Cheap Compost Bin in 5 EASY Steps

You can build a simple compost bin in about 20 minutes with a basic trash can, a drill, a few bricks, and kitchen scraps. This video walks through drilling airflow and drainage holes, smoothing sharp plastic edges, setting the bin on bricks, adding soil, leaves, food scraps, and a little water, then mixing it into a working compost setup. Cheap, fast, and perfect for a beginner homestead or backyard garden.

What we learned

This project is the kind of thing we started documenting because homesteading advice can get weirdly polished online. Real life has kids leaving gates open, water freezing at the worst possible moment, animals discovering the one weak spot in the fence, and adults realizing they should have measured twice before buying once.

The big takeaway from this video: build the system so normal people can keep using it when everyone is tired. If a chore only works when the most motivated adult remembers every step, it is not a system yet. It is a wish wearing boots.

Gear and supplies mentioned

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• Outdoor trash can with locking lid
• Cordless drill
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses
• Garden hand trowel
• Compost thermometer
• Compost aerator tool

Field notes summary

• This project turns an inexpensive trash can into a simple compost bin with drilled airflow holes.
• The setup is beginner-friendly, low-cost, and small enough for a normal backyard or starter homestead.
• Composting does not need to begin with a perfect three-bin system; it can start with kitchen scraps, airflow, and consistency.
• The main lesson: build the version you will actually use, then improve it as your garden grows.

Blog tags

composting, garden projects, DIY homestead, kitchen scraps, soil health