DIY compost bin

Editor Jane Wrigglesworth and her handyman dad make a smart looking compost bin to recycle kitchen and garden waste.

I’ve been composting for a while, and in my opinion you can never have too many compost bins. I have three in total, and all get used for different purposes. This bin is very easy to use; the front slats can be removed for easy access.

You need:

• 2 x 1.8m x 100mm x 100mm H4 rough sawn timber posts
• 4.2m x 150mm x 25mm H3.2 rough sawn timber
• 6.5m x 100m x 50mm rough sawn timber
• 3.6m x 50mm x 25mm H3.2 rough sawn timber
• 4 x finial fence caps (optional)
• 24 x 8g x 45mm countersunk screws
• 28 x 10g x 75mm countersunk screws
• 19mm x 2mm galvanised fence staples
• 2.5m x 900mm x 25.4mm wire mesh
• Saw
• Jigsaw
• Power drill
• Sandpaper
• Hammer
• Paint (we used Resene Lumbersider in Yucca)

Cutting measurements:

• From 100mm x 100mm timber, cut 4 x 900mm lengths (corner posts)
• From 150 x 25 timber, cut 6 x 700mm lengths (front gate boards)
• From 100 x 50 timber, cut 4 x 800mm lengths (side rails), 2 x 900mm lengths (back rails), and 1 x 1015mm length (front brace)
• From 50mm x 25mm timber, cut 4 x 900mm x 35mm x 25mm (front gate guides)

Step 1
Mark an indent on 5 of the front gate boards, as shown, 120mm in from sides and 60mm up from bottom edge. Cut out with a jigsaw. Sand the edges smooth.

Step 1

Step 2
Lay 2 corner posts on the ground, and line up the front gate boards. Place the remaining front gate board at the bottom. Mark the overhang, then cut.

Step 2

Step 3
Make the sides of the compost bin. Cut 2 x wire mesh pieces 800mm x 900mm each. Attach to the side rails with staples.

Step 3

Step 4
Make the back of the compost bin. Cut 1 x wire mesh piece 900mm x 900mm. Attach to the back rails with staples.

Step 4

Step 5
Place the front gate guides onto the front posts, at the edges, and screw in place using 45mm screws, using four screws per guide.

Step 5

Step 6
Place 1 post with guides on the ground, upside down. Place a corner post parallel to this. Position 1 side screen on top and fix with screws.

Step 6

Step 7
Staple the wire screen to the corner posts. Repeat step 6 on remaining corner posts and side screen.

Step 7

Step 8
Screw the back screen to the sides. Cut indents in the front brace, as shown below, so it sits snugly against post and front gate board. Screw in place. Apply 2-3 coats of Resene Lumbersider.

Step 8