You can easily make a compost bin out of free pallets. There are instructions all over the web.

I just started practicing permaculture, and while they do believe in compost, they do a lot of "chop and drop," which is just cutting off branches and tossing them on the ground around the plants to rot. Of course, it's not pretty, and it probably isn't allowed in a deed-restricted community, but it works quite well. I usually chop mine into about 8-12 inch pieces before piling them up around the plants, so they decompose faster and don't look so bad. It really is a great way to build good soil.

I also do direct composting, which is just digging my kitchen scraps into the soil around the plants. Just make sure they are covered well, so they don't attract flies.

Thanks! I'll check out the posts over there.

I am am really glad to hear you are successful with it and I think your system sounds perfect. I could probably do that. I kid you not, I have I section about 6-8 feet deep that runs the length of the pool cage that is solid MIL tongue and arrow leaf and air potatoe vines. And that is just in that one area! That's a LOT of plant material.

I have read a little about permaculture and have been thinking about using some parts of it when I make my vegetable garden, at least. I am sure my attempts won't do it justice but if it helps the soil and helps retain moisture I am all in for that.

Not sure my comments will be what you're looking for, but will relate my minimalistic system non the less. Six yrs ago, after installing my 12' x 35' RR tie raised bed in the rear of my property, basically for bananas, I decided to install a compost bin. Not looking for commercial options, I kept it simple. Already had a 4 1/2 ft high, black plastic garbage can sitting on two wheels with a convenient wide plastic handle. It has an internal volume of approx 30 cubic ft. So I drilled holes on sides & on the removal top and situated the bin just inside the raised bed. Then ordered a small ss kitchen scaps circular tub from Amazon, set it on my kitchen counter, & simply dropped my coffee grounds, egg shells, tea bags, etc, + other kitchen scaps into it. It has two foam filters inside, under the 5 holes in the lid, - this work's great for me.

Takes me 6 months or so to fill up the outside compost bin,..which of course, includes many shovel full's of soil dumped in after a couple of the kitchen deposits. I mainly use this dark black organic compost to energize my 4 mango trees once a year, plus of course, the many banana pups. It works for me. Just my two cents ! ( smile )

That actually sounds like s fabtastic idea. :)

I'm thinking of making a worm bin for my compost out of two large Rubbermaid containers.

We piled much of it into the corner. It's a good sized pile. The hubs was not pleased and cooperated only under duress but it's a start.

Coincidentally, I passed a place giving away pallets so I'll go back and pick some up. I would like to make sides for it at least.

I had a worm farm under my sink for a while (kid's school project). I thought it was really fun and a few years ago researched the double bin when he didn't want compost at our last house.