lot of left over cut off piece. Thank You very much, I am learning, slowly, Beale.

April 12, 2015	#8
EBCIII Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South East Va Zone 7A Posts: 306	I finished My Compost Bin today. Man what a trip! Lot of work but I think it will work! 4 slats high with a 4 inch space between. On the front I put 2 slats with a 2 inch space. The ting is huge. Oh I found out all this wood I have been using is Cypress. For the beds for everything. It ought to last a while, Beale.

April 12, 2015	#9
greyghost Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: southeastern PA Posts: 760	Sounds perfect, especially for cold composting. I think you're going to love it!