Marcia mentioned "compost bin envy". So I thought I would discuss it. I built a really bad one many years ago. It kind of just fell sideways... Who wants a bad compost bin?
So when I decided to build a new one, I gave more thought to structure and support. That time, I drew on paper, saw weaknesses and corrected them. Sometimes, I can just "build" something, sometimes, there need to be plans...
So that time, I thought in terms of repeatable pieces. So I thought of 2 backs, 2 outsides and a middle one, all the same. Easier construction; just make the same thing 5 times. And since I had a 4' roll of 1/4" wire mesh, that defined the size...
So I made 5 identical frames of 2" framex4" pressure-treated wood and attached the wire mesh. After looking at them, I decided to add an angled 2"x2" diagonal braces to each.
The corners are 4'x4" posts, buried about a foot deep. I dug larger holes for those than required, but it gave me some wiggle room for bad measurements. Nothing actually ever fits quite like the measurements suggest they will.
The pieces in front had 1" boards to create slots for removable front boards. So I could slide them up and get at the lower compost.
Then I built hinged tops with more wire mesh in frames. Those were kind of heavy. But it occurred to me that counter-weights on the back would balance the weight of the tops. Two more 2"x4" boards attached to the tops supported 4"x4" posts on the back.
Mike McGrath (former editor of Organic Gardening magazine) had a once a week 5 minute radio spot at the time and mentioned building compost bins. So I sent him pictures of my new one. The next week, he mentioned mine saying it was the best one he ever saw! High praise.
I only mention all this because someone might want to build (or have someone build) a similar one. It really is a gem.
I posted about the entire process of building it at the time. If you want to build a similar one, here is the starting link...
It starts at compost-bin-part 1 and moves several posts forward from there. I hope the explanations of the construction are clear enough. An average DIYer or handyman can easily follow the steps.
It is easier than it may seem from all the pictures. I tried to be very detailed about it.
If you build one or have someone build one, I sure would love to see the pictures...
