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wikiHow to Build a Cedar Lattice Compost Bin

This bin is built using one 4x8 sheet of the extra-thick lattice panels. The "open" feature of the lattice allows for quicker, easier composting. It's easy to take apart, which is all you have to do when you want to use the compost. This good-sized box is best for vegetable gardeners - a place to compost your grass, carrot tops, corn shucks, tomato stems - anything from your garden.

The 24-inch dimension means that no part of the interior is ever more than 1 foot (0.3 m) from available sources of oxygen and nitrogen - critical for complete composting. This means you don't have to touch your compost after throwing it in - no stirring, no turning, no layering, no having to transfer from one bin to another. The 2-foot narrow dimension assures that your yard waste, etc. will compost evenly and completely over the course of the composting year. If you need faster composting, Build a Tumbling Composter.


  1. 1
    Buy 1 4-by-8 panel of the extra-thick cedar lattice. This is usually made with 3/8-inch thick cedar strips.
  2. 2
    Cut the sheet across the 4-foot dimension into three pieces of equal length. Each piece should then be 32-inches by 48-inches.
  3. 3
    Cut one of these 32-by-48-inch pieces in half. Now you have two pieces each 24-by-32-inches. See the accompanying pictures. When finished you'll end up with a compost box 48-inches long, 24-inches wide, and 32-inches high.
  4. 4
    Beef up all the 32-inch sides by attaching 32-inch pieces of 2-by-2, 1-by-4, or even scrap plywood. This is shown in the pictures above where the four finished pieces are laid out. Drill holes for the screws through the cedar to prevent splitting. Use bright-finish wallboard screws with small washers - again to prevent splitting.
  5. 5
    Buy 8 sets of hook-and-eye fasteners and install them as shown. These should be 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 cm) down from the top and the same up from the bottom. Drilling pilot holes makes it much easier to screw these in. Put the hooks on the long side and eyes on the short sides - it doesn't actually make a difference, but being consistent makes it much easier to assemble the box.
    • These images provide good views of the scrap used to beef up the sides of the panels.
  6. 6
    Attach the long sides to the short sides with the hooks and eyes and - voila!
  7. 7
    Place this bin somewhere in your garden, on one side, at one end or corner, or in the middle. This way, when it's time to spread your compost, simply remove the sides and spread the contents with a rake - no having to fill and dump a wheelbarrow. Next growing season place the bin somewhere else in the garden.
  8. 8
    Leave the bin uncovered. You can leave it open to the rain. The water soaks through and carries nutrients to the roots of the nearest plants. You'll notice those plants next to the bin will grow like they're on steroids. If you want to cover your bin, do so with something that will let in some rain or water from your sprinkler - a piece of plywood with holes drilled into it - or even a few boards. The spaces between the boards will let in some water.

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    • You can use the regular 1/8th-inch lattice but you should brace the long sides as shown in the two accompanying shots. The 1/8-inch or 3/16-inch panels just aren't strong enough to hold compost piled up to 32 inches (81.3 cm). The extra-thick cedar lattice has the added advantage of lasting for several years.

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    Categories: Featured Articles | Compost Containers

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