Now that you’re ready to begin a fall composting project, it’s time to decide what type of compost pile to build. A heap pile is by far the easiest choice requiring no structure. Just make sure to keep the pile at least 3 feet high and 3 feet wide and turn for aeration regularly.
Normally these projects are made using bamboo but in this case, in hopes that it’s going towards nourishing a bamboo garden, let’s make an exception.
If you’d like something a little more structured but not labor-intensive, consider a wire-mesh holding unit. While posts are an option to provide stability when using chicken wire, they will make this “temporary” looking structure difficult to move. Instead, build your unit with hardware cloth and it will be easy to relocate and provides easier access to finished compost.
Here’s what you need to a hardware cloth compost unit:
- ½ inch-wide hardware cloth, 10 feet
- Heavy wires for tying
- 4-foot tall wooden or metal posts, 3 or 4
Here’s how to build your compost unit:
- Trim the ends of the hardware cloth to make the wires flush so that no edges are poking through. Lightly file the ends of the wire to ensure smooth edges.
- Bend the hardware cloth into a circle and stand it in place.
- Cut the heavy wire into lengths for ties.
- Using pliers, attach the ends of the hardware cloth together with the heavy wire.
For a more permanent structure, consider a fence-holding unit.
Here’s what you need to build a fence-holding unit:
- Four wooden posts, 4-5 feet long
- Heavy wire for tying
- 13 feet snow fencing, at least 3 feet tall
- Pliers
- Sledgehammer
- Work gloves
Here’s how to build your fence-holding unit:
- Decide where you want to place your holding unit and place the wooden posts in the ground 3 feet apart, forming a square.
- Cut the heavy wire into tying lengths.
- Attach the snow fence to the outside of the posts using the pliers and heavy wire.
- Using the pliers and heavy wire, attach the fence ends together to complete your 3 square foot enclosure.Make sure to visit Green Earth News for more fun and useful Bamboo Craft ideas!
