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If you do not have the room for a large compost pile, your city will not allow it, or you would just rather have it neatly tucked away out of site, a composter made out of an inexpensive garbage can might just be for you. You can even use this method if you live in an apartment or condo, and have access to a balcony or patio.

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To make a composter out of a garbage can you will need:

• Plastic garbage can with handles that clamp the lid on, size 32 gallons or larger
• Roll of fiberglass window screen
• Duct tape
• Several bricks or stones
• Bag of topsoil
• Drill
• 2-inch saw bit
• Scissors or a utility knife
• Tape measure

This project will take about an hour, and will cost about $20, depending on the size and quality of the garbage can you buy (mine was $11) and if you need to purchase a saw bit ($7).

How to build your composter:

1. Drill holes into top, bottom, and sides of the plastic garbage can with the 2-inch saw bit. Place the holes about 6 inches apart. This will provide the necessary ventilation for your compost to decompose.
2. To keep the compost from falling out of the holes, cover the inside of the garbage can with the screen.

• Cut the screen into squares, and attach the edges of the screen to the inside of the garbage can with duct tape.
• I used small squares to cover a single hole for the lid and bottom.
• I then cut larger sheets for the sides that covered 5 or 6 holes at a time.

3. Place the composter on the bricks/rocks to keep it off the ground.
4. TA-DA! You have built your composter! Now you can start composting…

What to add to your composter:

The general method of adding material to your compost is 4 parts “brown” matter to 1 part “green” matter.

Brown Matter:

Dead leaves
Shredded paper or newspaper
Brown cardboard
Small twigs
Coffee grounds

Green Matter:

Fruit and vegetable scraps
Tea leaves and bags
Egg shells
Weeds, green leaves, and plants
Grass clippings

Though the general rule is 4:1, brown to green, the real key is balance! Try for a good variety of items, and do not add too much of one thing. This gives a good balance of carbon and nitrogen contributors, which makes for effective composted soil for your garden. I always add a bit of topsoil to a new batch of compost to get it started.

DO NOT ADD pet droppings, meat, fish, chicken, dairy products, cooking oils, or non living items like plastics. Your pile will smell, attract pests, not decompose properly, and make lousy compost that could harm your plants.

How to care for your compost:

You need to make sure that your compost stays moist, but not wet. Think wet sponge instead of dirt soup. If your pile gets too wet, it will smell. If it gets to dry, it will take much, much longer to break down. I usually water mine once a week.

You will also need to keep your compost aerated (meaning, make sure it gets a lot of air). Once or twice a week, lay the bin on its side and roll it to mix the contents (make sure the lid is on tight!) This will provide the oxygen necessary for the composting process.

How to tell when your compost is done:

While your compost is breaking down, the compost will be warm. While it is composting, the temperature should be about 160 degrees farenhieght. Once it cools and you cannot identify any of the original materials, it is ready to use. If you keep the bin moist, break up larger pieces before putting them in the bin, and turn it regularly, you should have completed compost in 4-6 weeks.

How to use your compost:

• Use it in new flower beds. Mix it into the existing soil before you plant to create a nutrient rich home for your new additions.
• Use it as fertilizer for existing plants. Spread a thin layer of the compost around the base of the plants, and the nutrients will work their way to the plants roots.
• Use partially complete compost as mulch. This will also release nutrients to the plants.
• Make your own potting mix. Mix 1/3 compost with 2/3 soil for a nutrient rich mix for your potted plants. If you are starting seeds use less compost, so the plant roots have something to take a firm hold to.
• Fertilize your lawn. You should sieve the compost first, and then drop it over the lawn by hand or with a spreader.

Additional composting tips:

• I use multiple bins so one can be composting while I add materials to another.
• When you remove compost from a bin, leave about ¼ to ½ of the compost in the bin to move along the next pile. This eliminates the need to add the topsoil to the bin!
• A meat thermometer is a great way to check the temperature of the bin. Or get a Compost Thermometer.
• If you have problems with your lid popping off when you roll the bin, use a bungee cord to keep the lid on tight!

What’s Next?

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