Three Low-Cost Compost Tumblers

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The first and simplest of MOTHER EARTH NEWS' three compost tumblers uses a 55 gallon drum set on steel roller skate wheels attached to a wooden stand.
The first and simplest of MOTHER EARTH NEWS' three compost tumblers uses a 55 gallon drum set on steel roller skate wheels attached to a wooden stand.
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The final tumbler uses a discarded hot water tank as the containment vessel.
The final tumbler uses a discarded hot water tank as the containment vessel.
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The cloverleaf tumbler uses three barrel halves bolted together. You will need two barrels to do this, so make sure they're the same size.
The cloverleaf tumbler uses three barrel halves bolted together. You will need two barrels to do this, so make sure they're the same size.

If there’s one thing that most avid gardeners will agree upon, it’s this: Compost is unequaled as a soil conditioner and enricher. The wonderful substance fertilizes, aerates, and adds valuable humus to the soil. And, best of all, it’s free!

Yet many “tillers of the soil” avoid making and using this organic elixir at all because of the labor, care, and nurturing that is traditionally involved with maintaining a compost heap. Still other gardeners build elaborate compost bins, fill them, and then fret over the decomposing mounds like a hen over her chicks.

It’s unfortunate that such an intimidating mystique has developed around such a basic substance. Compost is, after all, simply decayed organic matter, and all of the complicated techniques, recipes, and procedures that have been developed merely help Mother Nature do her job a little faster, and with less unpleasant odor. The fact is, you can have these advantages and simplicity too, with any one of the compost tumblers we’ve designed.

You’ve no doubt seen these composting drums advertised. They are high-quality, “last a lifetime” units, but the commercial models usually carry a price tag of $225 or more! That’s precisely why MOTHER EARTH NEWS’ researchers have developed three different build-’em-yourself composters that [1] are not only every bit as good as the commercial ones, but [2] can be constructed in an hour or two for as little as $8.54! Furthermore, you won’t need a lot of fancy tools to build any one of these nifty tumblers. In fact, you can get along just fine with a handsaw, a power drill, an electric saber saw, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers. The only thing you might want to purchase is a pop rivet tool, and you can even “work around” this item by merely bolting certain components together.

These homemade revolving compost bins are not at all complex. In fact, regardless of the type you decide to build, there are only three basic parts: [1] the drum that holds the decomposing material, [2] a loading/unloading door on this drum, and [3] a stand to keep the whole shebang at a convenient level and to provide clearance for the drum to rotate. We’ve worked up three designs so that you’ll be able to tailor your equipment to fill your own composting needs.

  • Published on Mar 1, 1979
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