If you can find pallets you can tie or wire four together in a square. No need to put anything on the bottom, just compost on the ground. If you plant a fast growing vine around it for "pretty" it will fade into the background. You might even stain the wood brown or whatever ties in colorwise with your landscaping. If you have space you could do two or three of these and have compost in different stages.

Hi dgriffin - there are all kinds of posts here on how to build all kinds of bins from simple 3 sided bins from pallets tied together to fancy tumblers. But the best place to start is with the FAQ on composting. You'll find suggestions there for different types of bins you can make.

Then check out these discussions for a start.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/soil/msg0515472921942.html

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/accessible/msg031948455873.html

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/soil/msg0109074524835.html

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/verm/msg042040421641.html

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Composting FAQ's

You can use the garbage can. Just take a box knife and cut some holes in the bottom (4 is enough) for drainage, and maybe another 4 a ways down from the top for more ventilation. I've done it, and it works fine.

Another simple one is a 10-ft length of 2x4" mesh wire fencing (3ft tall), formed into a circle and fastened with 3 cable ties (zip ties). If you want the sides disguised, just line it with some cardboard, and fill. A 'lid' of cardboard or nice golden straw shouldn't offend anyone.

Sue

You asked about where to get wood pallets. Any store that receives shipments of merchandise by truck has them and most offer them free for the talking. Check with the shipping/receiving dept. at Walmart, Sears, Home dept, Lowe's, or any large dept. store's near you.

Dave

Here is a photo of 4 bins I made from recycled cyclone fence. When filling the bin, I will put 3 or 4 pieces of ½" recycled conduit across the opening so I wonÂt have to lift every thing 4 ft to get it in the bin. I keep adding conduit until the bin is full. After a few days you can move the conduit to the next bin and turn the compost or start a new bin.


John

{{gwi:292048}}

I use seven 4' diameter or 4' by 8' mesh bins made of 1/4" mesh hardware cloth. They are either 18" or 24" high, and the core can reach 165F.

They cost about $14 each, and can be put up in five minutes, and moved faster than that. They are low profile from an appearance point of view. If I could find stainless steel I would buy a roll of it, even though it would be much more expensive.