| Composting is the new buzzword and backyard | | | | That way I could use the material quickly and not |
| gardeners are taking the concept of growing food | | | | have to haul it across the yard when I was ready. In |
| into their own hands and looking for every advantage | | | | addition, it was hidden behind my shed for aesthetic |
| out there. Composting is a major component to | | | | purposes. If deciding to put a more visually pleasing |
| successfully increasing your crops and decreasing the | | | | compost box together, this may not an issue. |
| amount of organic material that end up in landfills. | | | | Step 3: Assembly - Now that I had the materials and |
| This article will provide the reader with information on | | | | location selected, it was time to make the box. I |
| creating a simple free Compost Box in three easy to | | | | stood two pallets on the end and aligned them |
| follow steps. Compost boxes are storage containers | | | | together to make an L shape. Using 3 inch screws, I |
| made of wood or plastic to house plant vegetation | | | | began to assemble the sides together. I continued to |
| for the purpose of breaking it down to a soil base | | | | add each pallet into a box formation, until fully |
| that is rich in nutrients for your new plantings. Organic | | | | assembled. Assembling in the location where it will |
| decomposition is a naturally occurring process that | | | | stay is important, since it becomes a heavy wooden |
| has existed for millions of years and when old plant | | | | box that is not easily moved when complete. |
| material like leaves, grass clippings and other | | | | After all sides were connected and the compost box |
| vegetation begins to breakdown and decompose, it | | | | was put into place, I was able to begin adding my |
| creates rich "Black Gold" for your new plants. | | | | plant material very easily into the top. Once the |
| Step 1: Free Lumber - The compost box can be a | | | | material breaks down into the rich compost, I can |
| simple design made from recycled lumber. In this | | | | remove one of the front panels to access the "Black |
| case, I came across several hardwood pallets being | | | | Gold" at the bottom. |
| discarded by a local manufacturing plant. These | | | | In summary, making a simple Compost Box is very |
| specific pallets were 3X3 and were simple to grab | | | | easy to do, and did I mention it was free? You can |
| and take home. Of course there are larger pallets | | | | use other materials for compost boxes but pallets |
| available, but these fit my needs. | | | | are specifically suited for this purpose since they are |
| Step 2: Location - Most gardeners will locate their | | | | all the same shape and size. No sawing involved, and |
| compost boxes to a remote place in the yard. In my | | | | because they are made of hardwood, they will last |
| case, I selected a place close to my bucket garden. | | | | several seasons. |