How to make a compost bin

• Posts:
  4 pieces 850 mm x 54 mm x 54 mm

• Slats for the walls and the access hatch:
  32 pieces 1000 mm x 80 mm x 18 mm
  2 pieces 280 mm x 18 mm

• Base frame:
  2 pieces 1000 mm x 50 mm x 30 mm
  2 pieces 936 mm x 50 mm x 30 mm  

• Connector to which the access hatch is screwed:
  2 pieces 280 mm x 80 mm x 18 mm

• Screws:
  8 screws 4.5 x 100 mm for the frame, two per corner
  8 screws 4.5 x 75 mm for fixing the 50 x 30 mm frame timbers to the posts
  124 screws 4.0 x 50 mm for the slats
  12 screws 3.5 x 30 mm for the front panel boards
  12 screws 3.5 x 16 mm for the hinges 

• Hinges and cabin hooks:
  2 hinges measuring 100 mm x 70 mm for access hatch
  3 cabin hooks 80 to 100 mm for the access hatch

• 110 x 110 cm fine chicken or aviary wire for mouseproofing mesh 

• Wood preservative oil or stain for outdoor use and a brush

- Cordless chainsaw, e. g. STIHL MSA 70 C for the posts and frame wood
- Garden pruner, e.g. STIHL GTA 26 for the boards
- Staple gun
- Cordless screwdriver

• Spruce wood for the frame:
  2 pieces 1000 mm x 50 mm x 30 mm
  2 pieces 936 mm x 50 mm x 30 mm

• Spruce wood for the two support triangles:
  2 pieces 400 mm x 50 mm x 30 mm
  2 pieces 300 mm x 50 mm x 30 mm
  2 pieces 472 mm x 50 mm x 30 mm, inner angle of long side, 123° at the bottom and 147° at the top

• Hinges to attach the screen to the compost container:
  2 measuring 100 mm x 70 mm

• Hinges for the two support triangles:
  4 measuring 75 mm x 50 mm 

• Screws:
  24 screws 3.5 x 50 (for the 4 hinges of the triangular frame) 8 screws 4.5 x 100 (for the frame), two per corner
  3 screws 4.5 x 75 for the triangle, one at each screw point
  

• 1 roll of aviary wire 1 x 1 cm or fine chicken wire to use as a sieving screen

• Reed mat the size of the compost bin

Working with high-performance power tools is fun and allows you to broaden your skills. But you should always wear the correct personal protective equipment when working with garden pruners and chainsaws. 

You will find more information about what PPE you need for each tool in the instruction manual for your product. Before using your power tool for the first time, fully familiarise yourself with it and ensure that it is in flawless condition before each use. On request, your STIHL dealer will be happy to prepare your power tool for its first job, and will also advise you on models and sizes of protective clothing that you can try on at your leisure. Please remember that personal protective equipment is no substitute for working safely.

First, cut the posts for your DIY composter with the STIHL MSA 70 C cordless chainsaw. With the STIHL GTA 26 cordless garden pruner, you can cut the boards to the right size of 28 x 100 cm and the frame wood to the size of 100 cm. Next sand the corners and oil the boards.

Place two posts on the ground to align them. To do this, use two pieces of scrap wood cut to 89 cm as spacers to set them at the correct distance.

Now align the two posts with the first slat of the wall so that they are exactly level. Both sides of the slat should extend 18 mm beyond the posts – this is the thickness of the slats. The slats of the two side walls will later be fixed in this protruding section.

We recommend checking the protrusion with another piece of wood of the appropriate thickness before screwing the first slat in place. For each additional slat, place a piece of waste wood cut to 3 cm on both sides as a spacer, so that all slats are spaced evenly.

Secure the slats using two 4.0 x 50 screws on each side so that the wood does not bend under the influence of moisture or dryness. Each side consists of eight slats. The front side initially only has five slats, as the access hatch later contributes the missing three.

Screw together three 100 cm long slats with two 28 cm long cross struts. To do this, place the three slats on the workbench using the usual 3 cm spacer and adjust the slats so that their ends are all lined up. Now screw the two cross struts in place at a distance of 20 cm from the edge.

Place the front side of your DIY compost bin on the workbench. Screw the access hatch with two hinges to the lowest slat on the front side, leaving a good 12 cm spacing from the edge.

Take the pieces outside. Place the rear side on the floor and screw on the slats for the two side walls to it, in such a way that they fit into the protrusions of the horizontal posts on the rear side. Use two 4.0 x 50 mm screws on each side for this. The slats of the two side walls are now upright.

Now position the front side precisely on the upright side wall boards. Secure the front side by screwing through the slats of the side walls using two 4.0 x 50 mm screws on each side.

Now it’s time to screw on the cabin hooks. Start by attaching the two eyes to the access hatch, two hooks on one side of the compost bin – top and bottom – and one hook at the bottom on the other side of the compost bin. The two lower cabin hooks hold it closed, while the top hook holds the hatch open when needed.

Mark the position of the hooks and screw them on based on their length – do so in such a way that they are easy to open and safe to close. One eye is already firmly attached to the hook, and this can be used as a lever during the screwing-in process.

To ensure that your DIY compost bin has sufficient space between it and the ground, and that the access hatch can be opened more easily, the composter stands on a 3 cm high surrounding frame made of 50 x 30 mm strips. Screw together the already cut-to-size strips for the frame with two 4.5 x 100 mm screws per corner. Then turn the wooden compost bin upside down and place the frame on the base of the bin. Screw through the frame and into the posts using two 4.5 x 75 mm screws.

The contents of the DIY composter will later be in direct contact with the garden soil. Tightly meshed aviary or chicken wire blocks out mice that would otherwise like to nest in the compost. Tack the wire onto the composter’s wooden frame and cut it cleanly at the edges using wire scissors. Finally, turn over the compost bin and place it in its final spot in the garden – your DIY compost bin is now ready for use!

You can also screw on a soil sieving grid with hinges and attach two brackets to it. This screen helps to ensure the compost has a finer consistency before it is used in the garden. Coarse compost components such as roots or nut shells may detract from your growing bed. 

Watch our video to find out how to build a sieve.

There are two main types of compost bins - traditional compost bins or thermal compost bins (also known as hotbins) that are insulated to speed up the process of decay and therefore create usable compost in less time. Wooden compost bins still do a great job though and are cheaper (especially if you build it yourself!). Plus if you are making it yourself, you can build it to suit the space you have available. 

A compost bin should have a lid or a cover to prevent the compost pile from drying out, cooling down or becoming too wet.

The micororganisms in a compost bin convert organic material, such as garden waste, into a rich, sustainable compost that you can use on your garden.

If you are making your own compost bin, you should use wood that is durable and has a high resin content. Larch is a good example of this type of wood.

It is best to place a garden compost bin in a semi-shaded location to help prevent drying out and rotting. Behind a garden room or somewhere protected by a hedge are suitable places. For sufficient fresh air, the location should be partially but not completely protected from wind. 

Compost should always be covered to protect it from direct rain and sunlight. This can be achieved with a tarpaulin or – as a more sustainable alternative – with a reed mat.

Yes, you are permitted to have a compost bin in your garden without any restrictions, as long as it is on your own property. Many councils in Great Britain offer a recycling service for garden and food waste, but creating your own compost at home is even more sustainable as it also reduces the plastic waste from buying bags of compost at your local garden centre. 

If you build a compost bin yourself, make sure you have an easily accessible, airy location and choose a durable building material such as larch wood. Also remember that not all garden waste should be disposed of in your DIY compost bin.

If the timber used to make a wooden compost bin is pressure treated and therefore weatherproof, it will last five to ten years depending on what conditions it is exposed to.

The right size to make a compost bin depends on the size of your garden and household. A good rule of thumb is one cubic metre in size.