With my garden fully planted, it’s full steam ahead. As I’m looking forward to reaping its rewards, I started thinking as to what I will need to feed its hungry appetite. What to feed? None other than a healthy supply of compost.
As an urban gardener with limited space and neighbors close by, often times I don’t have the luxury of constructing an unsightly box of stinking compost, let alone living under a cloud of a HOA. But a compost bin shouldn’t have to be unsightly.
So I had my R&D (rip-off & Duplicate) department search the internet for a solution. I have to say, there are a lot of creative people out there. From creative ideas from a simple wire cage to a huge makeshift contraptions that automatically turns the compost. Myself, I’m looking for cheap(er).
My solution, a 32 gallon trash can (on sale) from my local home improvement store. Drilled a multitude of 9/16 holes and WOLA! A compost bin. Total cost, two bits over $9. (For you young home gamers out there, two bits is 25 cents.)
It appears the opening is wide enough that I can get a garden fork or a hand cultivator in there and churn the brew.
As a side-note, I did consider the more expensive trash can with wheels. But it was pointed out me that the small wheels would not roll that great over grass, and since I keep a dolly in the garage close by, I could easily use that to move the bin when needed.
Also, choice of color was a consideration. I could have easily chosen a commercial grey or bright blue trash can, but I wanted it to blend in with the surrounding landscape and I didn’t want the compost bin to stick out like a sore thumb (read HOA). Again, cost was a consideration.
Don’t go too crazy on the holes. Too many will weaken it’s durability and it’s pretty flexible as it is. Besides, if you find that there’s not enough air circulation, you can always drill more holes if need be. I spaced out my hole about 10 inches apart. I purposely left the lid untouched. I want to keep the water intake to a minimum.
If this works as I suspect it will, I will do another because, one, I figure I will need more compost than what one bin will product and two, at some point in the process, I will have to stop feeding the bin and just let mother nature do her dirty work.
So if you’re looking for a low-cost viable compost bin solution, try this can out for size.
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