A tidy slatted compost bin built from western red cedar fence pickets on pressure-treated 2x4 corner posts (the kind sold for ground contact). Even air gaps between the slats let the pile breathe, the top stays open for tossing in leaves and scraps, and a full-height front door swings open so you can shovel out finished compost from the bottom. Square cuts and screws only: a beginner can build it in an afternoon from ten pickets and three 2x4s.
Before you buy anything, it helps to know three things: how big the finished build is, what you’ll bring home from the store, and how the assembly goes. Here they are for the Cedar Picket Compost Bin, straight from the plan.
How big is it?
The finished size is 35-3/4 × 36 × 35 in (91 × 91 × 89 cm), width × depth × height. Measure the spot where it will stand before you start.
What you’ll buy
The shopping list comes to about $87 at the prices we saw (Sep 27 – Oct 8, 2026). Prices change, so check your own store.
| Qty | What | At the prices we saw |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2x4 PT, 8 ft | $14.34 |
| 10 | Cedar fence picket, 6 ft | $39.80 |
| 2 | 3 in galvanized broad utility hinge | $18.54 |
| 2 | 3 in zinc-plated gate hook and eye | $2.94 |
| 1 box | #8 x 1-5/8 in tan star flat-head deck screws | $10.97 |
The shopping list names what to buy; the cut list in the plan turns those boards and sheets into parts. Check both before your first cut.
Tools you need
- Tape measure
- Speed square
- Pencil
- Level
- Miter saw
- Drill/driver
- Drill bits (1/8 in and 5/32 in for pilot holes)
- T20 star driver bit
- Bar clamps (at least 2, 36 in or longer)
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Work gloves
- Dust mask
How the build goes
The plan has 8 steps, each with a drawing and the parts it uses. The plan’s own estimate is about 3–5 hours; treat it as an estimate.
- Check the stock and cut the parts
- Build the left side flat
- Build the right side flat
- Build the door flat
- Stand the sides up and screw on the back
- Hang the door
- Fit the hooks
- Place the bin and start filling
Before you start
- Compare the shopping list with the stock sizes your store actually carries.
- Check every measurement against your own materials before cutting.
- Read the safety notes at the front of the plan and wear the protective gear it lists.
What the plan includes
- Preparation packet PDF (shopping list, cut list, tools), 7 pages
- Build guide PDF, 21 pages
- Preparation packet PDF, metric (mm) (shopping list, cut list, tools), 7 pages
- Build guide PDF, metric (mm), 22 pages
- Offline animated 3D build guide (ZIP; open guide.html in a web browser; guide-metric.html for mm)
It is a digital build plan: nothing physical ships. See the plan.
These plans are for planning and personal use. They are not engineered drawings and do not claim compliance with any building code. Check local rules and use your own judgment on site.
General planning guidance. Follow your chosen plan and tools’ instructions; ask about unclear dimensions or substitutions before cutting.