Build Your Own Compost Turning Unit: Barrel & 3-Bin Systems

Turning units speed composting by aerating and mixing materials. Two DIY-friendly designs: barrel tumblers and three-bin wooden systems.

Barrel Compost Tumbler

Mount a plastic or metal barrel horizontally on a frame with a crank handle. Drill aeration holes. Add a latched door for loading. Turn every few days. Simple, rodent-proof, and great for small spaces.

Three-Bin Wooden System

Build three 3×3×3 ft bins side by side (open front). Use 2×4s for sides, 2×6s for base slats. Screw slats to horizontal rails for airflow.

How it works:

• Bin 1: Fresh materials
• Bin 2: Actively decomposing (turned from Bin 1)
• Bin 3: Finished compost, ready to harvest

Rotate materials through the bins. Continuous cycle, no heavy lifting all at once.

Other Options

Vermicomposting (worm bins) for kitchen scraps. Simple piles covered with black plastic. Garbage cans with drilled holes. The best system is the one you'll actually use.