How to Make an Easy, Cheap Compost Bin (Using Chicken Wire!)
Why Composting Matters for Every Gardener
If you love gardening, you already know that compost is gold for your soil. It’s packed with nutrients and beneficial microbes that help your plants thrive.
But beyond that, composting also:
Saves money by cutting down on fertilizer and soil purchases.
Reduces household waste—you’ll reuse kitchen scraps, yard clippings, and leaves instead of throwing them away.
Creates sustainable soil health so your garden continues to flourish year after year.
And the best part? Composting doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. In fact, this DIY chicken wire compost bin will cost about $25 to make and works just as well as store-bought systems.
Common Composting Methods (and Why This One Wins)
There are many ways to compost:
Kitchen compost bins: Great for collecting scraps indoors. Look for one with a charcoal filter to prevent odors.
Compost tumblers: Convenient but often pricey ($100+).
3 Bin System: Effective but heavy, and some pallets may be chemically treated—something you don’t want near your food garden.
Electric countertop composters: Fancy, compact, and clean—but expensive.
If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, chemical-free, and homestead-approved, the chicken wire compost bin is the perfect choice.
What You’ll Need
Here’s your short shopping list for this DIY project:
10 feet of chicken wire (cut to create a 3-foot diameter circle)
Sun-proof zip ties (don’t use regular ones—they’ll break down in sunlight)
Optional: garden gloves and a small post to anchor the bin
If you already have extra chicken wire lying around from another project, this is the perfect way to repurpose it.
Step-by-Step: Building Your Chicken Wire Compost Bin
Shape the wire. Roll your chicken wire into a circle about 3 feet across.
Secure it. Use your sun-proof zip ties to fasten the ends together. Three to four ties should do the trick.
Pick a sunny spot. Choose a location that gets good sunlight and is close to a hose or water source.
Anchor if needed. Use a small post or stake on one side to keep the bin from blowing away.
That’s it! Your compost bin is ready in minutes and light enough to move whenever you need to relocate it.
What to Put in Your Compost: The Basics of Greens & Browns
Healthy compost depends on the right balance of greens and browns.
Greens (Nitrogen-Rich Materials):
Kitchen scraps
Coffee grounds
Grass clippings
Manure
Fresh leaves
Browns (Carbon-Rich Materials):
Dried leaves
Straw or wood chips
Cardboard (plain, no ink or tape)
Shredded paper
💡 Composting ratio: Aim for 2 parts browns to 1 part greens.
The greens add nutrients and energy, while the browns provide structure and airflow—preventing smells and helping everything break down faster.
My Fall Compost Routine
Fall is the perfect time to start a compost pile because you have an abundance of “browns” like dry leaves and garden clippings.
On our homestead, we often pre-compost in the chicken coop—our chickens scratch through garden scraps, reducing waste and breaking down materials. Once that bedding has cooled off (about six months), it becomes beautiful compost ready for spring planting.
Maintaining Your Compost Bin
A compost pile doesn’t need constant attention—but it does appreciate a little care.
Keep it damp, not soggy. Think “wrung-out sponge.”
Turn it every 2 weeks. Use a pitchfork or shovel to mix the layers and introduce oxygen.
Cover it. Add straw or cardboard on top to hold in moisture.
Watch the balance. If it smells bad, add more browns; if it’s too dry, sprinkle it with water.
In warmer months, you can expect usable compost in 8–12 weeks. Because the chicken wire is easy to lift, you can simply remove the frame, scoop out your finished compost, and place the wire back over a new pile.
Why I Love This Compost Setup
This DIY chicken wire compost bin is:
Affordable: Around $25 total to make.
Lightweight & Portable: Move it anywhere in your yard.
Sustainable: Uses minimal materials—often ones you already have.
Effective: Produces nutrient-rich compost without fancy gadgets.
When you lift that frame and see dark, crumbly compost ready to feed your garden, it feels like striking gardening gold.
Final Thoughts
Composting is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste, save money, and grow healthier gardens. Whether you live on a homestead or in a small backyard, this DIY chicken wire compost bin is a simple and effective way to get started.
So grab your chicken wire, zip ties, and a sunny corner—and let’s turn your scraps into soil!
