The following instructions on how to make a compost bin can be scaled up or down based on the space that you have. Since I was dealing with the small space of my kitchen, I used a smaller 10 gallon garbage can. If you have more space, you can use a bigger can. The same concepts apply.
Making your own compost is a great way to cut into your out of pocket costs when starting a vegetable garden.
The tools and materials to build an indoor compost bin:
- Tools
- Drill with 1/4″ bit
- Materials
- 10 gallon metal garbage can
- Black and white newspaper
- Rubber mat
- Organic potting mix
- Composted organic manure
- Old furniture legs
- Food scraps
- Building the bin went down like this
- Drilled holes in the bottom of the garbage can. Supposedly this allows for aeration and to help the compost do it’s thing.
- Shredded the newspapers by hand.
- Set up mat and rested garbage can on the furniture legs.
- Put in first layer of newspapers and some of the potting mix.
- Added a layer of the food scraps (Totally forgot to take a picture of this part).
- Sprinkled some of the composted manure.
- Covered with layer of newspaper and potting mix.
- Food layer. Then another layer of newspaper and soil.
- Closed up and done.
So you’re not using worms? I need to start indoor composting – my food scraps are piling up in the freezer and fridge…
I’m using worms now. I wasn’t before. What kind of scraps you have in the freezer. You can make a veggie broth from them or fruit scrap vinegar.
Hey Mike, will this set-up produce a smell?
If you put too much food in, yes. If you keep a nice balance…no.
How long do you need to wait to use the compost?
Roughly 3 months.
When drilling a hole in the bottom- how are you keeping the compost from pouring out?
It just doesn’t pour out.
well this sounds like a better idea than i was using i will amend mine. also would adding worms to this be a bad idea?
That can definitely work.
could u show us your bin pic?