Ethan Clarke
Composting is a great way to reduce kitchen and garden waste and create rich, regenerative soil for your garden. A 55-gallon plastic barrel is an ideal vessel for composting, and with some simple DIY modifications, you can create your own rotating, aerating compost tumbler. In this article, we will discuss the steps to build and use a compost bin from a plastic barrel, including the necessary materials and methods for successful decomposition. Whether you're an experienced composter or just starting out, creating a compost bin from a plastic barrel is a fun and rewarding project that anyone can do!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Barrel size | 55-gallon |
| Barrel type | Recycled plastic drum |
| Barrel colour | Blue or black |
| Barrel cost | $40 |
| Barrel preparation | Cut in half, drill holes in the bottom |
| Base | Concrete pavers |
| Contents | Fruit and vegetable trimmings, garden trimmings, compost accelerator, water, soil |
| Additional components | Hinged door, handle or crank, frame, mixing fins |
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What You'll Learn
Building a frame for your plastic barrel
First, you will need to measure the diameter of your barrel, which is typically around 24 inches, and cut two matching triangles from 1-inch plywood. Each side of the triangle should be 10 inches longer than the barrel's diameter. This will ensure that the triangles fit snugly around the barrel.
Next, measure the length of the barrel, which is usually around 35 inches, and cut two 2x4 support struts that are 4 inches longer than the barrel. These struts will form the "long side" of your frame and provide structural support. Trim and notch the triangle pieces to fit securely around the support struts. Drill a one-inch hole three inches down from the top of each triangle to accommodate the compost bin axle. Trim the tops of the triangles to bisect the holes, allowing for easy removal of the compost bin when needed.
To enhance the stability of your frame, install support blocks on the interior side of the triangles. Secure the four frame pieces together using screws, creating a sturdy base for your barrel to rest upon. For additional reinforcement, add extra 2x4 struts on the inside of the triangles to bolster the frame's base. Utilize wood scraps to assemble two "clamps" for each triangle, which will firmly secure the axle in place.
At this stage, you may want to consider adding a hinge and a latch to one end of the frame, allowing for convenient access to the compost bin. You can also paint or seal the frame to protect it from the elements, as it will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
By following these steps, you will have successfully constructed a robust and functional frame for your plastic barrel composter.
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Drilling holes for aeration
Drilling holes in your plastic barrel composter is an important step in ensuring proper aeration of your compost. Good airflow is one of the key factors in successful composting, as the bacteria that break down organic matter into compost require oxygen to function. Without sufficient oxygen, the decomposition process slows down, and the bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen environments can produce a foul odour.
When drilling holes in your plastic barrel, it is important to consider the size and placement of the holes. The holes should be large enough to allow adequate airflow but not too large that debris can escape. You can screen the holes if they are large enough to prevent debris from escaping. Drill multiple holes in the drum to further aerate the mixture. Additionally, consider drilling holes in the bottom of the barrel to serve as drainage holes. This will allow excess moisture to drain, preventing your compost from becoming too wet, which can negatively impact aeration.
Another factor to consider is the elevation of your composter. An elevated composter allows for better airflow from underneath, and it also makes it easier to drill holes and access the compost. You can build a simple frame using plywood and support struts to elevate your barrel and provide a stable base for rotation. This frame can also support a rotation pole, which is essential for keeping your compost in motion and aerated.
To further enhance aeration, you can also drill holes in the axle bed of your composter. This will allow airflow to reach the centre of the compost pile, where the temperature is the highest. By getting oxygen into this centre area, you can speed up material breakdown and create a hot composting process, which is ideal for killing weed seeds, plant pests, and diseases.
Remember, the number and size of the holes you drill will depend on the size and type of your plastic barrel. It is important to strike a balance between creating enough airflow and retaining the necessary heat and moisture for the composting process.
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Adding a lid and axle
Measure and Cut the Lid
First, you'll need to measure and cut a section of the barrel that will serve as the lid. Using a jigsaw, cut out a rectangular section measuring about 12 inches by 20 inches. This will create an opening for adding compost materials and installing other components.
Prepare the Lid
To install the lid, follow these steps:
- Secure flashing along three edges of the lid using screws. This will prevent compost from falling out when you rotate the bin.
- Add hinges on the side without flashing to allow the lid to open and close easily.
- Install locking clips across from the hinges to secure the lid when closed.
- Optionally, you can add handles to the exterior of the barrel to make it easier to spin the barrel when mixing the compost.
Install the Axle
To install the axle and create a rotating compost tumbler, follow these steps:
- Find the centre of both ends of your drum and drill a 1-inch hole in each.
- Cut eight 4x4 blocks from a 1x4 board. Drill a 1-inch hole in the centre of each block.
- Insert your dowel rod through one of the holes in the drum.
- Slide two 4x4 blocks onto the dowel rod so they are inside the barrel.
- Push the dowel rod through to the other side, leaving about 6 inches of the rod protruding on each end.
- Sandwich each end of the barrel with the 4x4 blocks - one block on the inside and one on the outside.
- Slide two more blocks over the dowel rod on the exterior and secure them with glue to prevent the barrel from sliding when turned.
- Trim the dowel rod as needed, leaving a 6-inch overhang on each side.
- Optionally, add an exterior dowel rod cap and/or apply wax to the axle to make turning smoother.
Now that your lid and axle are installed, you can continue customizing your composter by adding mixing fins or other features to improve aeration and tumbling of the compost.
Remember to place your composter in a spot that gets direct sunlight to speed up the breakdown of organic materials. Enjoy the convenience of your new rotating compost tumbler and happy composting!
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Using the correct food waste
When it comes to using a plastic barrel for composting, it's important to consider the types of food waste that will break down effectively. Here are some guidelines for using the correct food waste in your plastic barrel composter:
Firstly, it's important to understand that not all food waste is suitable for composting in a plastic barrel. The best food waste to use includes fruit and vegetable scraps, peels, and trimmings. Chop these up into small pieces to increase the surface area for microorganisms to work on, accelerating the decomposition process. You can also include items like tea bags, egg cartons, and the occasional clump of weeds or garden trimmings.
Additionally, it's crucial to maintain a balanced ratio of green and brown waste. Green waste includes items like grass clippings, vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds. Brown waste consists of dry materials such as shredded paper, cardboard, straw, and dry leaves. Aim for a ratio of about two-thirds green waste to one-third brown waste. This balance ensures that your compost has the right mix of nitrogen and carbon, promoting faster decomposition.
However, avoid using certain types of food waste in your plastic barrel. Meat, dairy products, oils, and fats should be excluded as they can attract pests and cause unpleasant odours. Similarly, avoid adding pet waste or diseased plants, as they can introduce harmful bacteria and pathogens into your compost. Also, refrain from adding large amounts of wood ash, as it can alter the pH level of your compost, affecting its effectiveness.
It's important to be mindful of the size of the food waste particles you put into your plastic barrel. Smaller pieces tend to compost faster than larger ones. Consider shredding or chopping up items like paper, cardboard, or yard waste to speed up the decomposition process. This increases the surface area available for microorganisms to break down the organic matter.
Lastly, remember to layer your food waste with soil or other carbon-rich materials like dry leaves or sawdust. This helps to create a balanced environment for decomposition and prevents your compost from becoming too wet or anaerobic. Turn and moisten the layers periodically to encourage even decomposition and maintain a healthy compost environment.
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Maintaining your compost
Moisture
Keep your compost pile moist, but not wet. Beneficial organisms that cause the compost to decompose properly cannot survive in extremely dry or soggy environments. Create an indentation at the top of the pile to hold water. Sprinkle water into the hole with a garden hose when the pile appears dry. If your compost pile is soggy, add dry chopped or mulched leaves to soak up the excess water.
Aeration
Turning or mixing the compost regularly is essential for proper air circulation, which speeds up the decomposition process. Turning the compost can be done with a pitchfork or a compost aerator. Aerating the compost pile lifts material from the bottom of the pile to the top, ensuring it gets enough oxygen. It also opens up pathways for air and "fluffs" the pile. If you have a rotating compost bin, turning the barrel regularly will achieve the same effect.
Odour and Insects
If your compost pile has a strong odour, turn it more frequently to speed up the decomposition process. Cover any exposed pieces of produce with grass clippings to discourage flying insects.
Temperature and Sun Exposure
The compost pile should not be directly exposed to the sun, wind, or rain. Strong sun dries out the pile and is hostile to microorganisms. Wind cools and dries the pile, while excessive rain can slow down the composting process and cause waterlogging and leaching of plant nutrients. The pile should be kept in a sheltered area, and the ideal temperature range should be monitored to ensure satisfactory microorganism activity.
Materials
Shred or cut materials into small pieces before placing them on the compost heap. Smaller pieces will decompose more quickly. Commonly compostable items include kitchen waste, lawn clippings, mulched leaves, disease- and pest-free plants, and shredded paper.
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Frequently asked questions
A 55-gallon recycled plastic drum is an ideal size for composting.
You will need to drill holes in the bottom of the barrel for drainage and aeration. You may also want to cut the barrel in half to make two composters or use one half as a planter.
You can compost kitchen and garden waste, including fruit and vegetable trimmings, garden trimmings, tea bags, egg cartons, and weeds.
Periodically moisten and mix the contents of your composter to encourage the composting process. You can also add a compost accelerator like Rot-It. Once your composter is full, let it rest with a porous cover on for several months while the organic matter decomposes.
