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An eight to twelve foot length of rabbit wire and a tall enough stake
to secure the wire fence are all that is need to construct a simple
compost bin. The rabbit wire fencing should be around thirty inches
tall. A ten foot length creates a bin approximately three feet in
diameter, so choose a length that best fits your area. Multiple smaller
bins are better than one large, if space allows, since the compost
decomposes faster (better aeration), and the bins can be started at
different times to
provide a continuous supply of ready compost. Rabbit Wire Bin For a nicer look, buy sixteen feet of 2x2 cedar and five 1x6 cedar (do NOT use toxic pressure-treated material). Cut the 2x2s in half, and cut the 1x6 as follows: 4 - two 25-inch pieces, one 23 1/2 1 - four 23 1/2 inch pieces Predrill and screw the 23 1/2 inch pieces to a pair of 2x2, evenly-spaced. This should look like a simple ladder (do this for both sets of 2x2s -- see picture). Attach old screen chicken wire, or hardware cloth to the open spaces in the 'ladder' (if you have a compost-loving dog, screen might not not be enough of a deterrent). Stand up the two 'ladders' on their sides and pre-drill and screw the 25-inch pieces across these, lining up with the attached 23 1/2 inch slats, and inserting your screen as you go. Add a few extra screws on the bottom, or some metal corners, since you'll rock the bin to loosen your compost when it is ready and it should handle the abuse without coming apart. When the compost is ready, as suggested, tilt the bin and rock it until the compost loosens and spills out. If the compost is very fibrous or dense, you might need to tip the bin on its side and loosen the compost with a shovel or pitchfork. But most of the extraction can usually be done by tipping, turning, and rocking the bin. When all the compost is out, simply rotate the bin to a nearby location and start more compost. |