Low Cost Compost Bins

Does anyone have a source for low cost compost bins? Don't really want to do my own construction, so would like to get a couple round or square plastic bins. The bins that are on stands and have a mechanism for turning are way too expensive. I rather turn it myself and monitor the temp. The prices I've seen so far are very near $100, and would really like to lower that cost somewhat. Any ideas? And thanks for the help!!!

I wish you could have been at our Master Gardener presentation at the Minneapolis Home and Garden show this weekend. There was a great talk about composting.
Compost tumblers are good in theory but in reality only good for batch composting and not continuous composting. So don't feel bad you can't afford one. Ideally your compost bin should have 3 compartments for compost in different stages of decomp. You can make them with simply posts and chicken wire, wood pallets, old lattice, hay bales, whatever can be used to contain the compost ingredients.
You should look at all the various solutions on the internet and see which one works for your particular situation.
Happy Composting!

I’m not sure where you are located? Here in CA we have extension offices, and master gardening programs etc.. I called my local extension office, and actually found a class on composting that lasted approximately 2 hours. The bonus to the program that the end of the class everyone who attended received a free compost bin! I drug my honey along with me (he is really not into gardening stuff like I am..) The plus side to this was that we received two bins, one for each of us. So now I am happily composting all our stuff. He just loves the tomatoes out of the garden on salad, and homemade pizza, and lasagna... yummy.

So I would at least look into something like that if it is available in your area? Another thought is you really truly don’t need a bin. A pile by itself can suffice just fine. The nice thing about a bin is that it makes the pile a bit easier to contain and maintain and it also looks a bit better too..

Careful, if you like composting... Before you know it you’ll get into vermicomposting too! (A big fancy word for composting with worms..) I just love my worms. I made my bin out of an old rubber maid tub that I had lying around. I went down to the local bait shop and picked up a cup of red wigglers. Voila the worms do the work and I love the results.. I use the castings on my various plants. The castings are comparable to compost on steroids! The truly best part about worms is you can go on vacation, you don’t have to tend them everyday. They won’t bug the neighbors. They quietly convert your kitchen scraps into really awesome stuff that your plants will love you for.

happy gardening!
bgrow_gardens