How To Make A Compost Bin

by Mike Lieberman

Post image for How To Make A Compost Bin

The following instructions on how to make a compost bin can be scaled up or down based on the space that you have. Since I was dealing with the small space of my kitchen, I used a smaller 10 gallon garbage can. If you have more space, you can use a bigger can. The same concepts apply.

Making your own compost is a great way to cut into your out of pocket costs when starting a vegetable garden.

The tools and materials to build an indoor compost bin:

    Tools

  • Drill with 1/4″ bit
    Materials

  • 10 gallon metal garbage can
  • Black and white newspaper
  • Rubber mat
  • Organic potting mix
  • Composted organic manure
  • Old furniture legs
  • Food scraps
    Building the bin went down like this

  • Drilled holes in the bottom of the garbage can. Supposedly this allows for aeration and to help the compost do it’s thing.
  • Shredded the newspapers by hand.
  • Set up mat and rested garbage can on the furniture legs.
  • Put in first layer of newspapers and some of the potting mix.
  • Added a layer of the food scraps (Totally forgot to take a picture of this part).
  • Sprinkled some of the composted manure.
  • Covered with layer of newspaper and potting mix.
  • Food layer. Then another layer of newspaper and soil.
  • Closed up and done.

If you are interested in composting, but don’t want to build your own check out the Worm Factory 360.

  • Alexandra
    I'm trying to make a compost pile for myself. It's great to see us Americans (though I now live in a Berlin apartment) trying to help the environment and ourselves by growing our own food. Keep up the good, green work!
  • Mike Lieberman
    Thank you!
  • Finereem
    you do inspire me really, thanks a lot.
    But I'm wondering is it possible to grow my own greens and veggies without using compost
  • Mike Lieberman
    It is possible as long as your initial potting soil has compost in it, but it will eventually get used up and the plants won't have any more food. So you'll be able to grow some.
  • Mommyrocker
    Where in the world do i get composted manure????
  • Mike Lieberman
    Check your local nursery and/or hardware stores. They should definitely have some in a bag. Also might check out some local horse riding academies, they usually have some that they either give away for free or on the cheap.
  • Finaly I was looking for a way to make compost at home because I live in a cold city where winters are long and snowy. I could make compost during summer, and now I can make compost during winters too!
  • Mike Lieberman
    Awesome. Glad you found the info helpful.
  • Kevin
    Nettles will help your decomposition along a lot better. You can grow Nettles in a pot, clip the leaves and add them before each layer. This will also help keep the smell down if composting indoors. You can use Nettles for outdor in-ground, box, or barrrell composting. Just a little Va. Beach FYI.
  • Mike Lieberman
    Thanks for the tip. Grew some nettles last year and used them in teas.
  • gardenbeet
    hey - am wondering about smell? a problem or not? also do you turn it?
  • Mike Lieberman
    If it's managed properly, there will be no smell. When I first started, I overloaded it with food scraps which caused the smell, but was able to get rid of that problem rather quickly. I'd turn it with an old broom stick handle and hand shovel.
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