Table of Contents
Making the Base of Compost Bin
When making a brick structure for composting, it’s important to create a sturdy and stable base to support the weight of the structure and the composting materials. Here are a few options for creating a base for your brick structure:
Concrete Pad
If you are sure that you are going to use some particular place as your pit for a very long time, you can make a concrete base for the brick compost structure. You can either buy a concrete slab or pour liquid concrete on the area and let it dry before you start putting bricks over it. This will be a very strong option and will last for years.
Gravel or Stone Base
Another option that we have is Gravel or stone. This option is a little cheaper than a concrete structure. For this, you first dig the ground a bit for like 3-5 inches in the ground and fill it with gravels or stones and then compact it to create a solid base. This will also provide a nice base for your structure and will also help a bit in air circulation through the bottom.
Compact Soil Base
If you don’t like any of the two options above, you can just use the ground as your base. Just remove the grass clippings from the soil and use a roller or any other heavy object to make the soil compact. This option is the most affordable out of all three we saw.
Whichever option you choose, make sure to create a level and stable base that will support the weight of the brick structure and the composting materials. A stable base will ensure that your brick structure lasts for many years and provides effective composting for your garden or farm.
Making the Upper Structure of the Bin
To make a brick structure for composting, you will need to gather the following materials:
- Bricks: You will need bricks to create a square or rectangular structure that is at least 3 feet high.
- Wooden stakes: You will need four wooden stakes that are at least 2 feet long or whatever you want dimensions of your pit.
- Twine or rope: You will need twine or rope to tie the wooden stakes together so that they don’t move.
Here are the steps to follow to make a brick structure for composting:
Choose the right location
Make sure that the location you decided receives plenty of sunlight(at least 4-5 hours a day) and is easily accessible so you can keep a regular check on the compost.
Do the Marking
Mark the corners of the pit you wanna build using a shovel so that you know where you have to build the brick structure.
Setup Wooden Stakes
Drive wooden stakes into the ground on the border of the pit and tie them with ropes so that they stand sturdy there. If your base is soil, then you can also use a hammer to fix it into the soil properly.
Tie Stakes Together
Tie the stakes together using twine or rope so that they stand stable and you’re ready to build the structure.
Start putting bricks
Start putting the bricks around the perimeter of the wooden stakes. You can use mortar in between of the stakes so that you get a more stable structure and bricks will not fall due to small disturbances.
Keep adding layers of bricks till you hit the desired height of the structure.
NOTE: Make sure you leave some gap in between the bricks so that you can maintain proper airflow in the compost.
If you use mortar in between the bricks, just give it some time to try. Once the mortar dries, you’ll have a solid brick compost bin ready for you to use. Just put the right combination of greens & browns into the bin and do your composting.
Benefits of Brick Compost Bin
A brick compost bin is durable
Brick compost bin which is built using mortar in between are highly durable and can last for years. Normally, most of the compost bins that are available in that market are made up of plastic which is good but bricks as we know, are definitely more durable than plastic.
Low Maintenance
It’s almost a one-time thing building a brick compost bin as they require very low maintenance and if you handle it with a little care, they can last for ages which will save a lot of your time and effort.
Temperature Regulation
As bricks tend to be amazing insulators, brick compost bins regulate the temperature inside them and maintain a good temperature for the worms and bacteria to perform decomposition at an optimal rate.
Aesthetics
They tend to blend well in the garden and can be decorative too for the landscape. Just maintain good hygiene outside the bin and there is no problem at all if you know how to do composting so that no bad odour comes out of it.
Overall, a brick compost bin can be a great investment for anyone who wants a durable, attractive, and easy-to-maintain composting solution.
