DIY compost bin options. DIY compost bin options Compost heap from pallets

The better the quality of the soil, the richer the crop grown on this land will be. But it so happens that the initial data is not very good, and you have to fertilize the soil. For this, you can use various fertilizers, but it is best to make a compost pit, which will become a source of environmentally friendly material. Consider how a compost pit should be made with your own hands: manufacturing options and materials suitable for this purpose.

In order to understand how to properly make a compost pit, first of all, you need to figure out what it is used for. Typically, a compost pit is used to dispose of organic waste, which, as a result of the decay process, turns into organic fertilizer. There are many design options and each owner can only choose the most suitable option for himself.

The compost heap does an excellent job with the disposal of mowed grass and fallen leaves. Under the influence of time, moisture and microorganisms, all this turns into a fertilizer that can be used to grow all types of crops, both in gardens and in the vegetable garden.

Making a compost pile of organic fertilizers with your own hands is not difficult at all, especially since there are many ideas for independent implementation that can be used as a basis. You can make your own compost pit using pallets, which are usually used for transporting and storing building materials. They can be bought at a fairly low price, or it is quite possible, simply to find them on your own site.

How to make a compost pit in the country: choosing a location

When talking about arranging a compost heap, one cannot but mention the importance of its correct location. First of all, the structure must be sufficiently removed from residential buildings. In addition, the place of its installation should be well blown by the wind in order to avoid stagnant air and the concentration of unpleasant odors coming from it. In addition, access to the compost must be ensured so that the process of adding raw materials or removing the finished fertilizer is as comfortable as possible.

Helpful advice! In order for the decay process to proceed faster, it is recommended to periodically stir the layers inside the heap. Therefore, even at the stage of planning and arrangement, it is worth considering how this can be done.

In addition, the following selection criteria should be taken into account when choosing a site suitable for a compost pit:

the selected location should be located at a sufficiently large distance from any source of drinking water, for example, a well or a well. The distance between these objects must be at least 25 m;
if the site is not evenly located, but under a slope, then a compost pit should be made below the water level (preferably at the lowest point of the site). This will prevent the ingress of decay drains and clean water;
in advance, it is worth asking about the most frequent direction of the wind, since the pit often becomes a source of a rather strong and unpleasant odor, and can cause discomfort to both you and your neighbors;
it is worth taking care that there is not only a free approach to the pit, but also enough space to be able to bring in waste or remove the finished compost with a wheelbarrow.

Helpful advice! It is advisable to choose a shaded place for the compost pit, since the sun's rays negatively affect the decay process, significantly slowing down the composting process.

What you can and cannot put in a compost pit

In order for the fertilizer obtained as a result of rotting to be of high quality and bring benefits to the plants, not harm, each summer resident needs to familiarize himself with the list of those products that may or may not be added to compost in advance. So, great for composting:

grass, weeds, leaves, hay, straw, etc .;
berries, fruits and any cleaning from them (raw);
waste from wood products that have not been painted;
shredded paper products (napkins, bags, cardboard);
waste from making tea, coffee or cereals;
branches and roots of trees after chopping;
needles;
herbivore manure (only two years old);
wood ash.

Important! The percentage of cleanings from products such as potatoes and tomatoes in the compost should not exceed 15-20%.

any plants that have been affected by pests;
plants affected by diseases such as powdery mildew, late blight, etc.;
pet excrement, as it can be contaminated with helminth eggs;
bones and leftovers from meat products. They will provoke an extremely unpleasant odor, and will also become food for rats;
inorganic waste - plastic, rubber, synthetic fabrics and metal;
plants that have been treated with herbicides;
the remains of cabbage, the rotting of which provokes an extremely strong and unpleasant odor.

As for composting weeds, experts recommend putting them in a separate pile, which is covered with a film on top. So, the risk that the plants will take root again is excluded and you can count on their death with one hundred percent probability.

If you add weeds to a common heap, then you often have to deal with the fact that perennial plants take root, especially if, as a result of regular watering or rains, the humidity is high enough.

Important! To accelerate the process of decay of waste, it is recommended to preliminarily subject them to shredding. This is especially true for items such as branches, roots and paper products.

Having figured out what can be put in the compost pit, and what is not, it remains only to familiarize yourself with the rules for caring for waste in order to ensure that they decompose as efficiently as possible. Moreover, the duration of the period during which the compost will be formed directly depends on the correctness of the care carried out:

moisture is the most important indicator that affects waste decay and compost formation. In order to maintain the desired level, it is recommended to periodically water the heap from a watering can. At the same time, it is important that in the end it turns out wet, but not wet, since an abundance of water will negatively affect the viability and activity of bacteria;
once a month, you need to thoroughly stir the pile, thus providing oxygen access. This allows the waste to burn out rather than rot. At the same time, if there is no opportunity to completely dig everything up, you can use the pitchfork and pierce the bunch in as many places as possible;
to accelerate the maturation process of compost requires the addition of nitrogen, which is found in large quantities in green parts of plants, as well as in slurry.

It usually takes 1-1.5 years to form high-quality compost. During this time, almost any waste and residues will fully decompose. The readiness of the compost can be recognized visually and by smell. The finished mixture is a crumbly brown mass and has the smell of forest earth.

Compost pit: what it is and what it is for

The issue of using compost is one of the most popular. After all, not every summer resident knows how and why to use the resulting mixture, and how great is its benefit. In fact, it is possible to fertilize the soil with compost for almost any plant. Cucumbers, peppers, zucchini and pumpkin respond best to such feeding. The result can be seen already in the coming harvest season - the fruits grow large, have a bright and rich color, taste and aroma are well expressed.

But there are also plants for which compost is not so useful. For example, root crops, tomatoes, melons and watermelons should not be fertilized abundantly in this way, since this leads to the fact that the yield decreases, and the amount of green mass, on the contrary, increases.

Strawberry reacts well to compost, especially if you first cut it "at the root" and overlay it with a semi-decomposed composition. Then all this needs to be watered, and all that remains is to wait for new fresh foliage, as well as a bountiful harvest next season.

DIY compost pit: manufacturing options and design requirements

In order to properly build a compost pit, you need to understand how the compost heap should be arranged. There are many DIY options, but first of all, you should pay attention to the fact that it should consist of three parts. In this case, it is necessary to install 8 support posts, each of which must be treated with a protective agent.

Helpful advice! Machine oil, fuel oil or even tar can be used as a protective composition for the posts.

As a fence on one of the sides, you can use a fence canvas, and for the rest, boards are better suited. Partitions are constructed from them, in which holes for ventilation must be left. This contributes to the course of the decay process. Also, a door must be installed that allows access to the compost.

Making a compost pit in the country with your own hands involves ensuring the proper level of ventilation and at the same time protecting the contents from precipitation. So that the compost heap does not turn into a swamp, it must be covered with a special cover of a suitable size during precipitation. And if the weather conditions are not too harsh, then it is quite acceptable to use plastic wrap for this purpose.

Another option is to use building pallets that are pre-dismantled. Using a circular saw, the boards can be divided into individual elements, and then assembled from them into a suitable structure. In this case, it is better to fasten the boards vertically. The front board can be fixed with adhesive. To give such a structure stability, it is necessary to use the building level and trim the lower planks.

It is also important that the height of the walls of a homemade composter is such that it is convenient for a person of any height to add, stir up and remove compost.

Interesting! You can pay attention to the construction of compost pits made using Finnish technology. In this case, some design features are of interest, for example, when you extract humus from one compartment, it is automatically filled with raw materials from the adjacent one.

DIY compost pit: manufacturing options, photo examples

The type of compost pit is determined based on several factors. One of them is the installation method. Consider all the existing options:

allocation of a certain place for organizing a compost pit. At the same time, a foundation pit is initially prepared, which is very similar to a well, but at the same time has a shallower depth. The walls of the pit are additionally strengthened to prevent soil shattering and are sheathed with an indent of 20-25 cm from the bottom. This distance is necessary in order to provide the microorganism with free access to waste;
Another option is to install a special container in the garden area for collecting waste and processing it into compost. This method allows you to get the finished product at any time. This design is based on a pit with a formwork, as well as a special box made of boards. When implementing this option, it is extremely important to pay due attention to the organization of ventilation;
a compost pile with your own hands is the easiest way to solve the problem. To do this, it is enough to make a substrate consisting of sand, gravel and dry grass. Waste is simply stacked on top, which over time will begin to rot themselves.

Related article:

Detailed technology for the construction of structures: soil preparation, fabrication of the frame, its installation and filling.

You can make a do-it-yourself compost bin using many different technologies and instructions. The proposed designs can be distinguished by materials that are required for work, dimensions, properties and ease of use.

Helpful advice! Regardless of the type of structure chosen, before starting to lay the raw materials inside the structure, it is necessary to thoroughly loosen the bottom and install the ventilation holes.

DIY compost box: manufacturing options and instructions

Before making a compost pit with your own hands, it is advisable to consider as many options and designs as possible that can be used for this purpose. Let's take a closer look at the instructions for making the most popular boxes made from various materials.

Garden compost bin: installation and operation features

A garden composter may well be presented as a large box, divided into several sections. Usually, two or three compartments are made, but experts strongly recommend stopping at the option with three sections, since each of them has its own purpose: the first serves for laying waste, the second is intended for the ripening of waste, and the third contains ready-made compost.

Depending on the individual wishes of the owner, the composter can be stationary or mobile (move on wheels). In this case, the recommended height of the box should not exceed 1 meter, and the size of each section should be about 1-1.5 meters.

Important! All wooden elements must be treated with a special protective compound designed to provide the material with reliable protection against harmful insects, as well as moisture.

To make a compost box with your own hands, you need to adhere to the following procedure:

8 wooden blocks are dug into the ground;
With the help of boards, also pre-opened with a protective compound, partitions are erected. To do this, they are attached to the supports at some distance from each other.
In the front part, two compartments should be sheathed only to the middle, and only one bottom board is nailed to the third. On the first two, doors are mounted on top.
The back and end parts are fully sheathed.
The entire structure is covered with two layers of moisture resistant paint.
Finally, handles, latches, etc. are attached.

At the bottom of such a box, drainage must be laid, which can consist, for example, of dry tree branches. Immediately after that, you can go directly to the laying of waste inside the structure.

How to make a compost pit in the country using wooden planks

A compost pit is an excellent solution, if necessary, not to spoil the appearance of the site with the appearance of a heap of waste. Formation of fertilizer in such a structure takes much longer, and in order for the process to proceed as correctly and efficiently as possible, it is important to take care of the correct arrangement in advance and ensure the access of the required amount of oxygen.

The order of work:

First of all, it is necessary to dig a compost pit, the width of which will be 1.5 m, the length of 2 m, and the depth of about 1 meter.
In the corners, you need to dig in wooden blocks, observing an indent from the walls of 20 cm on each side.
With a step of 5 cm, boards are attached to these posts.
The resulting box is divided into two parts using a wooden shield.

The bottom of the compost pit is filled with a ten centimeter layer of bark, twigs and straw. Such a mixture will take on the role of drainage, which will allow to remove excess moisture and additionally ventilate the raw materials.

Initially, only one of the compartments should be filled with waste. Then, when one is half full, the compost must be transferred to the second compartment. This procedure will enrich it with oxygen as much as possible.

Important! The bottom and sides of the composter do not need to be covered with anything, so that earthworms can freely get inside, which take an active part in the waste recycling process.

How to make a slate compost bin

Slate is a durable material that is great for creating a structure designed for the collection and recycling of organic waste into compost. The procedure for creating a suitable structure consists of several stages:

choosing a suitable place and taking measurements in order to determine the appropriate size of the pit;
according to the marks, a not too large depression is being dug, in the corners of which supports are installed, which can be used as boards or metal pipes;
slate sheets are installed along the perimeter of the pit;
using the same sheets, the resulting container is divided into several parts (two or three).

The use of such a design is carried out according to all the same recommendations that are given for compost pits made of wood.

How to make a compost pit out of concrete in the country

If you devote a little more time and attention to the process of arranging the compost pit, then as a result, it can last several decades without problems. To do this, it is enough to concrete it. This can be done as follows:

you need to dig a hole about 80 cm deep, 2 m wide and 3 m long;
make formwork inside the pit;
then you need to prepare a solution consisting of sand, gravel and cement. To do this, pour 5 liters of water into a bucket and add 5 kg of sand and cement to it so that the ratio of dry components is 3: 1;
the resulting solution is poured into the formwork;
using wooden boards and a netting (a metal frame is also suitable), a cover is constructed for the pit.

It is very important that in the case of using boards for mounting the cover, there is a distance between the elements, which is necessary for proper ventilation.

Compost pit according to Finnish technology: the secrets of installation of the structure

The main requirement for structures made using Finnish technology is compliance with certain dimensions. The height and width of the box must necessarily be the same and be 1 m. This is extremely important, since the raw material will simply dry up into a smaller box, turning not into compost, but into dust. Large sizes are unacceptable for another reason - in this case, there is a risk of burning the contents from too high a temperature.

For the manufacture of such a structure, it is best to use wood. Slate in this case is not a very suitable option, since structures made from it are characterized by a longer period of waste decomposition. Again, a cheap and at the same time quite convenient option is a Finnish compost pit made of pallets.

Algorithm for assembling a compost pit using Finnish technology:

The frame of the box of the required size is assembled from wood pre-treated with antiseptic agents.
Then the finished frame is sheathed with boards. Boards are tightly placed only on the partitions that separate the compartments. On the side walls, the boards should be spaced with an indent of 1 cm.
The back wall of the structure is also sewn up with boards at a distance of 1 cm.
The bottom of the box is covered using a croaker. It is also important to maintain some distance between the elements so that excess liquid can be efficiently drained away.
In the lower part of the front wall of the structure, a small door is equipped, the height of which is usually 30 cm. It is fastened with ordinary door hinges.
The roof of the structure is made gable, with one of the slopes attached to the hinges so that it simultaneously acts as a door, making it possible to fill in the waste.

Interesting! In one box, the size of which is 1 × 1 m, you can prepare the amount of compost sufficient to fertilize a plot of land of 5-7 acres.

Compost pit-dry closet: what is it?

Another special type of compost pit is a dry closet, which is also capable of converting human waste products into compost. It is a structure consisting of two containers, each with a volume of 80 liters.

The use of this type of dry closet is as follows: after visiting the toilet, you need to turn a special handle, which is responsible for supplying a portion of a special mixture consisting of peat and sawdust. Thanks to this mechanism, the mixture is evenly distributed and falls asleep inside the waste.

It is quite possible to use such a composter-dry closet to dispose of not too much food waste, simply by throwing it inside and filling it with a dry mixture. When the first container is completely filled, it must be pushed aside and the second one must be installed in place, which can be used in the same way. At this time, the first container will contain the compost mixture, completely ready for use.

Important! The compost obtained in such a composter will be very concentrated. This must be taken into account, and before adding it to the soil, you need to dilute the mixture with soil, sand or peat.

Criteria for choosing a ready-made composter for a summer residence

At the same time, an increasing number of owners of suburban areas are trying to move away from the use of homemade structures, preferring purchased models. Let's consider what advantages and disadvantages the ready-made designs have, and what parameters you need to pay special attention to before making a purchase.

In most cases, preference is given to simple and convenient composters that are easy to assemble and operate on their own. But since the number of offers on the modern market is extremely large, it can be really difficult to independently determine the most suitable option. As a guideline, experts recommend using certain criteria, since the models can be:

collapsible or one-piece;
with temperature sensor;
with a special device that allows you to loosen the contents;
with a net instead of the bottom, which provides protection from rodents;
of various shapes and sizes.

Composters also differ in the material used for their manufacture. So, plastic is the most popular today, since it has a low weight, which allows it to be moved around the site without problems, and its service life is extremely long. If the structure is planned as a stationary one, then you can also consider the option of purchasing a metal composter. Wooden models can also be found on sale, but they are not very common due to their short service life and exposure to external factors.

How to choose and buy a compost pit: an overview of the most popular brands and models

As examples, consider several composters that are the most popular and have received a lot of positive feedback from users.

L&T Globe composter: features and characteristics

This model is highly valued by permanent residents of country houses, since it can be used throughout the year, and not every product can boast of this. The L&T Globe was developed by Finnish specialists who took into account the harsh weather conditions of the local climate. This allows the composter to function without problems even in the harshest winters.

Another advantage of this model is the absence of small and heavy parts, so it is quite easy to operate the device. The working volume of the container is 310 liters, and durable polyethylene was used as a material for the manufacture. In order for the system to function in the cold season, a 15 mm layer of thermal insulation was provided, which allows you to maintain an optimal temperature inside.

Due to the low height of this composter, a person of absolutely any height can fill and empty it. Moreover, for even more comfort, a removable upper part is provided in the design.

Thus, all these design features create the most favorable environment for efficient composting of waste. The microclimate that is maintained inside the container promotes the growth and development of microorganisms capable of recycling waste. The developers have not forgotten about the ventilation system, which is presented in the form of drainage holes in the bottom of the composter.

Important! The ventilation system of this model can be used in two modes: summer / winter. It is important to carry out the switching in a timely manner using a specially designed shutter.

Bulbeo composter: features and benefits

This model is the development of Italian specialists, which exists on the domestic markets in two modifications, differing in size (700 and 900 liters). Initially, this model was intended exclusively for processing plant waste, but, as practice shows, it copes well with composting other organic waste.

This composter belongs to collapsible models and consists of separate parts, which can be easily assembled and, if necessary, disassembled again. This allows you to rearrange the container from one place to another and even transport it. Moreover, when disassembled, this design takes up very little space and can easily fit in the trunk of an ordinary passenger car.

Among the main advantages of this choice are noted:

the ability to get free access to the structure from six sides;
it is convenient to take out the finished compost thanks to the hinged doors;
this model looks quite aesthetically pleasing on the site, since it resembles a blooming bud in shape;
discreet dark green color allows you to organically fit the structure into any landscape design.

Durable plastic is used as a material for this model, which provides reliable protection of the contents from wind and strong temperature extremes. According to the developers, the rounded shape of the walls contributes to the maturation of the compost.

Of course, there are vents available to ensure that the required amount of oxygen is available. Everyone can easily assemble this model, because this does not require any tools or additional fasteners. The finished structure weighs only 19 kg and its height is 885 mm.

Compost pit products: features and benefits of using

Having figured out how to make a compost heap, many expect that they will soon be able to use the nutrient fertilizer made in it. But the reality is that the natural maturation of compost can take up to 2 years. Of course, you can just be patient and wait. But you can go the other way, buying a special tool that promotes the maturation of compost and accelerates this process.

Interesting! The issue of using excipients is especially relevant for those regions of the country where the warm period is short. If the warm weather lasts only 2-3 months, then the maturation period of the compost has to be reduced artificially.

So, there are several drugs that are well suited for this purpose and are recommended not only by specialists, but also by real users. They all have different names, but, in general, the principle of their operation is the same. As an example, consider the Tamir remedy.

Tamir is an extremely complex preparation, which includes a whole complex of microorganisms, which in the natural environment are responsible for ensuring the decomposition of organic waste and waste. Due to the high concentration of these bacteria, the composting process occurs several times faster, and after 2-3 weeks full maturation occurs.

It is worth noting that the compost obtained in this way is not completely decomposed waste and is somewhat different from the usual consistency. But its final decomposition will take place directly in the soil, which will bring even greater benefits to the plants.

Important! It is believed that compost obtained as a result of exposure to auxiliary preparations, such as fertilizer, is many times more useful than that obtained naturally. Therefore, answering the common question whether it is possible to use means for compost pits, the answer is unequivocal - it is not only possible, but even necessary.

All means of this type are used according to the following technology:

if the pile has not yet been formed, then the drug is added on top of each new layer, after which it is poured over with water;
in the already finished heap, you need to make a depression to the full height, into which the drug and water are added.

Other ways to speed up the maturation of the compost heap

In addition to complex preparations, you can use other methods to stimulate the recycling of organic waste and the maturation of compost in the pit. Let's consider each of them in more detail:

the use of rotted manure, which is quite capable of replacing biochemical preparations intended for composting. At the same time, it is forbidden to use fresh manure, as it can become a source of not only helminth eggs, but also weed seeds, pathogens, etc .;
a solution made from common yeast. To prepare it, you need 1 liter of water and about 1 tablespoon of dry yeast. To this is added 200 grams of sugar (1 cup). This solution is poured into the recesses made in the compost heap;
herbal infusion. To improve the effect, it is mixed with chicken manure or slurry in a ratio of 5: 2. It is important to know that the amount of nitrogen contained in fresh poultry manure is much higher than in manure, which means that the ratio should be different.

Helpful advice! In order for bird droppings to enter the compost heap in a natural way, you can install a feeder above it. This will greatly facilitate and speed up the process.

The methods of accelerating maturation also include artificial humidification of raw materials, its tedding and other measures designed to create the most comfortable microclimate for composting.

How to arrange a compost pit in the country with your own hands

Whichever structure is chosen for composting, it is unlikely that its appearance will be attractive enough in the end. Most likely, no one will want to look at the compost pit, so it will be useful to think about how you can use the original design to improve its appearance.

The problem of masking the compost pit is especially relevant for small plots, since almost the entire territory is in plain sight. Although it happens that even for spacious areas, the owners use different design strategies to give the compost pit a more attractive look. So, in order to hide such an object, you can use:

camouflage with plants and hedges;
artificial decoration and stationary fences.

Work related to the manufacture of artificial fences must be carried out in an open area located at some distance from the location of the compost pit. This is necessary in order to make it more convenient to work and to be able to move freely without being subject to discomfort from the smell exuded by the heap.

The main requirement for such a fence is that it must hide the entire site from the eyes of guests and owners. That is, the compost heap should be completely hidden behind it, and the appearance of the fence should be as attractive as possible and in harmony with the environment.

It is much longer and to some extent more difficult to create hedges for this purpose. But they look much more natural and elegant. The main thing is to pay attention to the choice of a suitable plant, so that in the end the hedge is not too bulky and lush, and does not break the general structure of the site.

Helpful advice! You can use light translucent screens entwined with vines as a fence. They do an excellent job with the task, and at the same time do not take up much space, so they are quite suitable for both large and small areas.

The best ideas for decorating a silo pit

Other elements, such as special screens or screens, can be used to mask the place where the compost heap is located. Bamboo fences have proven to be excellent. Plants also look good if you carefully plant them in a row.

At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to equip a compost pit directly under the fruit trees, as this can lead to their death. There must be some distance between the compost and the plants.

The most popular are the following design methods:

fruit trees and berry bushes planted in a row;
potted gardens placed on several levels to hide the entire structure;
installation of a small architecture object: a gazebo or a fenced barbecue (of course, in this case, you should take care that the unpleasant smell of rotting waste does not interfere);
flower beds with tall plants;
support wall.

Separately, it is worth noting the masking of compost piles in the event that a plastic container was used for them. In this case, it is not at all necessary to completely mask it. You can use it as a decoration of the site, painting it in a bright color and planting beautiful flowers around. You can draw any drawing on such a container, thus giving it originality.

The easiest way is to work with small compost pits, which can be hidden with an abundance of flowers or even shrubs. By the way, the compost yard is a great place to experiment with growing new varieties of annuals.

You can clearly see how composters for summer cottages are made and designed with your own hands by looking at training lessons and detailed instructions. You just need to decide which design is best suited in a particular case, as well as take into account your own individual requirements and wishes. Otherwise, there will be no problems, since there are as many options for do-it-yourself compost pits as there are ready-made models.

How to make a compost pit with your own hands: video instruction

A competent summer resident knows for sure that weeds in the garden can bring not only harm, but also benefit - at least it can be used to make compost, which, in its essence, is an excellent fertilizer. Compost is made either in a special pit or in a specially equipped box, which will be discussed in this article. Together with the site, we will deal with the question of how to make the right compost box with your own hands?

Compost box in the country photo

DIY compost bin: what to make of

To make compost in the country, people use various materials at hand. Some simply dig holes and throw the torn out weeds into them, others adapt old ones for this purpose (barrels, boxes, etc.), and still others take the business of making compost so seriously that they build special boxes for this purpose. Naturally, the most optimal material for the manufacture of this device is wood - of course, they do not buy it on purpose, but used it. For example, they disassemble unnecessary wooden products - in most cases for building and other materials. The board used for them is usually good and for such a device it suits perfectly well - a box for compost from pallets serves for a very long time.

Compost box from pallets photo

In addition to such wood, you will additionally need a wooden bar with a cross section of 50 by 50 mm, a large self-tapping screw, trimming of the UD gypsum plasterboard profile (guides will be made from them, which will allow easy access to the finished compost, which is usually located at the bottom of the box). Also, it will not be superfluous to think about tools - the boards will need to be cut, and the screws will need to be screwed. In addition, you will need a shovel to install the shields - in principle, this is a standard country tool that is available in any country house. And one more thing - despite the fact that solid wood is used for the manufacture of pallets, it will not be superfluous to take care of its safety. Soak it with an antiseptic compound and, if possible, paint - after such processing of the wood, the compost box made from it will serve for a very long time. You can see how a compost bin is made with your own hands in this small video.

How to make a compost box with your own hands: dimensions and markings

In principle, no one will give you any exact dimensions of compost bins - for the most part, their dimensions are determined by the area of the dacha (or rather, the amount of grass pulled out per year) and the size of the source material. You have boards 2000mm long, which means that the dimensions of the box should be adjusted to fit them. This will not work with pallets, since their width is about 1000 mm - not enough, of course, but there is a way out. You just have to do not a single box, but a double one. On the one hand, this is even better - you get a two-year compost bin. You load the grass into one this year (next season it will be used as a ready-made fertilizer), and the cut grass will be loaded into the second compartment. This gives you the right amount of compost.

How to make a compost box in the country photo

As far as the design of the compost bin is concerned, we have decided on it. Now you can safely do the preparatory work. They are not complicated and all you have to do is three things.

First of all, mark in the selected place of the summer cottage a rectangle with a size of 1115mm by 2230mm and install four pins in its corners, on which to pull the thread.
According to the stretched thread along the long side of the box (on both sides), at a distance of 1115mm from any corner, install a couple more pins - these are the middle posts dividing the product into two equal parts.
Dig holes 300-400mm deep in the places marked with pins.

In principle, this is all the preparation, after finishing with which it will be possible to safely proceed to the manufacture of the box itself - this is what we will do next.

How to build a compost bin: DIY assembly

By and large, the process of making a compost box in the country with your own hands is not so difficult. It can be presented in the form of the following sequence of works.

Basically, this is all the right compost bin. The only thing that can be added here is to build a lid, which turns out to be a very useful addition - at least a compost bin equipped with a lid looks aesthetically pleasing. You yourself understand that without it it will be an ordinary heap of garbage, even though it is folded in a wooden box. This is optional - if you don't want a cover, so be it.

And to conclude the topic of how a compost pit is made with your own hands, I will say a few words about finished products of this type. If time does not allow you to build such a structure yourself, almost exactly the same box can be purchased at a hardware store. At the same time, it will cost twenty times more - making a box with your own hands, all you need to purchase are screws for wood. Everything else can be obtained absolutely free.

Sooner or later, every owner of a personal plot thinks about how to make a compost pit, because any soil is depleted over time and requires feeding, and no matter how compost can provide it, without thereby harming either the environment or the plants themselves, in contrast for example from chemicals. In addition, everyone can do it - this will not take you much time, effort, or money, the main thing is to decide in advance what kind of your pit will have and what it will be made of. And we will help you with this by writing out the maximum number of options along with instructions for their construction - you just have to choose and follow some rules.

Rules for arranging a compost pit on the site.

The pit should not be located:

in a conspicuous place (she will not decorate it),
next to a water source - a well, a well - otherwise the decay products of plants can get into the water, contaminating it, the minimum distance is 20 m;
near a house, a gazebo and other places where you often visit, as an unpleasant smell can come from it;
in a place too open for the sun, otherwise the compost will not rot, but dry out.

The pit must "breathe", therefore, its bottom (walls) should not be covered with bricks or slate.

Option number 1, how to make a compost pit in the country - a hole in the soil.

The simplest, which does not require anything for itself except a shovel, option:

dig a depression in the soil - not too deep and not too wide, so it will be easier to look after the pit, standard dimensions (W × D × H) 1 × 2 × 1 m;
lay drainage on the bottom - branches, expanded clay or tree bark;
the compost pit is ready to use, fill it with everything you need and cover it with plastic wrap.

Option number 2 - a compost pit made of pallets for building materials.

Decide on the location of the pit arrangement and purchase (or simply pick up at the construction site) the necessary material.

Disassemble the pallets into their components - boards.

As a result, you should get an edged board-shalevka.

Cut the planks into meter-long pieces. The most convenient way to do this is with a circular saw, but in the absence of one, a regular saw will do. In total, you will need 14 such boards.

Use a jigsaw to make holes in the two planks according to the diagrams below.

Duplicate the holes in the rest of the boards: a rectangular cut is made on 6 elements at once, a diagonal cut on three, so that in the end you can assemble the structure shown in the diagram.

Make two more blanks of these sizes.

Treat all parts with moisture-resistant enamel or varnish with antifungal impregnation - this will extend the service life of the product.
When this / that is dry, start the assembly.

Install the boards vertically in relation to each other, lubricating the attachment points with mounting glue. Do not expose the front wall yet!

It should be dealt with at the very end, but without mounting glue. It is she who will provide free access to the compost at the right time, since it can be disassembled anywhere.

Option number 3 - a rotating homemade composter.

Suitable for all those who own a small plot of land and at the same time want to make their "life" as easy as possible, because the compost needs to be stirred periodically for proper maturation, which is much more convenient to do in a rotating drum than in a dug hole or knocked down wooden box.

So, instructions on how to make a compost pit with your own hands.

Prepare everything you need:

hacksaw;
circular saw;
hammer;
roulette;
metal mesh (any fencing with not too large cells is suitable) measuring 1 × 1.57 m;
drill;
plywood boards 60 × 60 cm - 2 pcs.;
staples, nails, glue;
boards;
steel reinforcement - 1.5 meters - and PVC 2 × 89 cm.

Cut two circles with a radius of 27 cm from the plywood boards.
Having cut the boards into pieces according to the sizes convenient for you, make the base of the structure so that when you hang the plywood circles, they do not touch the ground.

Fasten the joints of the boards and additionally coat with glue.

Make holes in the center of the plywood circles and insert the reinforcement into them. As a result, you should have a design like in the photo above.
Attach PVC to the reinforcement, and a mesh to the edges of the plywood sheets.

Secure.

Cut out the crossbeams of the drum and fasten them to the mesh, and then to the vertical supports.

To eliminate the possibility of injury during use, cover the sharp open areas of the structure with adhesive tape.

The rotating homemade composter is ready.

Option No. 4 - a concreted compost pit.

The most durable option possible.

For its arrangement:

dig a hole 3 × 2 meters, 60-80 cm deep;
along its contour, equip the formwork at a height that suits you and fill it with a solution of sand, cement and crushed stone; for more convenience in using the compost pit, we recommend making it two-section, i.e. pour, in addition to the external walls, another internal one, dividing the structure in half;
make a lid, and in the case of a two-section pit - two (one for each section), only necessarily ventilated, ideally if it is a mesh framed with a metal or wooden frame, but you can also use a simple wooden one, only in this case do not forget to drill in it ventilation holes.

Option number 5 - "lazy" compost pit.

For its construction, all the same building pallets that were used in the second version will be useful, only in this case you do not need to disassemble them! On the contrary, these pallets need to be held together.

And now, in order.

Choose a location where the compost will be located. To accelerate its ripening, remove the top fertile soil layer there. But if you are not in a hurry or lazy, you do not need to do this.
Take 2 pallets and join their corners perpendicular to each other.

Wire them together.

Then, in the same way, attach the 3rd pallet to them, so that together they form the letter "P".

With the last action, close the perimeter with the 4th pallet, but not completely, but so that you have enough space for 1 person to pass.

That is, the 4th will be tied to other pallets only on one side.

To give strength to the structure, drive a supporting peg / post under the "free" side of the 4th pallet, or even better, into each corner.

Everything, the structure is ready to accept grass, leaves, etc., in order to turn it into useful compost in the future.

Option number 6 - how to make a compost pit from a building mesh and film.

Another simple option that even a woman can cope with.

All you need is a film (preferably dark), a rectangular piece of construction mesh, wire and paper clips (clothespins, stationery clips).

Lay the existing piece of building mesh flat on the ground and attach the film to it, securing it around the perimeter with paper clips (clothespins or stationery clips).
Connect the ends of the mesh together to form a circle, and tie them with wire.
Place the finished compost pit in the desired location - it's ready to use.

If you wish, you can plant a climbing plant next to such a composter, when it grows up and woven into the net, you will get a very beautiful natural decor.

In general, describing the methods of creating a compost pit and composters can be infinitely long, since this is not a structure that requires any clear calculations or the use of certain materials. It can be created from which it is convenient, the main thing is not to clog ... and so, remove the fertile layer of earth (or you can not do it), drive 4 pegs in the corners of the rectangle, standard (W × L) 1 × 2 m, and build the walls from any material at hand (slate, old unnecessary furniture, siding, etc., etc.), just do not forget to drill a couple of holes, if the selected material is not ventilated, the composter is ready.

P.S. To speed up the decay processes, it is recommended to cover the described design with a film or provide for some kind of cover, although again you can do without all this.

Video.

Must have in its area, or already has a compost heap. This structure helps a lot in the life of a summer resident, because due to it, gardeners always have a good supply of organic fertilizer, without adding any chemistry, and other harmful environment for the human body.

This fertilizer is very easy to prepare if summer residents already have a serf heap. In the compost heap, summer residents lay waste of dacha life of plant origin, as well as food waste, surplus harvest of fruit trees such as apple and pear. Some lovers of summer cottage life, for example, lay in the composter the most sawn branches, having previously chopped them up with a hatchet, and also add sawdust and wood shavings. A rotten tree is also very beneficial for good plant growth in the garden beds. In general, everything that decays is added, and is of vegetable origin, and sometimes not only of vegetable origin.

And so how is the compost pit arranged, but everything is as usual as easy as shelling pears. This system includes several bunkers, or boxes with open air access, and usually in the open air, because atmospheric precipitation only accelerates the process of overflowing the contents of the bunkers. This means that the first box is used for loading the working material, and subsequent processing by means of decay of plant material. And the second box is already used for storing the finished fertilizer, and for ease and simplicity of removing the contents from the box, it is made collapsible from the working side.

That is, in essence, all the simplicity and availability of this design.

Knowing about the enormous benefits of a compost pit for a summer cottage, the author decided to erect a similar structure on his land plot. To always have fresh ecological fertilizer for your garden, and not to buy chemical stimulants of plant and vegetable growth.

The author decided to save as much as possible, and to build this building from waste material, such as pallets. This type of waste material has seriously established itself among the common people. What only people do not make of this material, imagination and possibilities are simply endless. Pallets can be obtained free of charge, which attracts people.

And so now we will consider what the author needed, and how he carried out the work on the creation of this structure.

Materials: pallets.
Instruments: circular saw, electric jigsaw, hammer, hacksaw.

And so, first of all, I prepared the pallets, which I cleaned up from a neighboring construction site, for which they even said thanks to him.

With the help of a nail puller, it cuts the pallets into separate planks.

Next, he proposes to consider the drawings of the future composter.

Then the author cuts the workpiece according to the specified dimensions on a circular saw.

And then proceeds to assemble the entire structure.

Glues small blocks to the glue.

Compost is a natural, environmentally friendly biofertilizer. Making a composter with your own hands for laying cut grass, weeds, branches is not difficult if you follow a certain scheme and technology. The main thing is that oxygen is supplied to the organic matter, and the humidity in the box is at least 55%.

Compost bin options

Today, do-it-yourself garden composters for summer cottages are becoming popular among the people, since they do not require special financial investments, they are made quickly from scrap materials. Tank options:

ordinary wooden box;
a plastic container in the form of a container with openings for free oxygen access and ventilation inside;
thermo-composter for keeping heat and performing chemical processes all year round.

The note! You can make and install on your own garden a wooden box or compost pit. The main thing is to decide on the purpose, to outline the basic requirements for production.

DIY garden composters are becoming popular

Compost bin requirements

The box is designed for storing waste, their gradual transformation into humus (nutrient medium) for plantings. This is the simplest and most compact design, unlike a conventional compost pit, where many summer residents still prefer to dump garbage for composting.

Benefits of a composter box:

the ability to drill side holes for ventilation and an unobstructed flow of oxygen;
the presence of a cover that prevents the ingress of atmospheric precipitation inside, the washing off of useful components into the soil.

A box with a lid or a composter for giving with your own hands according to the drawing can be built from 2 sections, one of which is with removable front boards. You can customize the compost bin for dumping heaps of rubbish to your liking.

The main requirements are:

A place. It is better to place the box away from direct sunlight.
Latitude. For faster maturation of the compost, the container must be wide.
A secure bottom so that waste does not go into the soil.
The presence of openings for unhindered access of air and oxygen to the lower layers of the compost.
Cover to prevent the useful components from being washed off by rain.
Impregnation. The tree rots quickly, so it is important to treat the bottom and walls with an antiseptic (hydrophobic impregnation). If the composter will be made of pallets or lumber, then the base must be flat.

Reference! Before installing a composter made of pallets, sheets of iron, plastic, slate, wood with a volume of 1 m3, it is necessary to level the land plot or make a concrete screed.

It is reasonable to equip the composter with a lid on top, which will give the structure not only an aesthetic appearance to the summer cottage, but also protect the contents of the box from the hot rays of the sun in summer, and will maintain optimal humidity inside.

DIY compost bin

Containers can be made from the following materials:

wooden boards;
pallets;
plastic barrels;
fruit boxes;
slats;
metal corners;
plastic;
polyethylene:
Rabitz;
pallets;
barrels;
plywood;
slate.

To make a reasonable choice of material, first of all, it is worth deciding which compost will be replaced for storage and for what purpose.

DIY compost bin

Today manufacturers offer different models of composter for summer cottages. But it's easier to make garden composters with your own hands, and here are the manufacturing options:

Wood planks

Wood is an affordable, easy-to-work material. You can make a structure of 2-3 sections. Why prepare:

edged board (thickness - 3 cm, width - 9-10 cm);
bars (thickness - 5 cm, length - 120 cm, 8 pcs.);
nails;
screws;
fine-meshed plaster mesh;
special impregnation to prevent wood from rotting later;
handle, hinges for the production of the box lid;
paint (enamel, oil) to make the box look aesthetically pleasing;
dry branches to create drainage;
latches (3 pcs.) or a locking mechanism, if you produce a box with doors for easy extraction of fertilizer from the structure.

To make a wood composter:

dig the supports into the ground to a height of 0.2 m;
fill the boards, leaving gaps or drill holes when building a blind structure;
make the bottom for the box from slate;
line up the door at the bottom.

Board boxes

You can make a garden composter with your own hands from boards from the boxes, having previously disassembled them into planks, collecting a simple ventilated structure of 4 walls, leaving a distance between the planks of 0.7-1 cm. The following steps:

make 2 partitions for dividing the box into 3 compartments;
hang the lower part of the front wall of the box on the hinges for unhindered dumping of the contents, easy opening of the door;
make a cover of 2 slopes, leaving the first stationary, the second - attach it to ordinary window hinges so that the cover does not sag at the moments of tilting and rests on the adjacent slope;
screw self-tapping screws and galvanized brackets to the side posts;
attach the lower and upper part of the front wall to the hinges;
collect the floor or bottom of the box from the slab, leaving slots for water to drain;
nail down wooden blocks and props without placing the structure on bare ground;
send the bottom with a metal mesh with cells to avoid gnawing by rodents and to increase ventilation properties.

Pallets

Assembling the composter from pallets is not particularly difficult. The main thing is to find the optimal place for placement so that the laid compost does not dry out in the sun.

For manufacturing it is necessary:

loosen the soil at the installation site in order to ensure free access to worms, microorganisms from the soil for waste processing;
pick up 4 solid pallets, 120 × 100 cm in size, 3-14 cm thick;
make pallets in the form of a cube, placing the long side horizontally on the ground;
connect together with galvanized nails, screws, metal plates;
attach to pre-installed racks;
make cuts with a jigsaw;
assemble the structure, setting the boards in a vertical position and 1 side - at an angle;
foam the seams with assembly glue;
install the box;
paint with an antifungal solution for a long service life;
hang a lid for easy transfer of the container to another place if necessary.

When assembling all the walls of the composter from a barrel, pallets, it is better to mount hooks for easy locking and opening.

Worth knowing! Wooden pallets do not need to pick nails and screws. The boards are attached with assembly glue.

When assembling all the walls of the composter from a barrel, pallets, it is better to mount hooks

Slate

Slate is a durable material. Before manufacturing, it is worth choosing the optimal place, digging a hole and measuring the size, then:

install supports made of metal pipes in small recesses;
lay slate sheets around the perimeter of the pit;
divide the resulting container into 2-3 parts from the same slate sheets.

The note! According to a special scheme, you can similarly build a compost box from polypropylene pipes.

Concrete

The compost pit can be simply concreted, which will last for decades.

For production:

make a pit 3 m long, 2 m wide, 7-8 cm deep;
make formwork inside the pit;
prepare a cement mortar composed of gravel, sand, cement, diluted with water;
fill the formwork with mortar;
build a cover for the pit from a chain-link mesh or wooden boards, leaving gaps between them so that normal ventilation is not disturbed.

Advice! Slate is not an environmentally friendly and rather fragile material. Best used only for the roof, top of the box. Also, the metal quickly attracts heat to itself. If used for the walls of the box, then it is imperative to leave gaps so that oxygen is constantly supplied to the humus raw materials.

Professionals advise:

It is not recommended to use plastic in the production of composting devices. Plastic is not an environmentally friendly material that releases toxins. Low air permeability. If used to equip the side walls of the box, then do not forget about making holes.
It is not wise to make a compost bin from purchased, expensive materials. For example, old boards are an excellent material with a long service life, and from solid boards they will last even longer.
If made from slate, then the content in it will be rewired more slowly. Whatever material is used, the main thing is that it does not heat up much, does not accelerate the process of compost maturation. Otherwise, the grass will begin to burn out quickly in the box, and the soil, when such fertilizer is applied, will turn sour.
The bottom of the container must be made of non-rotting material and without a strong deepening into the ground. Any contact of the compost with the soil is unacceptable. It is better if the door of the drawer matches its width. It is important to get a dense and homogeneous compost at the exit after overheating, so the door should be easy to open (close) in order to easily add a new layer of grass on top or level it at the bottom.
Build containers of 1 cube in size from 3 compartments. In one it will be possible to store the remnants of rotted vegetation, in the other - compost, in the third - humus.
It is reasonable to place the composter in the country 9-10 m from the house and 18-20 m from the water.
It is important to make ventilation holes in the container to ensure a free flow of air inside and cover it with a lid to prevent precipitation from entering, washing off nutrients from the compost into the soil.

On the Internet, you can find diagrams, photos, videos of various options on how to make attractive garden composters from tires, barrels, pallets and boards in the country with your own hands. The main purpose of the purpose is to end up with high-quality fertilizer, therefore, before production, it is important for gardeners-summer residents to decide how the structure is made, for example, according to Finnish technology, Russian or other, will be the best option.