Recycling is the best practice for saving the environment as well as your pocket. We know that organic gardening top-ups the resources of the soil and makes the soil rich. Organic gardening is nothing but avoiding synthetic products, fertilizers and pesticides for growing and maintaining the plants.
Compost is a key element of organic gardening. Compost is made up of decomposed organic matter and it is used as a fertilizer. You can make compost from organic waste such as tree leaves, grass clippings, waste paper, leftover food materials, etc. There is a requirement of bin for making compost, which also can be prepared by using recycled materials, such as recycled wood products. You can customize the sizes of the bin as per your requirement. This practice not only helps the nature, but also gives you the self satisfaction.
Here is a brush up on how to build a garden compost bin from junk.
Difficulty Level: Easy: (For first timers. Anyone can do it)
Time required: Three to four hours
Resources required
1. Five wooden pallets
2. Screw Gun
3. ‘L’ bracket
4. Zip Ties
5. Scissors for cutting polythene sheet or garden netting
6. Old polythene sheet or garden netting
7. Leather Gloves for hand safety
8. Hand Saw
9. Hook and eye lash
10. Stapple Gun with suitable staples
Estimate cost
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You can use all old recycled materials. There is no need to purchase any special costly materials. If any of the equipment such as ‘screw gun’ is not there take it from your neighbor.
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You need to purchase ‘L’ brackets, wood screws, hook and eye lash and zip ties, etc. small things. So, the cost of this project is below $20.
Instructions
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You can build up a compost bin easily for your backyard by using old wooden pallets.
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Pick up some five equal-sized old wooden pallets from your local hardware store or grocery store.
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Wear leather gloves to protect your hands.
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Select a suitable place for placing compost bin in your backyard.
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Keep all the required materials handy at one place before starting your project.
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You need to make a hinge door for this compost bin. For making this hinge door, cut one pallet at height wise middle distance with hand saw.
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Place the bottom pallet on a flat surface.
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The door should come at the front of the bin. Place half portion of the pallet that was cut as mentioned above on the front edge of bottom pallet and attach it to the bottom pallet with ‘L’ shaped brackets by using wood screws and ‘Screw Gun’.
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Keep one full pallet on the back edge of bottom pallet and attach the back pallet to the bottom pallet with ‘L’ shaped brackets by using wood screws and ‘Screw Gun’.
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Similarly, attach the side pallets to the bottom pallet with ‘L’ shaped brackets by using wood screws and ‘Screw Gun’.
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For giving more strength, tie both the pallets tightly with ‘Zip ties’ and cut extra tie with scissors.
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Tie the corners of the all side pallets with ‘Zip ties’ and cut extra tie with scissors.
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Now attach the door, i.e., other half portion of the pallet that was cut as mentioned above and attach it to the right side pallet by means of two heavy duty strap hinges with the help of wood screws and ‘Screw Gun’.
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Now attach the ‘hook’ to the door at other side of the hinges.
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Attach the ‘eye latch’ to the left side pallet for keeping the door shut.
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Make sure the door is tight fit when locked.
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Take some waste polythene sheet or garden netting and wrap around the bin.
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Staple the polythene sheet or garden netting to all sides of wooden bin by means of a staple gun.
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Now, your bin is ready and you can put the compost material.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Why compost is preferred for organic gardening?
A: Compost is a key element of organic gardening. It enhances the resources of the soil and makes the soil rich.
Q: What are the materials that can be put to prepare compost?
A: Any degradable organic matter such as tree leaves, grass clippings, waste paper, leftover food materials, etc.
Q: What are the materials that can be used for making recycled compost bins?
A: You can use waste wooden pallets, shipping pallets, old aluminum sheets, etc. But, wood is most preferred as sheet materials may be rusted and damaged due to continuous wetness in the bin.
Quick tips
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You need to rollover your compost materials once in a week for proper mixing of the contents to form quick homogeneous compost.
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Frequently spray little water on the compost materials to keep the compost wet for speedy decomposition.
Things to watch out for
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The area where you place the compost bin should be easily accessible.
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Please make sure that its stinking smell should not disturb your neighbor.
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Your compost should not be in full sun as it will dry out.
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Make sure for your security while using power tolls.
