Building a Compost Bin

Why use a bin instead of a pile?

A bin keeps material tidy, holds heat and moisture, and discourages scavengers. Open piles work for large volumes, but on a small place a bin is neater and often more acceptable to neighbors. Check local rules, since some towns have requirements about composting, setbacks or covering food scraps.

Think about how much material you generate. A kitchen and a small garden produce far less than a livestock operation with manure and bedding, and the bin should match.

Where should the bin go?

Choose level, well-drained ground that is convenient to the kitchen and garden. Partial shade helps keep the pile from drying out in summer, while some sun helps in cool climates. Keep it away from wells, streams and drainage paths, and ask your county extension office about local setbacks.

Leave working room on at least one side to turn or move material. If you plan to have several bins, put them side by side with space to move a wheelbarrow.

What design works best?

Many homesteads use a single bin, a two-bin system or three bins in a row. Multiple bins let one batch finish while another builds. Sides should let air in, so use slatted wood, wire mesh or pallets, and make at least one side removable for turning and unloading.

A cover keeps rain from soaking the pile and helps hold heat. Wire mesh or hardware cloth lined inside can keep rodents out. Pick materials that will not leach unwanted chemicals, and avoid treated lumber when the compost will go on a food garden.

Size matters for heat. A very small pile loses heat quickly and breaks down slowly, while a very large one is hard to turn. Your extension office can suggest a practical size for your volume of material, and a bin that you can reach into and turn without strain is the best size for you.

• Air flow through the sides
• A removable front for turning
• A lid or cover against heavy rain
• Rodent-resistant mesh at the base and openings
• Room for a pitchfork or turning tool

What goes in and what stays out?

Compost needs a mix of nitrogen-rich materials such as fresh grass clippings and food scraps and carbon-rich materials such as dry leaves, straw and shredded paper. Balance matters more than exact ratios, and extension publications can guide you.

Keep out meat, bones, dairy and greasy foods in a backyard pile, since they draw pests and smell. Do not add pet waste, diseased plants or weeds that have gone to seed unless your extension office says your system can handle them. Be careful with materials that may carry herbicide residue, such as clippings or manure from fields treated with persistent products, and ask the supplier.

How do I manage moisture and air?

A good pile feels like a wrung-out sponge. If it is dry, add water and green material, and if it is soggy and smelly, add dry carbon and turn it. Turning adds air and speeds the process, and how often you do it depends on how fast you want finished compost.

Chopping materials into smaller pieces helps them break down. Large, dense lumps such as wet grass clippings can mat and go sour, so mix them with coarser material.

Keep a simple routine: add materials in layers, give the pile a turn when you can and check moisture every week or two. If you stop turning, the pile still breaks down, only more slowly. Consistency matters more than perfection.

How do I handle odor and pests?

Smell usually signals too much moisture or too much nitrogen. Bury kitchen scraps in the center of the pile and cover them with brown material. A tight lid and mesh keep out rats and raccoons, and avoiding prohibited items removes most of the temptation.

If you see rodents, check for gaps, reduce food scraps and ask your local extension or health office about control methods that are safe around your animals and garden.

When is compost ready and how do I use it?

Finished compost is dark, crumbly and earthy-smelling, and you can no longer recognize the original materials. Time depends on the mix, the weather and how often you turn it. Use it as a soil amendment or mulch rather than as a replacement for soil.

If you compost manure or have concerns about pathogens, ask your extension office about handling times and how to use compost safely on edible crops. Wash hands after handling and wash produce before eating.

Always wash your hands after handling compost and wear gloves when working it, especially if the pile has manure or soil from questionable sources. Keep children and pets from eating compost materials.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.