Building a Compost Box

Having a compost box in your own backyard is an excellent idea, especially for keen gardeners. Compost is an excellent fertilizer, as well as an environmentally friendly way to get rid of perishable waste. Of course, this box could also be used as a simple storage box.

Get your own free plan for this compost box as well as the list of materials required for the project. For viewing and printing, you will need to use Acrobat Reader software.
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Practical advice
1. Cutting the wood
2. The base of the box
3. The side frames
4. The sides
5. The doors

Practical advice

  • For this project, select-grade pressure-treated pine makes a better choice than regular treated pine, because select-grade lumber is generally straighter and therefore easier to work.

  • Remember that the dimensions of lumber boards are given in what are known as "nominal" sizes. This means that lumber sold as a 2 × 6 is not actually 2 in. by 6 in. but in fact 1 ½ in. 5 ½ in. Actual dimensions are always ½ inch less than the nominal measurement.

1. Cutting the wood

Cut and prepare all the pieces of wood. Make sure you number them clearly, as shown on pages 1 to 5 of the plan.

No. 5 pieces are 3 ½ in. thick at one end and 5 ½ in. thick at the other end.

2. The base of the box

2.1 

Following the diagram on page 6 of the plan, assemble the base of the box using 2 ½-in. treated wood screws. You may have to pre-drill the holes to make the task easier.

2.2 

Using 2 ½-in. screws, install plywood panel no. 4, which forms the bottom of the box.

3. The side frames

3.1 

Assemble the side frames according the diagram on page 7 of the plan. Pre-drill holes in the no. 8 pieces to make the next step easier.

3.2 

Insert 2 ½-in. screws into the pre-drilled holes in the no. 8 pieces. Fix the side frames into place in the base of the box.

3.3 

Next, using 2 ½-in. screws, assemble the no. 9 pieces, which make up the back frame of the box. Pre-drill holes in the shelf (no. 10) and secure it in place with 1 ½-in. screws.

4. The sides

4.1 

Using 1-in. screws, secure the lattice and its frames over the openings that you made in plywood pieces nos. 11 and 14, making sure that you attach the lattice framework on the inside of the box.

4.2 

Next, install all the plywood sides using 2 ½-in. screws.

5. The doors

5.1 

Secure the top door hinges in place with 1-in. screws. Make sure the hinges are placed on the back edge of the box so that the door opens fully.

5.2 

Fix the no. 21 pieces to the edges of the top doors. Then, attach the doors to the hinges using ½-in. screws.

5.3 

Next, install the hinges for the front doors using ½-in. screws. Calculate the distance required for the hinges by first placing the doors so that they meet in the centre of the box. When you have measured the right position for the hinges, secure them to the box.

5.4 

Attach the front doors to the hinges using ½-in. screws.
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