DIY Network

Finishing the Bin Finishing the Bin From "Fresh from the Garden" episode DFFG-109

Here, learn how to finish the compost bin and discover what "ingredients" comprise a healthy balance of compost mixture....

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	The finished bin will hold enough compost to help you maintqin a healthy garden, no matter how large.
	One of the key ingredients in composting is water: a dry compost pile will not function properly.

1. M-easure the distance along the outside between the front and back corner supports. Measure at the bottom of the post and use that measurement to cut all of the boards for the sides. By using the bottom dimension, you'll be sure to get the sides straight all the way to the top. Starting at the top of the floor, attach each slat using 2 inch galvanized screws. Leave about an inch gap between each slat.

2. When you finish the outside walls you're ready to start working on the inner side walls. Measure the distance between the center support posts to get the board lengths you need and then cut the pieces to fit. These are a little trickier to install because you have to make sure the boards are centered in the posts.

3. For the back boards, measure at the bottom again and use that measurement to cut all of the slats to that length, just over 9 feet. These boards span all 3 bins because they will never have to be removed. The longer boards will attach to each of the support posts to make it sturdier.

4. Cut the 6 back boards using the circular saw. Start by installing the bottom board and attaching it to the support posts. Install the back boards using the same galvanized screws you used during the rest of the project. As you attach the back slats, make sure to line up the ends of the back slats with the ends of the side slats you just installed.

5. The front of the compost bin is built a little differently because the slats need to be removable, rather than fixed like the back boards. They slide into the frame on a track. This way you can slide the slats in or out when you need to open or close the compost bins. Each compartment will have its own set of slats so they can be opened independently. Use 2 x 2 lumber to create the tracks along these front edges. Measure the distance between the compost bin floor and the top of the side walls. This is the length you need to cut the 2 x 2 track boards.

6. The slat tracks have to be installed so that there is a front track-rail and a back track-rail for each side of the slats. On the bins, use the 1 x 6's as the front track, and 2 x 2's for the back track to complete the track rails. Since the slats that will slide between the track pieces is one inch thick, leave a gap of 1 ¼" inches between the track rails so they can slide freely.

7. Make sure each 2 x 2 is level and attach them to the sides of the bin with 2" screws. Next, for each bay of the compost bin measure the distance from left to right within the tracks to get the distance you length you need to make the slats. Each bay is slightly different, so measure carefully. Transfer the measurement to your slats and cut them with a circular saw.

8. Install the front slats on the compost bin. Like the rest of the slats, they need to have spaces between them so the air can circulate around the compost. Add screws or wood scraps as spacers between the slats. Your compost bin is complete.
   
   
9. Gather all kinds of material to put in the compost bin. Add kitchen scraps to add to the mix. You should only use fruit and vegetable scraps, no meat in your compost. Meat can carry harmful bacteria and attract unwanted pest to the garden. Also gather lawn debris and clippings to use for compost. Composting is a continual process and you'll need to constantly add to the pile to keep it going. For your compost to be successful, it must have a balance of 10% green material and 90% brown material for the decomposition process to begin.

10. One of the key ingredients in composting is water. All of your materials in your pile should be moist. You'll need to check your compost pile often and add more water if it seems to be drying out. A dry compost pile will not function properly.