Here’s the deal, I’m kinda cheap, I don’t like throwing things out and I don’t like hanging out at Home Depot. So, what’s a guy like me going to do… build a compost block bin with extra stuff lying around my house of course. Below are a few pictures and instructions on how I built mine. If you build your own it will look completely different depending on the scraps you have in your yard.

Important aspects of the block bin:
1. It’s basically a compost pile with three walls, the walls allow more compost in a smaller area. It also allows you to get in from one side and turn your compost right from the bottom.
2. The walls are porous, air flow is important and this allows the compost to breathe.
3. It’s on the ground so worms and bugs can find their own way in, remember they are your little compost workers.
4. It’s location, hopefully out of the way unless you like looking at it all the time.

Materials:
1. Wood - I had several 2X2 scraps I’d scavenged from a neighbors old deck
2. Screws – Just old deck screws
3. Chicken wire

Tools:
1. Axe or sledge hammer – for pounding in my stakes
2. staple gun – for attaching the chicken wire
3. Saw – to cut your wood to length
4. Drill or Screw Driver – Depending on how much exercise your wrist needs

For my compost block bin I already had two sides built so I’m just adding the last one in the pictures you’ll see below.

Step 1 – Cut Corner Stakes
Cut your corner stakes to length and then cut the ends on an angle to create a point so it will be easier to pound into the ground. Mine were only about 2.5 feet long.

Step 2 – Install Corner Stakes
Using your axe or sledge pound your stakes into the ground about 6 to 8 inches to create a frame for your block bin. The size and shape depends on your location. Try to keep the stakes as vertical as possible.

Step 3 – Walls
Install horizontal 2x2’s to create your three walls. I staggered mine for airflow and fastened them to the stakes with regular deck screws. The walls will provide strength to your compost block bin.

Step 4 – chicken wire
Now staple your chicken wire to the inside of your walls. This provides plenty of airflow but still keeps the majority of dirt in the bin.

Step 5 – Compost
Now cut your lawn, weed your garden, rake your leaves, save raw fruit and veggie scraps and throw it all in your compost block bin. You’ll be surprised how much material you’ll throw into it and before long you’ll be sifting through beautiful rich soil.

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