You do not need to buy any compost additives. All you need to do is shovel in a couple shovel fulls of soil when you layer it. A 4x4x4 pile of compost might need about 8 shovel fulls. One shovel full of soil is worth more than a box of additives.
Why did you place the galvanised pallets on the bottom? You prevent one of the most important elements of composting - the worms - from getting to your material!!
I've done this using pallets, too. It was a great success even though mine didn't look nearly as neat as yours. But I applaud your sustainable activities - both the composting and the fact that you built your bins from reclaimed materials. Good luck!
@BobbySoFamous - Sorry. I guess I should have got footage of standing three pallets upright and screwing them together with the brakets I showed. Tool used: screwdriver. Hope that helps
@vegipower No need to be rude. Not everyone has mechanical skills and want to learn to be . So, when people post "how to" Many watch in hope to actually learn how to, instead recieve a smart ass remark because they exspress their disappointment . @BobbySoFamous, try googling Pallet Compost Plans" there is plenty of other poster(s) who don't mind offering building experience to those just starting.
@amusingisthedawn Two to three is pretty standard to flip the more mature compost over to the next bin as it get sready to be used, and newer materials/food scraps in the first. Over three would be more work and space needed, but could work fine too.
@amusingisthedawn yeah cause when it starts to move down you move it to the next stage so when you put new stuff in the first youll have some in the last. idk if you know what i mean
Don't forget the coffee grounds..Has any one in here look at the price of compost bin.it absurd the price's when you can make one like this.for nearly nothing
Really good video ... yours is the first one I took at look at because I am wanting to repurpose pallets for a composting system as well and yours looks very nice and the video is very informative. Thanks very much!
Good idea but your better off having it right on the ground open bottom to allow worms and all the good bugs into your compost to speed up the process.Plus no issue of having it too wet
Good idea but your better off having it right on the ground open bottom to allow worms and all the good bugs into your compost to speed up the process.Plus no issue of having it too wet
Good idea but your better off having it right on the ground open bottom to allow worms and all the good bugs into your compost to speed up the process.Plus no issue of having it too wet
@earthchild8987 Yeah that's what I was thinking - everything I've ever read about composting says you need it on the ground do bacteria, worms etc can get in there. Very strange to put the steel bottoms on.
Try what I do with my egg shells. I save my egg shells in a small bucket outside so they can dry in the sun (drying them cuts down on any bad smells). Once I have collected about 20 egg shells, I fill my kitchen blender 1/2 with water. Then add the egg shells. They get blended up and I pour it in my compost bin
@DUDCLEV - That's a good idea! I now just crush them in my hand and toss in the kitchen bin ready to go out. With mixing the pile all the time, the peices get pretty small.....not as small a blender though :-)
find some old gutters from a house and u can put them under the spout on the metal pad, then have them slope to one side where you could have a hole in the ground. place a garbage can in it so you can use the "tea". i would suggest trying to keep it covered so you dont fall in it
@MAGTRAIN - Thats a great idea actually! I have not done anything yet to collect the "tea", but that sounds pretty easy. Maybe put a hard gutter guard on top to keep regular rain water out and just get the concentrated stuff. Hmmmm...
@vegipower thanks, also could put a bucket under each spout, maybe a 5 gallon, then if it gets full dump it back on top to keep it wet or use in garden, cheers
Im doing the pallet system next spring. You are so right about the plastic trash can composter its difficult to turn. I have to dump it out and put it back in.
I'm curious why you would want to keep it off the ground where the worms and soil life couldn't get to it. It's been about a year, I'd be interested to find out any updates.
@GrdnovGreens - Our soil has a lot of clay which makes it less porous and not too many worms here. It keeps compost pile from being sopping wet at the bottom after rains. In other areas the ground should work just fine. Some put a pallet on the bottom too, to allow air flow all around and speed decomposition, but rot out the pallet much faster. Good luck to you!
UPDATE -Since it has been almost a year -It basically works pretty well. It just sits there most of the time. We ad food scraps and flip around weekly. The food disappears withing a week or so and no problems(except the egg shells and bigger items).I thought we would have good enough compost for my summer garden, but it wasn't quite there yet. It will be very good come the spring. We Never attempted to extract the compost juice from the bottom.....too many other projects going on!!
good job vegipower. Im using plastic trash cans now with holes drilled for air to get in and out and they all 3 sit on the only pallet I had. Im going to try this ware house place that has tons of pallets and see what they charge.
@Allen2045 - That should work well too. Just have enough holes on the bottom to allow water to drain out. Will it be difficult to stir up and flip your compost in a trash can? Wish you the best!
i wish i could have that much space on my city ...but at least have a bin that helps me out with my plants ..its in it better not to have anything on the botton of the compost ?
@hugocasarrubias - sorry for the late reply. I will use my riding mower w/ catcher. If they are not small enough the first time, I dump them out and go through the blades again. They DO need to small to decompose faster
@Roppelca - Actually, I ended up leaving the doors resting in front. They stay pretty well and most of the compost is along the back. If I do hang them I will likely uses some old door hinges I have laying around.
1too3fore - Great question! We already do....it's called a septic system. Millions of properites have them. Let me know if you have any other intuitive thoughts
If I was on city or county water that may be true, but most people w/ septic also have a well. There is no wasting YOUR/our drinking water. The water taken from the aquifer goes right back in the earth on the same property. No water treatment plants, no cost to transport long distances, no wasted water. You don't use toilets? If you really have a better idea how human waste can be used I would be interested to hear. Otherwise, stop throwing hate & negative comments around without answers
@vegipower Nice bin. I've been looking for something like your three-bin system; it would seem to make the turning much easier since you'd have one bin open all the time.
Yes, a septic tank works well at recycling human waste; the water percolates down and replenishes the ground water.
@damontoney - Thanks! I hope that yours turns out well. This set-up has been working well. I can have one open to flip around and have two different "batches" going at the same time.
Hey there, vegi. Not sure where you're at, but in North and East Texas, most folks who are on septic do not have a well.
Doesn't matter, anyways. Humanure composting is great. I will be building a new home here on my 2 acres, and we will have no septic. We will have lovable loo, and rainwater catchment/filtering system. Also, a bicycle powered washing machine, greywater system, passive solar water heater, wood burning stove for heat, and a square foot garden. Heavenly!
You do not need to buy any compost additives. All you need to do is shovel in a couple shovel fulls of soil when you layer it. A 4x4x4 pile of compost might need about 8 shovel fulls. One shovel full of soil is worth more than a box of additives.
navajopa31 1 week ago
Perfect find and good thinking!
Vilibrato 1 week ago
Nice video. I appreciate it and am starting one this weekend with my son.
babyhorsey6 2 weeks ago
this is cool can get plattes from my job
ERASRone 3 weeks ago
Man, you guys must have some pretty hardcore worms that would crawl around in a compost bin that's 140 degrees!
D9VIN 1 month ago
@D9VIN That is right, but worms love it when the compost has finished composting because it is no more heat.
navajopa31 1 week ago
The bottom of the compost should touch the dirt below to allow earthworms to rise and greatly speed up the decomposition process.
arbonac 3 months ago 2
Why did you place the galvanised pallets on the bottom? You prevent one of the most important elements of composting - the worms - from getting to your material!!
daithithegom 3 months ago
How many pallets would you need for a 2 bin pile
Bonsall1996 4 months ago
I've done this using pallets, too. It was a great success even though mine didn't look nearly as neat as yours. But I applaud your sustainable activities - both the composting and the fact that you built your bins from reclaimed materials. Good luck!
TheBlueGoatTX 4 months ago
don't use the galvanized pannels in the bottom...you're poisoning your compost with zink...look it up on the internetz!!!
atzerath 4 months ago
i only wish there was actual 'how to' since that's what's in the title. you don't show assembling the bins at all, just showing the finished product
BobbySoFamous 7 months ago
@BobbySoFamous - Sorry. I guess I should have got footage of standing three pallets upright and screwing them together with the brakets I showed. Tool used: screwdriver. Hope that helps
vegipower 7 months ago 10
@vegipower I think that the previous comment was unfounded. Your video showed ALL that was needed to put this project together.
I don't have enough pallets yet to make the 'three bin' system, but your vid has helped enormously with the concepts involved.
Thanks! :)
mikenco 6 months ago
@vegipower No need to be rude. Not everyone has mechanical skills and want to learn to be . So, when people post "how to" Many watch in hope to actually learn how to, instead recieve a smart ass remark because they exspress their disappointment . @BobbySoFamous, try googling Pallet Compost Plans" there is plenty of other poster(s) who don't mind offering building experience to those just starting.
MischievousKittie 3 weeks ago
@BobbySoFamous Little common sense goes a long ways..
Tewrobert 1 month ago
@Tewrobert yes. instruction manuals should just say "use common sense" instead of showing you the steps that go into making something.
BobbySoFamous 1 month ago
Instead of letting it sit, make a Hugelkultur with it :)
Rhinoch8 7 months ago
Can you sit the compost on the ground or would using another pallet on the ground be better?
Is there any time of the year you should compost?
jimbuckleybarrett 8 months ago
I have been told that treated wood is bad for the compost
2DAREPUBLICAMEXICANA 9 months ago
@2DAREPUBLICAMEXICANA Treated with chemicals, yes. Most pallets in the US are only heat treated and do not contain chemicals.
mar504 7 months ago
Is there any reason most people choose 3 bins? Just curious.
amusingisthedawn 9 months ago
@amusingisthedawn Two to three is pretty standard to flip the more mature compost over to the next bin as it get sready to be used, and newer materials/food scraps in the first. Over three would be more work and space needed, but could work fine too.
vegipower 9 months ago
@amusingisthedawn yeah cause when it starts to move down you move it to the next stage so when you put new stuff in the first youll have some in the last. idk if you know what i mean
jlavalla100 4 months ago
@amusingisthedawn Brown , green and finished product is usually why most pick 3 bin areas. 4 if they do worm bins.
MischievousKittie 3 weeks ago
Don't forget the coffee grounds..Has any one in here look at the price of compost bin.it absurd the price's when you can make one like this.for nearly nothing
mogges1 9 months ago
Really good video ... yours is the first one I took at look at because I am wanting to repurpose pallets for a composting system as well and yours looks very nice and the video is very informative. Thanks very much!
BohemianSimplicity 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Good idea but your better off having it right on the ground open bottom to allow worms and all the good bugs into your compost to speed up the process.Plus no issue of having it too wet
MrIssac82 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Good idea but your better off having it right on the ground open bottom to allow worms and all the good bugs into your compost to speed up the process.Plus no issue of having it too wet
MrIssac82 10 months ago
Good idea but your better off having it right on the ground open bottom to allow worms and all the good bugs into your compost to speed up the process.Plus no issue of having it too wet
MrIssac82 10 months ago
curious, but how long does it take to break down... without the soil microbes, worms, etc being able to reach it?....
earthchild8987 11 months ago
@earthchild8987 Yeah that's what I was thinking - everything I've ever read about composting says you need it on the ground do bacteria, worms etc can get in there. Very strange to put the steel bottoms on.
gregmcp 8 months ago
Try what I do with my egg shells. I save my egg shells in a small bucket outside so they can dry in the sun (drying them cuts down on any bad smells). Once I have collected about 20 egg shells, I fill my kitchen blender 1/2 with water. Then add the egg shells. They get blended up and I pour it in my compost bin
DUDCLEV 11 months ago
@DUDCLEV - That's a good idea! I now just crush them in my hand and toss in the kitchen bin ready to go out. With mixing the pile all the time, the peices get pretty small.....not as small a blender though :-)
vegipower 11 months ago
Comment removed
DUDCLEV 11 months ago
find some old gutters from a house and u can put them under the spout on the metal pad, then have them slope to one side where you could have a hole in the ground. place a garbage can in it so you can use the "tea". i would suggest trying to keep it covered so you dont fall in it
MAGTRAIN 1 year ago
@MAGTRAIN - Thats a great idea actually! I have not done anything yet to collect the "tea", but that sounds pretty easy. Maybe put a hard gutter guard on top to keep regular rain water out and just get the concentrated stuff. Hmmmm...
vegipower 1 year ago
@vegipower thanks, also could put a bucket under each spout, maybe a 5 gallon, then if it gets full dump it back on top to keep it wet or use in garden, cheers
MAGTRAIN 1 year ago
I love it man
cursetheman 1 year ago
Im doing the pallet system next spring. You are so right about the plastic trash can composter its difficult to turn. I have to dump it out and put it back in.
Allen2045 1 year ago
I'm curious why you would want to keep it off the ground where the worms and soil life couldn't get to it. It's been about a year, I'd be interested to find out any updates.
GrdnovGreens 1 year ago
@GrdnovGreens - Our soil has a lot of clay which makes it less porous and not too many worms here. It keeps compost pile from being sopping wet at the bottom after rains. In other areas the ground should work just fine. Some put a pallet on the bottom too, to allow air flow all around and speed decomposition, but rot out the pallet much faster. Good luck to you!
vegipower 1 year ago
@vegipower Being off the ground keeps tree roots out too. They can quickly take over a bin.
Tybeenian81 1 year ago
@vegipower Being off the ground keeps tree roots out too. They can quickly take over a bin.
Tybeenian81 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@vegipower Being off the ground keeps tree roots out too. They can quickly take over a bin.
Tybeenian81 1 year ago
@vegipower Being off the ground keeps roots from taking over your bins too.
Tybeenian81 1 year ago
@vegipower Being off the ground keeps roots from taking over your bins too.
Tybeenian81 1 year ago
UPDATE -Since it has been almost a year -It basically works pretty well. It just sits there most of the time. We ad food scraps and flip around weekly. The food disappears withing a week or so and no problems(except the egg shells and bigger items).I thought we would have good enough compost for my summer garden, but it wasn't quite there yet. It will be very good come the spring. We Never attempted to extract the compost juice from the bottom.....too many other projects going on!!
vegipower 1 year ago
good job vegipower. Im using plastic trash cans now with holes drilled for air to get in and out and they all 3 sit on the only pallet I had. Im going to try this ware house place that has tons of pallets and see what they charge.
Allen2045 1 year ago
@Allen2045 - That should work well too. Just have enough holes on the bottom to allow water to drain out. Will it be difficult to stir up and flip your compost in a trash can? Wish you the best!
vegipower 1 year ago
Nice bin. what do you use to chip your leaves? how much does it cost?
Hobohube 1 year ago
i wish i could have that much space on my city ...but at least have a bin that helps me out with my plants ..its in it better not to have anything on the botton of the compost ?
hugocasarrubias 1 year ago
@hugocasarrubias - sorry for the late reply. I will use my riding mower w/ catcher. If they are not small enough the first time, I dump them out and go through the blades again. They DO need to small to decompose faster
vegipower 1 year ago
@vegipower thanks fro your time an aDVICE ...
hugocasarrubias 1 year ago
Awesome. Thanks for a great video. Can't wait to make my own. =)
bludflower 1 year ago
how did you put the door on? Is it on hinges? Also, does this need a top?
Thanks! Great job on your video!
Roppelca 1 year ago
@Roppelca - Actually, I ended up leaving the doors resting in front. They stay pretty well and most of the compost is along the back. If I do hang them I will likely uses some old door hinges I have laying around.
vegipower 1 year ago
Great video, keep sharing.
TheOriginalYouth 1 year ago
Thank you a lot I really want to do this. Thanks
jonnham 1 year ago
nice video, when you gonna try to compost your familys human waste?
1too3fore 1 year ago
1too3fore - Great question! We already do....it's called a septic system. Millions of properites have them. Let me know if you have any other intuitive thoughts
vegipower 1 year ago
Not such a great answer. Keep on wasting our drinking water by flushing it down the toilet. So many narrow minded people on here like you.
1too3fore 1 year ago
If I was on city or county water that may be true, but most people w/ septic also have a well. There is no wasting YOUR/our drinking water. The water taken from the aquifer goes right back in the earth on the same property. No water treatment plants, no cost to transport long distances, no wasted water. You don't use toilets? If you really have a better idea how human waste can be used I would be interested to hear. Otherwise, stop throwing hate & negative comments around without answers
vegipower 1 year ago 6
@vegipower Nice bin. I've been looking for something like your three-bin system; it would seem to make the turning much easier since you'd have one bin open all the time.
Yes, a septic tank works well at recycling human waste; the water percolates down and replenishes the ground water.
damontoney 1 year ago
@damontoney - Thanks! I hope that yours turns out well. This set-up has been working well. I can have one open to flip around and have two different "batches" going at the same time.
vegipower 1 year ago
@vegipower
Hey there, vegi. Not sure where you're at, but in North and East Texas, most folks who are on septic do not have a well.
Doesn't matter, anyways. Humanure composting is great. I will be building a new home here on my 2 acres, and we will have no septic. We will have lovable loo, and rainwater catchment/filtering system. Also, a bicycle powered washing machine, greywater system, passive solar water heater, wood burning stove for heat, and a square foot garden. Heavenly!
BooKittyRadley 1 year ago
Very nice
PORKY32323232 2 years ago