Too Lazy To Garden
All builds
Beginner
3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft cylinder
30 – 45 minutes
$25 – $45

DIY Wire Mesh Compost Bin

The simplest compost bin: a cylinder of wire mesh that lets air in, keeps piles tidy, and makes turning easy.

Estimated cost

$25 – $45

Estimated time

30 – 45 minutes

Lifespan

10+ years

Soil needed

None — produces compost

Weight empty

8–12 lbs

Weight full

400–600 lbs when full and moist

Best for

Backyard composting of kitchen scraps, leaves, grass clippings, garden waste

Placement

Partial sun speeds decomposition. Keep within easy reach of the kitchen and a hose. Good drainage is essential.

Boards to Buy

Boards to BuyQuantityWhat You Use Them For
4 ft × 50 ft hardware cloth or welded wire fencing1 rollForms the cylinder wall
Heavy-duty zip ties or fence wire6–8Join the cut ends into a circle
3–4 ft wooden stakes or T-posts3–4Hold the cylinder upright
  • ·Optional: bungee cords or tarp to cover the top
  • ·Optional: 4×4 ft scrap plywood base if the bin sits on hardscape

Steps

  1. 1Cut a 12 ft length of wire mesh. This makes a cylinder just over 3.5 ft in diameter.
  2. 2Stand the mesh on edge and overlap the ends by 6 inches.
  3. 3Secure the overlap with zip ties or fence wire every 8 inches.
  4. 4Drive stakes around the outside, one every 3 ft, and tie the cylinder to them.
  5. 5Set the bin on bare soil or over a few inches of coarse twigs for drainage.
  6. 6Start layering: 2–3 inches of browns (leaves, shredded paper), then 1–2 inches of greens (kitchen scraps, grass).
  7. 7Water each layer as you build it.
  8. 8Turn the pile with a fork every week or two once it is at least half full.
  9. 9Finished compost is dark, crumbly, and smells earthy — usually ready in 2–4 months.

Tools needed

  • ·Aviator snips or fence cutters
  • ·Work gloves
  • ·Pliers
  • ·Rubber mallet or hammer for stakes

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ·Bin too small — a 3 ft cube is the minimum to heat up
  • ·No airflow — solid sides cause anaerobic slime
  • ·Adding only greens or only browns
  • ·Putting it directly against a fence or wall

Maintenance tips

Turn the pile every 1–2 weeks. Keep it as moist as a wrung-out sponge. Cover with a tarp in heavy rain.

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