Pallet compost bin. DIY compost heap

A competent summer resident knows for sure that weed grass in the garden can bring not only harm, but also benefit - at least it can be used to make compost, which, in essence, is an excellent fertilizer. Compost is made either in a special pit or in a specially equipped box, which will be discussed in this article. Together with the site site, we will deal with the question of how to make the right compost box with your own hands?

Compost box in the country house photo

DIY compost bin: what to make

To make compost in the country, people use various improvised materials. Some simply dig holes and throw torn weeds into them, others adapt old ones (barrels, boxes, etc.) for this purpose, and still others take the matter of making compost so seriously that they build special boxes for this purpose. Naturally, the most optimal material for the manufacture of this device is wood - of course, they don’t buy it on purpose, but use a used one. For example, they disassemble unnecessary wooden products - in most cases for building and other materials. The board used for them is usually good and for such a device it fits perfectly - a pallet compost box lasts a very long time.

Pallet compost bin photo

In addition to such wood, you will additionally need a wooden beam with a section of 50 by 50 mm, a large pile of self-tapping screws, trimmings of the UD drywall profile (guides will be made from them, which will allow you to get easy access to the finished compost, usually located at the bottom of the box). Also, it will not be superfluous to think about tools - the boards will need to be cut, and the screws to be screwed. In addition, you will need a shovel to install shields - in principle, this is a standard country tool that is available in any country house. And one more thing - despite the fact that solid wood is used for the manufacture of pallets, it will not be superfluous to take care of its safety. Impregnate with an antiseptic composition and, if possible, paint - after such processing of wood, a compost box made from it will last a very long time. You can see how to make a compost bin with your own hands in this short video.

How to make a compost bin with your own hands: dimensions and layout

In principle, no one will give you any exact dimensions of compost bins - for the most part, their dimensions are determined by the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe cottage (or rather, the amount of grass pulled out per year) and the size of the source material. You have boards with a length of 2000 mm, which means that the dimensions of the box should be adjusted to fit them. This will not work with pallets, since their width is approximately 1000mm - not enough, of course, but there is a way out. You just have to do not a single box, but a double one. On the one hand, this is even better - you get a two-year compost bin. In one you load the grass this year (next season it will be used as a ready-made fertilizer), and the mowed grass will be loaded into the second compartment. Thus, compost in the required quantity is at your disposal.

How to make a compost bin in the country

This is with regard to the design of the compost bin - we have decided on it. Now you can safely do the preparatory work. They are not difficult, and all you need to do is three things.

1. First of all, mark a rectangle with a size of 1115mm by 2230mm in the selected place of the summer cottage and install four pins in its corners, on which to pull the thread.
2. According to the stretched thread along the long side of the box (on both sides), at a distance of 1115 mm from any corner, install a couple more pins - these are the middle racks that divide the product into two equal parts.
3. Dig holes 300-400 mm deep in the places marked with pins.

In principle, this is all the preparation, having finished with which it will be possible to safely proceed to the manufacture of the box itself - this is what we will do next.

How to build a compost bin: do-it-yourself assembly

By and large, the process of making a compost box in the country with your own hands is not so complicated. It can be presented in the form of the following sequence of works.

In principle, this is the whole correct compost bin. The only thing that can be added here is to build a lid, which will turn out to be a very useful addition - at least a compost bin equipped with a lid looks aesthetically pleasing. You yourself understand that without it it will be an ordinary pile of garbage, even though it is folded into a wooden box. This is optional - if you don't want a lid, so be it.

And in conclusion of the topic on how a compost pit is made with your own hands, I will say a few words about finished products of this type. If time does not allow to build such a structure on your own, almost exactly the same box can be purchased at a hardware store. At the same time, it will cost twenty times more - when making a box with your own hands, all you need to purchase is self-tapping screws for wood. Everything else can be obtained absolutely free.

Compost box. How to make a compost box with your own hands: drawings, photos, videos, options for making a composter.

This homemade product will be of interest primarily to summer residents and owners of garden plots, because we will talk about fertilizers for the soil, in particular compost.

Compost is a product of the decomposition of organic matter under the influence of microorganisms, in fact, compost is the best organic fertilizer.

To get high-quality compost, when building a compost box with your own hands, you need to follow simple rules:

The main condition for the maturation of compost is the flow of oxygen into the compost heap, oxygen is necessary for the vital activity of microorganisms, therefore, when making a compost box, it is necessary to provide side ventilation holes in the structure.

Another advantage of using a box is that precipitation will not wash fertilizers into the soil, all valuable substances will remain in the box, and you will get really good compost. Therefore, it is desirable to equip the box with a lid.

Compost matures faster at the bottom of the compost heap, so you need to think about access to the bottom layer in the box, equip the box with a door or removable boards.

For compost maturation, the best place to place the compost bin is in a shady area at the edge of a vegetable garden or orchard.

Drawings of a box for compost.

Consider a few blueprints for making a wooden compost box.

One piece compost bin.

Multi-section compost bin.

You can build a box from old boards, timber, you can use boards from wooden pallets, you can use any wood that is on the farm.

The composter can be made 2 - 3 x sections, while fertilizer ripens in one section, ready-made compost can be used in the other.

Making a compost bin.

Consider, for example, the manufacture of the simplest composter. The design of the box consists of supporting pillars that are dug into the ground, the optimal height of the ground part of the pillars is 1.2 m. The pillars can be made from a bar 100 x 100 mm or logs.

But the lower part of the supports must be treated with an antiseptic, or used engine oil, so that the wood does not quickly rot. Alternatively, you can use the old-fashioned way, part of the pillars that will be in the ground can be charred at the stake, charred wood is more resistant to decay.

We attach the side walls to the supports, stuff the boards with nails or fasten them with self-tapping screws, it is advisable to leave a small gap of 1–2 cm between the boards for ventilation.

It is desirable to make the front wall of the box openable, this will greatly simplify the unloading of compost, it is enough to open the front door and you can collect compost with a shovel without much effort. Instead of a door, you can make removable boards, you need to nail the guide rails to the support posts and insert them into the grooves of the board.

For the composter, it is desirable to make a lid, we attach the lid to the box with canopies, we make a handle. Since wood is susceptible to decay, the box must be treated with a safe anti-fungal impregnation and preferably painted.

The do-it-yourself compost box is ready, the final stage is laying the compost. A layer (hay, grass, leaves) is laid on the bottom of the box, then tops and vegetable waste can be laid.

DIY compost bin options.

If the site has poor soil, then a container is built to create humus, which is an important part of any garden plot. The use of top dressing in the form of compost allows you to grow environmentally friendly plant and vegetable crops. Recommendations from experienced gardeners will help you understand how a do-it-yourself compost pit is created, the manufacturing options, photos and installation features of which can be considered in detail below.

Features of the design of the tank for compost humus

A compost pit is easily created with your own hands. In this case, manufacturing options can be seen in the photo. Simple products can be made from pallets, which are taken after the sale of building materials and purchased for a small amount.

It is important to choose the right location. It should be far from home. It should be a well-ventilated area. This will prevent bad odors. Containers from improvised materials are distinguished by high availability. The finished design allows you to dispose of weeds from the site.

Helpful information! The vegetation is compacted over time and, under the influence of bacteria and humidity, is converted into an excellent organic fertilizer. Perfectly is suitable for processing of different cultures in a kitchen garden or a garden.

What is the purpose of the pit?

An excellent method of recycling various garbage is a do-it-yourself compost pit. Manufacturing options, photos and drawings can be found in sufficient quantities on the Internet. This facility allows you to get high-quality fertilizers in the shortest possible time. In this case, cut grass, leaves and manure are used.

How to make a compost pit with your own hands: video and installation requirements

Many gardeners and summer residents are interested in the question: how to make compost pits correctly. Tanks are constructed from three parts. In this case, 8 columns are installed, which are treated with a protective solution. It can be fuel oil, engine oil and tar.

For one of the parties it is recommended to use a fence cloth. Partitions are made of boards in which holes for ventilation should be left. Doors are installed on all compartments. At the end of the work, you need to install handles and latches.

An important point is the installation of ventilation holes. Also, the container must be closed during precipitation with a special lid. For this, ordinary polyethylene film can be used.

You can make a product from pallets. To do this, they need to be disassembled. With the help of a circular machine, the boards are divided into separate blanks. All boards are fastened vertically. In this case, the front board is attached with an adhesive solution.

In order for the pallet product to remain stable, it is necessary to trim the planks at the bottom using a level. Compost pit according to Finnish technology differs from standard pits. It has several distinctive features. Filling must begin from the first compartment. When extracting humus, the container is filled from the adjacent compartment.

All processed material must be stirred periodically. Also, the container should maintain an optimal level of humidity.

Installation of such a structure consists of the following steps:

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Instructions for making a compost pit (box) with your own hands

Making your own compost pit is easy. Its arrangement involves the use of lightweight and inexpensive components. In the example below, a compost bin is created from pallets used in the construction industry for folding consumables. You can buy such pallets for a small amount or even get them for free by picking them up after unloading building materials.

making a compost pit with your own hands. A photo

If you do not yet know how to create a compost pit with your own hands, the step-by-step instructions below will tell you in detail about this procedure.

First thing choose a place, the most suitable for arranging a compost heap. This site should be located away from residential buildings and preferably in an area where winds predominate. This will eliminate the possibility of an unpleasant smell from the compost in the yard.

Follow drawing provided as an example to properly create a compost bin. Remember that it should have a presentable appearance, be easy to use, and be easy to dismantle when filled with organic waste.

do-it-yourself compost pit manufacturing options. A photo

Disassemble prepared wooden pallets by removing the connecting elements (nails). The result of such work will be the receipt of edged boards.

Use a circular saw to divide all boards into blanks about 1 m long. A compost bin will be created from them.

In order to assemble an integral structure from separate boards, two of them should cut out jigsaw rectangular holes. The photos and videos attached to the instructions will help the master navigate how to make cutouts in the remaining boards in order to accurately connect them to two cross beams.

do-it-yourself compost pit step by step with a photo

Mounting all boards (except for front ones) are carried out vertically, and they are fastened with mounting glue. The first (front) board is equipped at a slight angle to the entire structure, and without the use of an adhesive solution. Compliance with this condition is necessary to facilitate the disassembly of the structure. The device of the compost box of the described type allows you to easily rearrange it to another place, disassemble it after filling it with organic waste and vegetation residues.

In order to make a compost bin made of wooden pallets stable, during its installation in the area allotted for this, align the bottom boards of the finished box using a level.

As you can see, it takes very little effort to create a compost pit from waste materials from the construction industry. The finished compost bin looks decent, and makes it possible to dispose of all unnecessary vegetation from your own garden plot. Gradually compacted in such a container, and being under the influence of moisture and putrefactive bacteria, the vegetation turns into a high quality organic fertilizer, ideal for feeding garden vegetation.

How to make a compost pit. Video

Making a compost bin with your own hands

The issue related to the disposal of plant waste in the garden is of concern to most gardeners. It is not worth taking them out of the garden, because with the right approach, organic matter can be excellent. fertilizer. Folding unnecessary vegetation, as noted above, is better in a compost pit, which should be voluminous. We suggest considering the option of building a compost pit with your own hands, a step-by-step instruction for which will help even a beginner to carry out the procedure.

As an example, take the construction compost bin, consisting of three sections.

Set 8 wooden columns, having previously treated the lower part of each of them (the one that will be located underground) with a protective composition. Fuel oil, tar or used machine oil can be used as a protective solution.

If a fence strong and reliable on your personal plot, then its canvas can be used as a support for one of the sides of the compost bin bars (as shown in the photo). Actually, this option makes the task easier, eliminating the need to dig a few more holes for the posts.

The next step in creating a structure is the arrangement of sectional partitions. To do this, nail several boards to the supports, leaving necessarily between them small slots for ventilation. It should also be noted that in two compartments of the box small doors, therefore, its front part should be sheathed with boards only up to half the height.

The third compartment is equipped with a large door, and in this regard, it is worth nailing only one board at the bottom, front of the box.

The next stage of work is installation covers. The end sections of the sectional partitions, as well as the rear and front walls, are reinforced with crossbars.

do-it-yourself compost bin. A photo

Doors are hung, which also serve as compost bin covers. It is already clear that one large and two small doors will be located in front.

When creating a wooden compost bin, immediately take care that the wood does not become an integral component of organic fertilizers prepared from plant waste. The process of compost maturation involves the gradual decomposition of organic matter, and the tree also belongs to the components of natural, organic origin. And therefore, when constructing a three-section compost bin from boards, it is desirable to soak every detail well special composition deep penetration. It will protect the tree from moisture, putrefactive processes and harmful insects. It is not difficult to buy now a solution for the complex protection of wooden surfaces, but it should be remembered that it must be non-toxic. Then organic fertilizer (compost) will turn out to be of high quality.

After the boards are soaked, the finished compost bin stained in a color that suits you. Paint is desirable to select non-toxic. It should be highly resistant to temperature extremes, not fade in the sun. Apply it to the box in two layers.

The last step in creating the structure is to hang the latches and handles. Compost pit from boards is completely ready for use!

Compost pit. Its equipment options

Now there are many different technologies for building compost pits with your own hands. Each owner of a summer house or a country house with a land plot chooses the type of construction that is ideally suited to the specific conditions of the area. Here are some of the most common types of compost pit equipment.

Option 1. It is rarely used, and mainly in cases where ready-made compost is supposed to be used no earlier than in 1.5-2 years. The essence of the work here is to dig a hole in a designated area. It should be similar in shape to a well, but not as deep.
The compost pit walls must be strengthened so that the soil does not collapse. The peculiarity of the pit prepared in this way is that in it the raw materials for fertilizer will ripen naturally, without human intervention. And therefore it is worth taking care of creating optimal conditions for the preparation of organic fertilizers. The walls of the finished pit begin to be sheathed at a height of 15-25 cm from the bottom, while no material is laid on the bottom itself. This will allow microorganisms and worms to penetrate from the soil into the folded vegetation residues unhindered.

If possible, it is better to create a compost pit in this way outside the house adjoining area, in a forest belt.

Option 2. In this case, a compost pit is equipped right in the garden. Many land owners note that this option is more convenient in the sense that organic fertilizers are unloaded from the pit as needed. The basis of the design is the formwork, and it can be made from any materials at hand. These can be plastic barrels or a box assembled from individual boards. The presented method also involves providing access to worms and microorganisms in the thickness of organic residues. And therefore, the soil is loosened before laying the vegetation, and the formwork structure is slightly deepened (by about 20-30 cm). The need for natural air circulation in the created box causes the leaving of slits between the plank structural elements, or the formation of holes in plastic surfaces.

Option 3. Another method of preparing organic fertilizers from plant residues is the creation of a so-called pile, or compost heap. This technology is considered the simplest, but when using it, hygiene requirements are not met. On the backyard territory, when choosing this method of preparing compost, the optimal site is selected, on which a substrate of gravel, sand or dry grass is immediately made. Plant waste is placed on top of it, and they are waiting for their overheating. Organic fertilizer reaches full readiness in two or more years. The difficulty lies in the fact that the pile has to be periodically mixed, and before the onset of winter, it is still necessary to insulate it so that microorganisms do not die under the influence of cold.

So, there are many options for equipping a compost pit, and the difference between them is both in terms of the materials used, and in terms of the size and features of its design. In any case, with the right approach, creating it yourself will not be difficult even for a novice master.

A do-it-yourself compost pit for its creation requires the presence of durable materials from which it would be possible to make the walls of a box in which plant residues will be stored. The previous sections have already described the possibilities of forming such structures from boards, building pallets or plastic barrels. There is another good way - a compost bin from slate waste. In the household, many zealous owners of summer cottages will surely have such. Slate leaves make an excellent base for the walls of a compost bin. In addition, a compost pit made of such material will turn out to be reliable and durable. To create a slate box with your own hands, we recommend doing the work in the following sequence:

Decide on the exact parameters designs. Remember that the pit should be such that all the plant waste collected from the site for two seasons (and sometimes more time) is placed inside it. Considering that a small pile of vegetation residues (tops, fallen leaves) is approximately 0.25 cubic meters in volume, then a pit for their processing can be made 1m * 1m * 1m in size. In this case, there will still be some room for food waste.

After choosing a territory, you need to do a little deepening in the soil (by 20-30 cm).

In the corners of the structure and in the central part are installed racks, created from thick tree branches or ordinary metal pipes of small diameter.

With the help of prepared slate sheets, walls compost box.

The compost matures in the pit for two years, and the slate partition, located in the middle of the box, makes it possible to use the internal space of the pit continuously. That is, the result of the work is a two-section slate box, each of the compartments of which is used in turn.

When studying the question of how to make a compost pit from certain materials, one should not forget about the requirements for such structures. First of all, when making a compost box, you need to take into account that organic matter needs a constant supply of air to ripen. Therefore, on the sides of the structure must be present ventilation holes. So that useful substances from the created organic fertilizer are not washed into the soil, it is advisable to cover the compost pit during rain lid. Instead of a lid, you can also use an ordinary plastic film, but in this case it will need to be somehow fixed around the edges to prevent it from being blown away by the wind. It should also be taken into account that the compost from the bottom matures faster, so easy access to the bottom of it should be provided. In the diagram above, you can see how the simplest compost bin works. Note that the boards located on the side are made removable, and the dimensions of the structure can be changed. As an option, you can consider creating a box with removable front boards.

There is also a way to create an opening box of a simpler design. In it, the loops will be made of durable strips of rubber or other elastic material. They are well fixed on the surface of the boards knocked together.

An economical option for creating a compost bin would be a product made of wooden pallets, the installation of which does not require special skills and a lot of time.

What can and cannot be thrown into the compost pit?

Having found out how a compost pit is made from various consumables, one cannot ignore the recommendations on what kind of waste can be thrown into it and which cannot.

A self-constructed compost pit will fully justify the purpose of its creation if the following types of organic waste are collected in it:

• Fallen tree bark, old leaves and small branches, needles, grass roots and small tree roots.
• Mature dung and bird guano.
• Grass and cut weeds.
• Leftover herbal tea or coffee.
• Cleaning vegetables and fruits, missing berries, fruits and vegetables.
• Ash left over from burning wood.
• Wood shavings, straw, sawdust, hay.
• Napkins, cardboard, paper bags and the paper itself.

As for those components that cannot be laid in a compost pit, then their list includes:

• Potato and tomato tops. Often it is infected with late blight spores, and laying it in compost in the future will lead to the spread of the disease throughout the garden plot, and the defeat of new seasonal vegetation with late blight.
• Products of inorganic origin that will not decompose under the influence of natural factors. These include metal, polyethylene bags, rubber and synthetics, components with a plastic base.
• Vegetation generously fertilized with chemicals.
• Thick branches that take a long time to rot.
• Weed seeds that have already passed the ripening stage.
• Feces of animals living in the house. They may contain inclusions in the form of bones or helminth eggs.

How to properly operate a compost pit?

In the previous sections of our article, we found out how to make a compost pit from improvised components, as well as what can be put into it and what is undesirable to put in a pit. Now it remains to identify those simple requirements that will help to properly operate the structure for storing compost throughout the year. Here they are:

• Try to periodically loosening compost garden pitchfork. This will ensure the flow of oxygen to the decaying organic matter. Stirring the waste will help speed up the decomposition process.
• The compost heap should be occasionally pour water. If the weather is dry and hot outside, then the amount of watering of the ripening compost should be increased. With regular moisture, the contents of the pit will rot better and faster. But dry compost completely stops its decomposition.
• If there is such an opportunity, then it is advisable to periodically lay in the thickness of rotting vegetation California worms. They will not only loosen the contents of the compost, but also partially process it.
• It is advisable to lay on top of the waste in the pit dark plastic film. Thanks to it, a greenhouse effect will occur in the thickness of the raw biomaterial, and as a result of it, the temperature inside the heap will increase significantly. The burnout of vegetation folded in layers will occur faster. At the same time, the presence of the film ensures the preservation of a moist environment in the compost, and prevents the growth of weeds there. The maturation period of a compost heap covered with a film is 3-4 months. If the pit with organic matter is not covered, then the process of waste maturation will stretch for a whole year.
• If possible, it is recommended to add to the compost pit special preparations, accelerating the decomposition of components. Among the most famous such compositions are Baikal EM-1, Sanex EcoCompost, Compostar, Compostin, Embionik.

With proper arrangement of the compost pit and regular maintenance of it, homeowners will be able to obtain high-quality fertilizer that does not contain harmful substances.

Compost pit with your own hands. Video

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DIY compost pit: manufacturing options and design requirements

In order to properly build a compost pit, you need to understand how the compost heap should be arranged. There are many options for making your own hands, but first of all, you should pay attention to the fact that it should consist of three parts. In this case, you need to install 8 support posts, each of which must be processed with a protective agent.

Helpful advice! Machine oil, fuel oil or even tar can be used as a protective composition for posts.

A fence can be used as a fence on one of the sides, and boards are better suited for the rest. Partitions are constructed from them, in which holes for ventilation are necessarily left. This contributes to the process of decay. Also be sure to install a door that allows you to access the compost.

Making a compost pit in the country with your own hands involves ensuring the proper level of ventilation and at the same time protecting the contents from precipitation. So that the compost heap does not turn into a swamp, it must be covered with a special lid of a suitable size during the rainy season. And if the weather conditions are not too severe, then it is quite acceptable to use plastic wrap for this purpose.

Another option is to use construction pallets that are pre-disassembled. Using a circular machine, the boards can be divided into individual elements, and then assembled from them into a suitable structure. In this case, it is better to fasten the boards vertically. The front board can be fixed with adhesive. To give stability to such a structure, it is necessary to use the building level and trim the lower slats.

It is also important that the height of the walls of a homemade composter be such that it is convenient for a person of any height to add, turn and remove compost.

Interesting! You can pay attention to the designs of compost pits made according to Finnish technology. In this case, some design features are of interest, for example, when you extract humus from one compartment, it is automatically filled with raw materials from the next one.

DIY compost pit: manufacturing options, photo examples

The type of compost pit is determined based on several factors. One of them is the installation method. Consider all the existing options:

• allocation of a certain place for organizing a compost pit. At the same time, a foundation pit is initially prepared, which is very similar to a well, but at the same time has a smaller depth. The walls of the pit are additionally strengthened to prevent shedding of the soil and are sheathed with an indent of 20-25 cm from the bottom. This distance is necessary in order to provide the microorganism with free access to waste;
• another option is to install a special container on the garden plot, designed to collect waste and process it into compost. This method allows you to get the finished product at any time. This design is based on a pit with formwork, as well as a special box made of boards. When implementing this option, it is extremely important to pay due attention to the organization of ventilation;
• a do-it-yourself compost heap is the easiest way to solve the problem. To do this, it is enough to make a substrate consisting of sand, gravel and dry grass. Waste is simply stacked on top, which over time will begin to rot.

You can make a compost bin with your own hands using many different technologies and instructions. The proposed designs may differ in the materials that are required for work, dimensions, properties and ease of use.

Helpful advice! Regardless of the type of structure chosen, before starting the laying of raw materials inside the structure, it is necessary to thoroughly loosen the bottom and install ventilation holes.

DIY compost bin: manufacturing options and instructions

Before making a compost pit with your own hands, it is advisable to consider as many options and designs as possible that can be used for this purpose. We will analyze in detail the instructions for making the most popular boxes made from various materials.

Garden compost bin: features of installation and operation

A garden composter may well be presented in the form of a large box, divided into several sections. Usually they make two or three compartments, but experts strongly recommend stopping at the option with three sections, since each of them has its own purpose: the first one is used for laying waste, the second one is for waste ripening, and the third one stores ready-made compost.

Depending on the individual wishes of the owner, the composter can be stationary or mobile (move on wheels). In this case, the recommended height of the box should not exceed 1 meter, and the size of each section should be about 1-1.5 meters.

Important! All wooden elements must be treated with a special protective compound, designed to provide the material with reliable protection against harmful insects, as well as moisture.

To make a compost bin with your own hands, you need to follow the following procedure:

1. 8 wooden blocks are dug into the ground;
2. With the help of boards, also previously opened with a protective compound, partitions are constructed. To do this, they are attached to supports at a certain distance from each other.
3. In the front part, two compartments should be sheathed only to the middle, and only one lower board is nailed to the third. Doors are mounted on the first two from above.
4. The back and end parts are completely sheathed.
5. The entire structure is covered with two layers of moisture-resistant paint.
6. Finally, handles, latches, etc. are attached.

At the bottom of such a box, drainage must necessarily be laid, which may consist, for example, of dry tree branches. Immediately after this, you can proceed directly to the laying of waste inside the structure.

How to make a compost pit in the country using wooden boards

A compost pit is an excellent solution, if necessary, not to spoil the appearance of the site with the appearance of a pile of waste. The formation of fertilizer in such a design takes much longer, and in order for the process to proceed as correctly and efficiently as possible, it is important to take care of the proper arrangement and ensure access to the right amount of oxygen in advance.

Work procedure:

1. First of all, it is necessary to dig a compost pit, the width of which will be 1.5 m, the length is 2 m, and the depth is about 1 meter.
2. In the corners, you need to dig in wooden blocks, observing an indent from the walls of 20 cm on each side.
3. In increments of 5 cm, boards are attached to these posts.
4. The resulting box is divided into two parts using a wooden shield.

The bottom of the compost pit is filled with a ten-centimeter layer of tree bark, branches and straw. Such a mixture will take on the role of drainage, which will remove excess moisture and additionally ventilate the raw materials.

Initially, only one of the compartments should be filled with waste. Then, when one is half full, the compost must be transferred to the second compartment. This procedure will allow you to enrich it with oxygen as much as possible.

Important! The bottom and sides of the composter do not need to be covered with anything so that earthworms can freely get inside, which take an active part in the waste processing process.

How to make a slate compost bin

Slate is a durable material that is great for creating a structure designed to collect and process organic waste into compost. The procedure for creating a suitable design consists of several stages:

• choosing a suitable location and taking measurements to determine the appropriate size of the pit;
• according to the marks, a not too large recess is dug, in the corners of which supports are installed, which can be used as boards or metal pipes;
• slate sheets are installed along the perimeter of the pit;
• using the same sheets, the resulting container is divided into several parts (two or three).

The use of this design is carried out in accordance with all the same recommendations that are given for compost pits made of wood.

How to make a concrete compost pit in the country

With a little more time and attention given to the process of arranging a compost pit, as a result, it can last several decades without any problems. To do this, it is enough to concrete it. You can do this in the following way:

• you need to dig a hole about 80 cm deep, 2 m wide and 3 m long;
• make a formwork inside the pit;
• then you need to prepare a solution consisting of sand, gravel and cement. To do this, pour 5 liters of water into a bucket and add 5 kg of sand and cement to it so that the ratio of dry components is 3: 1;
• the resulting solution is poured into the formwork;
• using wooden boards and a chain-link mesh (a metal frame is also suitable), a cover is being built for the pit.

It is very important that in the case of using boards for mounting the cover, there should be a distance between the elements necessary for normal ventilation.

Compost pit using Finnish technology: the secrets of mounting the structure

The main requirement for structures made according to Finnish technology is compliance with certain dimensions. The height and width of the box must be the same and be 1 m. This is extremely important, because in a smaller box the raw material will simply dry out, turning not into compost, but into dust. Large sizes are unacceptable for another reason - in this case, there is a risk of burning the contents from too high a temperature.

For the manufacture of such a structure, it is best to use wood. Slate in this case is not a very suitable option, since structures made from it are characterized by a longer period of waste decomposition. Again, a cheap and at the same time quite convenient option is a Finnish pallet compost pit.

Algorithm for assembling a compost pit using Finnish technology:

1. From wood pre-treated with antiseptic agents, a box frame of the desired size is assembled.
2. Then the finished frame is sheathed with boards. The boards are tightly placed only on the partitions separating the compartments. On the side walls, the boards should be located with an indent of 1 cm.
3. The back wall of the structure is also sewn up with boards at a distance of 1 cm.
4. The bottom of the box is covered using a slab. At the same time, it is also important to maintain some distance between the elements so that excess liquid can be effectively discharged.
5. In the lower part of the front wall of the structure, a small door is equipped, the height of which is usually 30 cm. It is fixed using ordinary door hinges.
6. The roof of the structure is made gable, while one of the slopes is attached to hinges so that it simultaneously acts as a door, making it possible to fill waste inside.

Interesting! In one box, the size of which is 1 × 1 m, you can prepare an amount of compost sufficient to fertilize a plot of land of 5-7 acres.

Compost pit-bio toilet: what is it?

Another special type of compost pit is a dry closet, which is able to turn human waste products into compost. It is a structure consisting of two containers, the volume of each of which is 80 liters.

The use of this type of dry closet is as follows: after visiting the toilet, you need to turn a special handle, which is responsible for supplying a portion of a special mixture consisting of peat and sawdust. Thanks to this mechanism, the mixture is distributed evenly and falls asleep the waste that has got inside.

It is quite possible to use such a dry closet composter for the disposal of not too much food waste, simply throwing it inside and falling asleep with a dry mixture. When the first container is completely filled, it must be moved aside and replaced with the second one, which can be used in the same way. At this time, the first container will contain the compost mixture, completely ready for use.

Important! The compost obtained in such a composter will be very concentrated. This must be taken into account, and before introducing it into the soil, it is necessary to dilute the mixture with soil, sand or peat.

Criteria for choosing a ready-made composter for giving

At the same time, an increasing number of owners of suburban areas are striving to move away from the use of home-made structures, giving preference to purchased models. Consider what advantages and disadvantages ready-made designs have, and what parameters you need to pay special attention to before making a purchase.

In most cases, preference is given to simple and convenient composters that are easy to assemble and operate on their own. But since the number of offers on the modern market is extremely large, it can be really difficult to decide on the most suitable option on your own. As a guide, experts recommend using certain criteria, since models can be:

• collapsible or solid;
• with temperature sensor;
• with a special device that allows you to loosen the contents;
• with a mesh instead of a bottom, which provides protection against rodents;
• various shapes and sizes.

Composters also differ in the material that was used for manufacturing. So, plastic is the most popular today, because it has a low weight, which allows you to move it around the site without problems, and its service life is extremely long. If the structure is planned as stationary, then you can consider the option of acquiring a metal composter. Wooden models can also be found on sale, but they are not very common due to their short service life and exposure to external factors.

Compost pit products: features and benefits of use

Having figured out how to make a compost pile, many expect that they will soon be able to use the nutrient fertilizer made in it. But the reality is that the natural maturation of compost can last up to 2 years. Of course, you can just be patient and wait. But you can go the other way by buying a special tool that promotes the maturation of compost and speeds up this process.

Interesting! The question of the use of excipients is especially relevant for those regions of the country where the warm period is short. If warm weather lasts only 2-3 months, then the compost ripening period has to be reduced artificially.

So, there are several drugs that are well suited for this purpose and are recommended not only by experts, but also by real users. They all have different names but, in general, the principle of their action is the same. As an example, consider the Tamir tool.

Tamir is an extremely complex drug, which includes a whole complex of microorganisms that in the natural environment are responsible for ensuring the decomposition of organic debris and waste. Due to the high concentration of these bacteria, the composting process is many times faster, and after 2-3 weeks, full maturation occurs.

It is worth noting that the compost obtained in this way is not completely decomposed waste and is somewhat different from the usual consistency. But its final decomposition will occur directly in the soil, which will bring even greater benefits to plants.

Important! It is believed that compost obtained as a result of the action of auxiliary preparations, as a fertilizer, is many times more useful than that which was obtained naturally. Therefore, answering the common question whether it is possible to use funds for compost pits, the answer is unequivocal - not only possible, but even necessary.

All funds of this type are used according to the following technology:

• if the heap has not yet been formed, then the drug is added on top of each new layer, after which it is all poured with water;
• in the already finished heap, you need to make a recess to the full height, into which the drug and water are added.

Other ways to speed up the maturation of the compost heap

In addition to complex preparations, other ways can be used to stimulate the processing of organic waste and the maturation of compost in the pit. Let's consider each of them in more detail:

• the use of rotted manure, which is quite capable of replacing biochemical preparations intended for composting. At the same time, it is forbidden to use fresh manure, as it can become a source of not only helminth eggs, but also weed seeds, pathogens, etc.;
• a solution made from ordinary yeast. To prepare it, you need 1 liter of water and about 1 tablespoon of dry yeast. To this is added 200 grams of sugar (1 cup). Such a solution is poured into the recesses made in the compost heap;
• herbal infusion. To improve the effect, it is mixed with chicken manure or slurry in a ratio of 5:2. It is important to know that the amount of nitrogen contained in fresh bird droppings is much greater than in manure, which means that the ratio should be different.

Helpful advice! In order to regularly get bird droppings into the compost heap naturally, you can install a feeder above it. This will greatly facilitate and speed up the process.

The methods of accelerating maturation also include artificial moistening of raw materials, its tedding and other measures designed to create the most comfortable microclimate for composting.

How to arrange a compost pit in the country with your own hands

Whatever design is chosen for making compost, it is unlikely that its appearance will turn out to be attractive enough in the end. Most likely, no one will want to look at the compost pit, so it will be useful to think about how you can use the original design to improve its appearance.

The problem of masking the compost pit is especially relevant for small plots, since almost the entire territory is in plain sight. Although it happens that even for spacious plots, the owners use various design strategies to give the compost pit a more attractive look. So, in order to hide such an object, you can use:

• camouflage with plants and hedges;
• artificial decorations and stationary fences.

Works related to the manufacture of artificial fences are necessarily carried out in an open area located at some distance from the location of the compost pit. This is necessary in order to make it more convenient to work and to be able to move freely without being subjected to discomfort from the smell emitted by the heap.

The main requirement for such a fence is that it should hide the entire site from the eyes of guests and owners. That is, the compost heap should be completely hidden behind it, and the appearance of the fence should be as attractive as possible and be in harmony with the environment.

Much longer and somewhat more difficult to create hedges for this purpose. But they look much more natural and elegant. The main thing is to pay attention to the choice of a suitable plant, so that in the end the hedge is not too bulky and lush, and does not break the overall structure of the site.

Helpful advice! You can use light translucent screens entwined with vines as a fence. They do an excellent job with the task, and at the same time do not take up much space, so they are quite suitable for both large and small areas.

Best ideas for decorating a silo

Other elements, such as special screens or screens, can also be used to mask the place where the compost heap is located. Bamboo fences have proven to be excellent. Plants also look good if carefully planted in a row.

At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to equip a compost pit directly under fruit trees, as this can lead to their death. Between the compost and plants you need to maintain some distance.

The following design methods are the most popular:

• fruit trees and berry bushes planted in a row;
• potted gardens, placed on several levels to hide the entire structure;
• installation of an object of small architecture: a gazebo or a fenced barbecue (of course, in this case, you should make sure that the unpleasant smell of decaying waste does not interfere);
• flower beds with tall plants;
• supporting wall.

Separately, it is worth noting the masking of compost heaps if a plastic container was used for them. In this case, it is not necessary to completely mask it. You can use it as a decoration of the site by painting it in a bright color and planting beautiful flowers around. You can draw any pattern on such a container, thus giving it originality.

It is easiest to work with small compost pits, which can be hidden with an abundance of flowers or even shrubs. Speaking of which, a compost yard is a great place to experiment with growing new varieties of annuals.

You can clearly see how do-it-yourself composters are made and designed for summer cottages by watching tutorials and detailed instructions. It is enough just to decide which design is best suited in a particular case, as well as take into account your own individual requirements and wishes. Otherwise, there will be no problems, since there are as many options for do-it-yourself compost pits as there are ready-made models.

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Compost pit principles

The main function of the compost pit is to create the most comfortable environment for the life of bacteria, microorganisms, earthworms, the number of which determines the speed of the process and the quality of the resulting compost. To do this, a fairly high temperature and humidity must be maintained inside the compost heap with a regular supply of oxygen.

To do this, the compost tank must have the following design features:

Make compost boxes from any available materials. These can be boards, slate trims, corrugated board, metal building mesh, and even car tires. More capital structures are built of brick or concrete. There are also lightweight, portable utilizers in metal or plastic barrels.

Choosing a site for a compost pit

The location of the composter on the site should not become a source of groundwater contamination, a threat to human and animal health. Do not place a compost pit in wetlands or in places with stagnant water.

The external design of the compost pit can be absolutely anything. It can be decorated with beautifully colored shields, fenced with loach plantings and perennial ornamental plants.

Making a compost pit with your own hands

In a garden or backyard, you can use the simplest tools to make a quality structure and turn a pile of garden debris and decomposable household waste into valuable fertilizer. There are a wide variety of types of compost heaps, from earthen ditches to real concrete structures.

Compost pit in the ground

To create a compost pit:

1. In the ground, a site is selected away from residential buildings.
2. On an area 1.5 m wide and of arbitrary length, the top layer of turf and soil is removed.
3. The bottom of the pit should be located at a depth of no more than 0.5 meters.
4. The bottom is covered with a sand cushion to drain excess water.

The first layer performs the function of drainage and promotes aeration of the pile and consists of cut branches.

They are laid in layers:

• cut grass;
• dry foliage;
• sawdust;
• household food waste;
• manure;
• weedy herbs.

Layers are sprinkled with peat or garden soil, spilled with water. To speed up the decomposition process, it is advisable to grind all the ingredients before laying, simply chopping with a shovel.

The total height of the pile should not exceed 1.5 meters. This means that it will rise 1 meter above the ground. The structure is protected from above with a covering material or a slate shield. In hot weather, a pile is watered with plain water.

Under natural conditions, microorganisms will be able to process such a waste dump in two summer seasons. This is the easiest and most economical way to get compost.

Use EM drugs. A temperature of +4°C inside the compost heap is enough for microorganisms to successfully process waste.

Making a compost pit from boards

For ease of use and speed up the recycling process, the compost bin is made from boards. The optimal size of the compost box is 1x1.5 meters.

Instructions for making a pit from boards:

Lay garbage in such a container through the top according to the general principle, starting with the branches. And you can rake out the finished compost already from below.

Photo: drawing of a compost box, composter diagram

Variants of compost pits made from boards

Slate is durable and is perfect for the walls of the compost bin. You can use both wave and flat sheet slate.

Options for making a composter from slate:

1. Marking is done at the location of the compost heap and deepen cut-to-size sheets. They can be fixed with an external, wooden or iron crate.
2. In another embodiment, metal pipes are buried in the ground. A frame of bars is attached to them. Outside, it is sheathed with slate. The second design is more durable.

All wooden elements should be treated with an antiseptic to prevent rotting. A cover for the pit is made from plywood or boards. The front wall of the pit is made lower, at a level of 40-50 cm above ground level. Rigid walls allow you to cover the pit with a film or garden covering material.

Compost pit from corrugated board

Work order:

1. At the chosen place, a base is constructed from a metal or wooden block.
2. The dimensions of the pit are chosen according to the length of the sheets, which allows you to make a compost bin with two or three compartments.
3. The base is made, as for a wooden structure.
4. Outside, the profile strips are fastened with self-tapping screws with gaps of 3-5 cm.
5. It should be borne in mind that the metal surface becomes very hot during hot summer periods.
6. From above they make a shelter for their plywood or boards. It is desirable to cover the frame with a protective compound.

Metal mesh compost bin

To make compost, you can make a cylindrical container from a metal mesh. In such a cylinder, the compost is well ventilated and does not rot.

How to make a compost bin:

To simplify, you can put a large plastic bag (polyethylene) inside the basket, which is used for garbage. These baskets are easy to assemble and install anywhere. They are filled with waste according to the principle of a compost pit. And also compost can be made in special bags that are sold at garden centers.

Concrete compost pit

A concrete compost pit creates many benefits:

• Thick walls maintain a positive temperature for a long time.
• Such a pit is durable and reliable, not affected by adverse environmental conditions.

It is desirable to make it large, into two or even three compartments. Compost of different seasons will ripen in the first and second blocks. The third store bags of finished compost.

How to make a concrete compost pit:

When operating a concrete pit, it must be taken into account that the composting process is slowed down. To speed up the process, you need to manually add earthworms or commercially available special products to it.

Other material options for the compost pit

Compost pit from car tires

Car tires are quite suitable for arranging a compost heap:

Compost in an iron barrel

Old iron barrels are great for composting:

1. We cut down both bottoms with a chisel and put them near the track.
2. We put weeds, mowed grass, kitchen waste in layers in a barrel.
3. To increase the temperature, you can paint the barrel black, pour the compost with a solution of ammonium nitrate (a matchbox on a bucket of water).
4. We get the finished compost from below. To do this, you need to lift the barrel with a crowbar.

To improve the design:

1. Using a grinder (angle grinder), you need to cut the barrel into two unequal parts and punch holes in the walls for air circulation.
2. Then we put them on the priest and connect them with wire or rope. Cover with a lid on top.
3. The advantages of this design are the easy accessibility of the contents of the barrel for worms and bacteria from below.
4. To get ready-made compost, you only need to untie the rope, and you will receive two hundred liters of ready-made fertilizer.

Compost in a plastic barrel

The ideal material for a compost bin is plastic. In conventional compost heaps, compost takes two years to mature. In plastic barrels with a capacity of 150-200 liters, liquid compost can be prepared in two weeks.

For this:

1. We fill the barrel with cut grass or weeds to half, and fill it with water to the top.
2. After about three days, the fermentation process will begin.
3. After using the solution, you can again add water to the barrel and let it brew for one week.
4. Having spent the liquid compost completely, the remaining grass is folded into a compost heap.

Brick compost pit

A brick compost pit is made in three walls. It can be done with or without cement mortar. On a cement mortar, a compost pit is made no more than 1 meter high. Between the bricks you need to leave gaps for ventilation.

In the compost pit, you need to provide a place for throwing the compost mass. Make a lid from available material. The front wall is made temporary so that it is convenient to take out the finished compost.

Compost pit made of concrete rings

Garden debris can be successfully stored in the inner cavity of the concrete ring and compost can be obtained as a result. For comfort the ring is partially buried in the ground, and after filling, cover with a lid or film material.

The disadvantages of the design include the absence of an underestimated front wall. To unload the finished compost, you need to climb inside. Otherwise, very durable compost chambers are obtained from such reinforced concrete products.

Compost pit according to Finnish technology

If there is no desire to make a compost pit, you can purchase a composter using Finnish technology. It's modern dry closet with two containers, with a capacity of 80 liters. Its contents are mixed with a layer of peat and sawdust. You can also recycle food.

When the container is full, it is pulled out and another is inserted. Due to the high concentration, the finished compost is mixed with earth or sand and fertilized with plants. The empty container is washed and returned to its place.

Do not confuse compost and cesspool. Organic matter from the garden plot is stored in containers for making compost. The remains of protein food should be disposed of in a cesspool.

What can and cannot be put in a compost pit?

Thanks to composting, the amount of waste in landfills is reduced, and our vegetable gardens and orchards receive additional fertilizer.

In the compost pit, first of all, organic garden waste is laid, in the form of:

• branches;
• dry foliage;
• cut grass;
• weeds;
• straw.

Good ingredients for a compost heap are:

• food leftovers from vegetarian food;
• egg shell;
• onion peel.

You can layer the compost with manure and chicken manure.

The prohibited ingredients of the compost heap are:

• construction and household waste with a high content of phenols;
• remnants of printed products;
• plastic.

From plant residues, weeds with matured seeds and with roots that can take root well, such as:

• thistle;
• wheatgrass;
• loach.

Drought-tolerant plants should be dried before being placed in the compost pile so that they lose their ability to root. Sawdust can be used in moderation as it slowly decomposes and takes up nitrogen. And also do not use feces of domestic animals and humans when composting.

Preparations for the compost pit

The main task of preparations containing biological activators is to accelerate the decomposition processes with the help of microorganisms.

The preparations do an excellent job with the processing of organic matter and do not allow pathogenic microflora to develop in the compost pit:

1. Compost preparation can be significantly accelerated by using Baikal EM. This preparation contains effective microorganisms (EM).
2. The drug "Doctor Robik" significantly increases the number of effective microorganisms (EM) in the compost. They are engaged in the processing of organic matter into humus, and also prevent the development of pathogenic microflora and destroy the larvae of harmful insects.
3. The bioactivator has similar properties. The Green-Master bioactivator package must be diluted in 20 liters of warm water, let it brew for 4 hours and water the compost heap. After 2 weeks, you need to turn a bunch of pitchforks. For the preparation of compost, one treatment with a bioactivator solution is sufficient.
4. Good results are obtained by the drug "Compost Boost" for composting.
5. Manufacturer Lucky summer resident produces "Biocompostin"- compost preparation. Saneks plus releases the EcoCompost product.
6. Manufacturer Dezon Bio K produces several types of drugs:"Green all-rounder", "Compost of one season", "Compost for the next agricultural season", "Bioactivator for compost".

By using preparations, microbiological processes can be significantly accelerated and compost can be obtained in 2-3 months.

Preparations-bioactivators for compost

Rules for the operation of a compost pit

After the construction of the compost box and its filling, it remains occasionally to look inside and, depending on the changes taking place, correct the decomposition process.

Tips for using the composter:

1. In dry periods, it is necessary to water the compost with plain water, preventing it from overheating, which leads to a reduction in the population of some types of beneficial bacteria.
2. At least once every two weeks, you should loosen the compost heap., thereby providing an influx of oxygen into all, even the lowest, layers.
3. Add "Effective Microorganisms" to your compost content in the form of solutions and various additives.
4. To speed up the process, you can add a ready-made compost substrate, which contains a full range of microbiological activators.
5. If the pit design does not have a top cover, then simply cover the top with a black garden cover, which will increase the temperature and greenhouse effect inside the structure.

Summarizing

Creating a compost pit does not require serious material investments. You can make it with your own hands from improvised materials, which are always enough in any personal plot.

Having spent a little time on making a compost pit, in the future you will not have to solve the problems of disposing of garden and household waste.

In a well-organized compost pit, you will receive environmentally friendly fertilizer, as a result of which you can increase the yield of the beds. Such a reasonable approach to managing the economy affects the environmental situation and brings tangible material income.

Use the instructions and tips from the article, and the result will please you.

A compost pit made from organic waste is an integral part of a summer cottage or personal plot. If you have your own garden, a person tries to cultivate healthy vegetation and fruits that do not contain nitrates on fertile soil. For this purpose, they use organic fertilizers obtained from compost. The purpose of this article is to tell garden owners how to make a compost pit from inexpensive improvised materials.

Instructions for making a compost pit (box) with your own hands

Making your own compost pit is easy. Its arrangement involves the use of lightweight and inexpensive components. In the example below, a compost bin is created from pallets used in the construction industry for folding consumables. You can buy such pallets for a small amount or even get them for free by picking them up after unloading building materials.

making a compost pit with your own hands. A photo

If you do not yet know how to create a compost pit with your own hands, the step-by-step instructions below will tell you in detail about this procedure.

First thing choose a place, the most suitable for arranging a compost heap. This site should be located away from residential buildings and preferably in an area where winds predominate. This will eliminate the possibility of an unpleasant smell from the compost in the yard.

Follow drawing provided as an example to properly create a compost bin. Remember that it should have a presentable appearance, be easy to use, and be easy to dismantle when filled with organic waste.

do-it-yourself compost pit manufacturing options. A photo

Disassemble prepared wooden pallets by removing the connecting elements (nails). The result of such work will be the receipt of edged boards.

Use a circular saw to divide all boards into blanks about 1 m long. A compost bin will be created from them.

In order to assemble an integral structure from separate boards, two of them should cut out jigsaw rectangular holes. The photos and videos attached to the instructions will help the master navigate how to make cutouts in the remaining boards in order to accurately connect them to two cross beams.

do-it-yourself compost pit step by step with a photo

Mounting all boards (except for front ones) are carried out vertically, and they are fastened with mounting glue. The first (front) board is equipped at a slight angle to the entire structure, and without the use of an adhesive solution. Compliance with this condition is necessary to facilitate the disassembly of the structure. The device of the compost box of the described type allows you to easily rearrange it to another place, disassemble it after filling it with organic waste and vegetation residues.

In order to make a compost bin made of wooden pallets stable, during its installation in the area allotted for this, align the bottom boards of the finished box using a level.

As you can see, it takes very little effort to create a compost pit from waste materials from the construction industry. The finished compost bin looks decent, and makes it possible to dispose of all unnecessary vegetation from your own garden plot. Gradually compacted in such a container, and being under the influence of moisture and putrefactive bacteria, the vegetation turns into a high quality organic fertilizer, ideal for feeding garden vegetation.

How to make a compost pit. Video

Making a compost bin with your own hands

The issue related to the disposal of plant waste in the garden is of concern to most gardeners. It is not worth taking them out of the garden, because with the right approach, organic matter can be excellent. fertilizer. Folding unnecessary vegetation, as noted above, is better in a compost pit, which should be voluminous. We suggest considering the option of building a compost pit with your own hands, a step-by-step instruction for which will help even a beginner to carry out the procedure.

As an example, take the construction compost bin, consisting of three sections.

Set 8 wooden columns, having previously treated the lower part of each of them (the one that will be located underground) with a protective composition. Fuel oil, tar or used machine oil can be used as a protective solution.

If a fence strong and reliable on your personal plot, then its canvas can be used as a support for one of the sides of the compost bin bars (as shown in the photo). Actually, this option makes the task easier, eliminating the need to dig a few more holes for the posts.

The next step in creating a structure is the arrangement of sectional partitions. To do this, nail several boards to the supports, leaving necessarily between them small slots for ventilation. It should also be noted that in two compartments of the box small doors, therefore, its front part should be sheathed with boards only up to half the height.

The third compartment is equipped with a large door, and in this regard, it is worth nailing only one board at the bottom, front of the box.

The next stage of work is installation covers. The end sections of the sectional partitions, as well as the rear and front walls, are reinforced with crossbars.

do-it-yourself compost bin. A photo

Doors are hung, which also serve as compost bin covers. It is already clear that one large and two small doors will be located in front.

When creating a wooden compost bin, immediately take care that the wood does not become an integral component of organic fertilizers prepared from plant waste. The process of compost maturation involves the gradual decomposition of organic matter, and the tree also belongs to the components of natural, organic origin. And therefore, when constructing a three-section compost bin from boards, it is desirable to soak every detail well special composition deep penetration. It will protect the tree from moisture, putrefactive processes and harmful insects. It is not difficult to buy now a solution for the complex protection of wooden surfaces, but it should be remembered that it must be non-toxic. Then organic fertilizer (compost) will turn out to be of high quality.

After the boards are soaked, the finished compost bin stained in a color that suits you. Paint is desirable to select non-toxic. It should be highly resistant to temperature extremes, not fade in the sun. Apply it to the box in two layers.

The last step in creating the structure is to hang the latches and handles. Compost pit from boards is completely ready for use!

Compost pit. Its equipment options

Now there are many different technologies for building compost pits with your own hands. Each owner of a summer house or a country house with a land plot chooses the type of construction that is ideally suited to the specific conditions of the area. Here are some of the most common types of compost pit equipment.

Option 1. It is rarely used, and mainly in cases where ready-made compost is supposed to be used no earlier than in 1.5-2 years. The essence of the work here is to dig a hole in a designated area. It should be similar in shape to a well, but not as deep. The walls of the compost pit must be strengthened so that the soil does not collapse. The peculiarity of the pit prepared in this way is that in it the raw materials for fertilizer will ripen naturally, without human intervention. And therefore it is worth taking care of creating optimal conditions for the preparation of organic fertilizers. The walls of the finished pit begin to be sheathed at a height of 15-25 cm from the bottom, while no material is laid on the bottom itself. This will allow microorganisms and worms to penetrate from the soil into the folded vegetation residues unhindered.

Advice. Before laying the plant mass in the pit, loosen its bottom well, and also equip the ventilation outlet in the form of a pipe. After heavy rains or heavy watering, cover the compost pit with plastic wrap. This activates the work of microorganisms, and the overheating of organic matter will go faster.

If possible, it is better to create a compost pit in this way outside the house adjoining area, in a forest belt.

Option 2. In this case, a compost pit is equipped right in the garden. Many land owners note that this option is more convenient in the sense that organic fertilizers are unloaded from the pit as needed. The basis of the design is the formwork, and it can be made from any materials at hand. These can be plastic barrels or a box assembled from individual boards. The presented method also involves providing access to worms and microorganisms in the thickness of organic residues. And therefore, the soil is loosened before laying the vegetation, and the formwork structure is slightly deepened (by about 20-30 cm). The need for natural air circulation in the created box causes the leaving of slits between the plank structural elements, or the formation of holes in plastic surfaces.

Option 3. Another method of preparing organic fertilizers from plant residues is the creation of a so-called pile, or compost heap. This technology is considered the simplest, but when using it, hygiene requirements are not met. On the backyard territory, when choosing this method of preparing compost, the optimal site is selected, on which a substrate of gravel, sand or dry grass is immediately made. Plant waste is placed on top of it, and they are waiting for their overheating. Organic fertilizer reaches full readiness in two or more years. The difficulty lies in the fact that the pile has to be periodically mixed, and before the onset of winter, it is still necessary to insulate it so that microorganisms do not die under the influence of cold.

So, there are many options for equipping a compost pit, and the difference between them is both in terms of the materials used, and in terms of the size and features of its design. In any case, with the right approach, creating it yourself will not be difficult even for a novice master.

Slate compost pit

A do-it-yourself compost pit for its creation requires the presence of durable materials from which it would be possible to make the walls of a box in which plant residues will be stored. The previous sections have already described the possibilities of forming such structures from boards, building pallets or plastic barrels. There is another good way - a compost bin from slate waste. In the household, many zealous owners of summer cottages will surely have such. Slate leaves make an excellent base for the walls of a compost bin. In addition, a compost pit made of such material will turn out to be reliable and durable. To create a slate box with your own hands, we recommend doing the work in the following sequence:

Decide on the exact parameters designs. Remember that the pit should be such that all the plant waste collected from the site for two seasons (and sometimes more time) is placed inside it. Considering that a small pile of vegetation residues (tops, fallen leaves) is approximately 0.25 cubic meters in volume, then a pit for their processing can be made 1m * 1m * 1m in size. In this case, there will still be some room for food waste.

After choosing a territory, you need to do a little deepening in the soil (by 20-30 cm).

In the corners of the structure and in the central part are installed racks, created from thick tree branches or ordinary metal pipes of small diameter.

With the help of prepared slate sheets, walls compost box.

The compost matures in the pit for two years, and the slate partition, located in the middle of the box, makes it possible to use the internal space of the pit continuously. That is, the result of the work is a two-section slate box, each of the compartments of which is used in turn.

List of requirements for a compost bin

When studying the question of how to make a compost pit from certain materials, one should not forget about the requirements for such structures. First of all, when making a compost box, you need to take into account that organic matter needs a constant supply of air to ripen. Therefore, on the sides of the structure must be present ventilation holes. So that useful substances from the created organic fertilizer are not washed into the soil, it is advisable to cover the compost pit during rain lid. Instead of a lid, you can also use an ordinary plastic film, but in this case it will need to be somehow fixed around the edges to prevent it from being blown away by the wind. It should also be taken into account that the compost from the bottom matures faster, so easy access to the bottom of it should be provided. In the diagram above, you can see how the simplest compost bin works. Note that the boards located on the side are made removable, and the dimensions of the structure can be changed. As an option, you can consider creating a box with removable front boards.

There is also a way to create an opening box of a simpler design. In it, the loops will be made of durable strips of rubber or other elastic material. They are well fixed on the surface of the boards knocked together.

An economical option for creating a compost bin would be a product made of wooden pallets, the installation of which does not require special skills and a lot of time.

What can and cannot be thrown into the compost pit?

Having found out how a compost pit is made from various consumables, one cannot ignore the recommendations on what kind of waste can be thrown into it and which cannot.

A self-constructed compost pit will fully justify the purpose of its creation if the following types of organic waste are collected in it:

• Fallen tree bark, old leaves and small branches, needles, grass roots and small tree roots.
• Mature dung and bird guano.
• Grass and cut weeds.
• Leftover herbal tea or coffee.
• Cleaning vegetables and fruits, missing berries, fruits and vegetables.
• Ash left over from burning wood.
• Wood shavings, straw, sawdust, hay.
• Napkins, cardboard, paper bags and the paper itself.

Recommendation. To make a thick layer of grass laid in a compost pit decompose faster, sprinkle it on top with fresh, loose soil. If this is not done, the process of overheating the grass will be delayed for a period of six months to a year.

As for those components that cannot be laid in a compost pit, then their list includes:

• Potato and tomato tops. Often it is infected with late blight spores, and laying it in compost in the future will lead to the spread of the disease throughout the garden plot, and the defeat of new seasonal vegetation with late blight.
• Products of inorganic origin that will not decompose under the influence of natural factors. These include metal, polyethylene bags, rubber and synthetics, components with a plastic base.
• Vegetation generously fertilized with chemicals.
• Thick branches that take a long time to rot.
• Weed seeds that have already passed the ripening stage.
• Feces of animals living in the house. They may contain inclusions in the form of bones or helminth eggs.

How to properly operate a compost pit?

In the previous sections of our article, we found out how to make a compost pit from improvised components, as well as what can be put into it and what is undesirable to put in a pit. Now it remains to identify those simple requirements that will help to properly operate the structure for storing compost throughout the year. Here they are:

• Try to periodically loosening compost garden pitchfork. This will ensure the flow of oxygen to the decaying organic matter. Stirring the waste will help speed up the decomposition process.
• The compost heap should be occasionally pour water. If the weather is dry and hot outside, then the amount of watering of the ripening compost should be increased. With regular moisture, the contents of the pit will rot better and faster. But dry compost completely stops its decomposition.
• If there is such an opportunity, then it is advisable to periodically lay in the thickness of rotting vegetation California worms. They will not only loosen the contents of the compost, but also partially process it.
• It is advisable to lay on top of the waste in the pit dark plastic film. Thanks to it, a greenhouse effect will occur in the thickness of the raw biomaterial, and as a result of it, the temperature inside the heap will increase significantly. The burnout of vegetation folded in layers will occur faster. At the same time, the presence of the film ensures the preservation of a moist environment in the compost, and prevents the growth of weeds there. The maturation period of a compost heap covered with a film is 3-4 months. If the pit with organic matter is not covered, then the process of waste maturation will stretch for a whole year.
• If possible, it is recommended to add to the compost pit special preparations, accelerating the decomposition of components. Among the most famous such compositions are Baikal EM-1, Sanex EcoCompost, Compostar, Compostin, Embionik.

With proper arrangement of the compost pit and regular maintenance of it, homeowners will be able to obtain high-quality fertilizer that does not contain harmful substances.

Compost pit with your own hands. Video

Sooner or later, every owner of a personal plot thinks about how to make a compost pit, because any soil depletes over time and requires top dressing, and no matter how compost can provide it, thereby not harming either the environment or the plants themselves, unlike , for example, from chemicals. In addition, everyone can do it - it will not take you much time, effort, or money, the main thing is to decide in advance what kind of your pit will have and what it will be made of. And we will help you with this by listing the maximum number of options along with instructions for their construction - all that remains is to choose and follow some rules.

Rules for arranging a compost pit on the site.

The pit should not be:

• in a conspicuous place (she will not decorate it),
• next to a water source - a well, a well - otherwise the decomposition products of plants can get into the water, polluting it, the minimum distance is 20 m;
• near the house, gazebos and other places where you often visit, as an unpleasant smell may come from it;
• in a place too exposed to the sun, otherwise the compost will not rot, but dry out.

The pit should "breathe", so you should not cover its bottom (walls) with brick or slate.

Option number 1, how to make a compost pit in the country, is a pit in the soil.

The simplest, requiring nothing but a shovel, option:

1. dig a recess in the soil - not too deep and not too wide, so it will be easier to care for the pit, standard dimensions (W × D × H) 1 × 2 × 1 m;
2. lay drainage on the bottom - branches, expanded clay or tree bark;
3. the compost pit is ready to use, fill it with everything you need and cover with cling film on top.

Option number 2 - a compost pit from pallets for building materials.

1. Decide on the location of the pit and purchase (or just pick up at the construction site) the necessary material.

1. Disassemble the pallets into components - boards.

The result should be a cut-off board.

1. Cut the boards into pieces one meter long. The most convenient way to do this is with a circular machine, but in the absence of one, a regular saw will do. In total, you will need 14 of these boards.

1. Using a jigsaw, make holes in two boards in accordance with the diagrams.

1. Duplicate the holes in the rest of the boards: a rectangular cut is made immediately on 6 elements, a diagonal one on three, so that in the end you can assemble the structure shown in the diagram.

1. Make two more blanks of this size.

1. Treat all parts with moisture-resistant enamel or varnish with antifungal impregnation - this will extend the life of the product.
2. When that / that dries, start the assembly.

Install the boards vertically in relation to each other, lubricating the attachment points with mounting glue. Do not expose the front wall yet!

It should be dealt with at the very end, but without mounting glue. It is she who will provide free access to the compost at the right time, as it can be dismantled anywhere.

Option number 3 - a rotating homemade composter.

Suitable for all those who own a small plot of land and at the same time want to make their “life” as easy as possible, because the compost must be periodically stirred for proper maturation, which is much more convenient to do in a rotating drum than in a dug hole or knocked down wooden box.

So, instructions on how to make a compost pit with your own hands.

1. Prepare everything you need:

• hacksaw;
• circular saw;
• a hammer;
• roulette;
• metal mesh (any protective mesh with not too large cells will do) 1 × 1.57 m in size;
• drill;
• plywood boards 60 × 60 cm - 2 pcs.;
• staples, nails, glue;
• boards;
• steel reinforcement - 1.5 meters - and PVC 2 × 89 cm.

1. From the plywood boards, cut out two circles with a radius of 27 cm.
2. Having cut the boards into pieces according to sizes convenient for you, make the base of the structure, so that when hanging plywood circles, they do not touch the ground.

Fasten the joints of the boards and additionally coat with glue.

1. Make holes in the center of the plywood circles and insert reinforcement into them. As a result, you should get a design, as in the photo above.
2. Attach PVC to the reinforcement, and mesh to the edges of the plywood sheets.

Fasten.

1. Cut out the transverse beams of the drum and fasten them to the grid, and then to the vertical supports.

1. To avoid the possibility of injury during use, cover the sharp exposed parts of the structure with adhesive tape.

A rotating homemade composter is ready.

Option number 4 - concreted compost pit.

The most durable option of all.

For its arrangement:

1. dig a hole 3 × 2 meters, 60-80 cm deep;
2. arrange the formwork along its contour to a height that suits you and fill it with a solution of sand, cement and gravel; for greater convenience in using the compost pit, we recommend making it two-section, i.e. in addition to the outer walls, fill in another inner one, dividing the structure in half;
3. make a cover, and in the case of a two-section pit - two (one for each section), only necessarily ventilated, ideally if it is a mesh framed with a metal or wooden frame, but you can also use a simple wooden one, only in this case do not forget to drill in it holes for ventilation.

Option number 5 - "lazy" compost pit.

For its construction, all the same construction pallets that were used in the second option will come in handy, only in this case you do not need to disassemble them! On the contrary, these pallets need to be fastened together.

And now in order.

1. Choose a place where the compost will be located. To accelerate its maturation, remove the top fertile layer of soil there. But if you are not in a hurry or laziness, this can not be done.
2. Take 2 pallets and join their corners perpendicular to each other.

1. Tie them with wire.

Then attach the 3rd pallet to them in the same way, so that together they form the letter "P".

1. In the last step, close the perimeter with the 4th pallet, but not completely, but so that you have enough space for 1 person to pass.

That is, the 4th pallet will be tied to other pallets on one side only.

1. To add strength to the structure, drive a support peg/post under the “free” side of the 4th pallet, or even better, also into each corner.

Everything, the structure is ready to accept grass, leaves, etc., in order to turn it into useful compost in the future.

Option number 6 - how to make a compost pit from construction mesh and film.

Another simple option that even a woman can handle.

All you need is a film (preferably dark), a rectangular piece of building mesh, wire and paper clips (clothespins, stationery clips).

1. Lay out the piece of construction mesh you have exactly on the ground and attach the film to it, securing it around the perimeter with paper clips (clothespins or clerical clips).
2. Connect the ends of the mesh together to form a circle, and tie them with wire.
3. Place your finished compost bin in the right place - it's ready to use.

If you wish, you can plant some kind of climbing plant next to such a composter, when it grows up and weaves into the net, you will get a very beautiful natural decor.

In general, it is possible to describe how to create a compost pit and composters indefinitely, since this is not a structure that requires any clear calculations or the use of certain materials. It can be created from what is convenient, most importantly, do not clog ... otherwise, remove the fertile layer of the earth (or you can not do this), drive in 4 pegs at the corners of the rectangle, standard (W × D) 1 × 2 m, and build walls from any material at hand (slate, old unnecessary furniture, siding, etc., etc.), just remember to drill a couple of holes if the selected material is not ventilated - the composter is ready.

P.S. To speed up the processes of decay, it is recommended to cover the described design with a film or provide some kind of cover, although again you can do without all this.

Video.