Last weekend, Hubs got super ambitious and decided to tackle the woodpile behind our garage. The woodpile was another "out of sight, out of mind" kind of situation.
The pile got its beginnings way back when we bought our house and began our construction projects inside. Whenever we had 2x4 scraps or unused shims, we tossed them out behind the garage. Then, when we initially cleared the yard of all its brush and tore down the greenhouse, the pile climbed even higher. And it just kept growing... It nearly doubled in size when Mom tore down the ramshackle fence while Dad and Hubs worked on the roof last fall.
The woodpile was a true eyesore, not like the beautiful stacked log piles you see Up North nestled beside a gorgeous log cabin. It was more like an ugly beaver dam; sticks and boards thrown together every which way. And not only was the pile ugly, but it was dangerous for humans and canines because most of the boards were filled with rusty nails. Hubs and I were always having to call the dogs away from the woodpile, where they liked to scavenge for chewing sticks. Praise God they never got a nail in the paw or muzzle.
So anyway, Hubs woke up last Saturday morning and announced that he was going to light up the fire pit and burn some of the wood. I was elated. By the time I ventured outside after lunch, a good bit of the pile had already been broken down and a fair portion was burned.
I was happy enough with the burning of the brush, but then Hubs announced that he wanted to use the old fence boards to build my (longed-for) compost bin. A year ago, I had picked out a cedar compost bin on Plow & Hearth. The cedar compost bin cost $149.95. I was waiting for the right time to convince Hubs that we should make the investment. I never imagined he would build me a custom bin. Hooray!
Together, we picked out the ideal location--Right behind our garage where the woodpile had already destroyed the grass. Perfectly ironic. Having it behind the garage would not only prevent us from ruining anymore grass, but it would be hidden from the patio... and hopefully out of smell range (just in case).
After scouting out the location, we decided on the design. I knew the compost bin had to be secure from the dogs and other visiting creatures, so it would need to have four complete sides and a lid while still allowing for air circulation and the occasional tossing. Judson's close call with coffee grounds a couple years ago cemented the need for a tamper proof container.
Other than that, we didn't do too much planning. We just agreed on our basic needs and came up with a rudimentary design before getting started. There were no mock ups or drawings involved. We said, "Let's shoot for this" and then Hubs got started.
For the general lack of planning that happened, I am extremely satisfied with the results. Hubs built a 4ftx4ft bin with a pallet-like floor. We put pea gravel underneath the bin and then lined the inside of three walls and the floor with chicken wire... to keep the compost in and the dogs/critters out. The fourth wall (facing the yard) was made with removable boards held on by brackets. The removable boards will allow us to easily mix the compost and then to remove the soil when it's ready for the gardens.
The bin's lid has yet to be built, but we have another rudimentary design for it when the time comes. Meanwhile, we had a celebratory ceremony where Hubs and I each threw a handful of grass clippings into the compost bin. Then yesterday, Hubs took out my first bowl of food scraps from the kitchen. I feel very Rachel Ray, having a food scrap bowl on my counter. E.V.O.O. anyone?
Oh... and the woodpile is now down to just a few more fence boards (some of which will be used for the bin's lid), some thicker logs and smaller kindling. What isn't used for the lid will eventually find its way to our fire pit. I envision lovely summer nights of sitting around the fire with my Hubs, the compost bin in my peripheral vision-- composting away my food scraps into nutrient rich soil for our blossoming garden.
Up next (after the lid gets built), an up-cycled rain barrel. Stay tuned, Casa Case is going green!
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| Looking for Easter eggs in the woodpile shortly after we moved in to our house. |
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| And here comes the fence... |
So anyway, Hubs woke up last Saturday morning and announced that he was going to light up the fire pit and burn some of the wood. I was elated. By the time I ventured outside after lunch, a good bit of the pile had already been broken down and a fair portion was burned.
I was happy enough with the burning of the brush, but then Hubs announced that he wanted to use the old fence boards to build my (longed-for) compost bin. A year ago, I had picked out a cedar compost bin on Plow & Hearth. The cedar compost bin cost $149.95. I was waiting for the right time to convince Hubs that we should make the investment. I never imagined he would build me a custom bin. Hooray!
Together, we picked out the ideal location--Right behind our garage where the woodpile had already destroyed the grass. Perfectly ironic. Having it behind the garage would not only prevent us from ruining anymore grass, but it would be hidden from the patio... and hopefully out of smell range (just in case).
After scouting out the location, we decided on the design. I knew the compost bin had to be secure from the dogs and other visiting creatures, so it would need to have four complete sides and a lid while still allowing for air circulation and the occasional tossing. Judson's close call with coffee grounds a couple years ago cemented the need for a tamper proof container.
Other than that, we didn't do too much planning. We just agreed on our basic needs and came up with a rudimentary design before getting started. There were no mock ups or drawings involved. We said, "Let's shoot for this" and then Hubs got started.
For the general lack of planning that happened, I am extremely satisfied with the results. Hubs built a 4ftx4ft bin with a pallet-like floor. We put pea gravel underneath the bin and then lined the inside of three walls and the floor with chicken wire... to keep the compost in and the dogs/critters out. The fourth wall (facing the yard) was made with removable boards held on by brackets. The removable boards will allow us to easily mix the compost and then to remove the soil when it's ready for the gardens.
The bin's lid has yet to be built, but we have another rudimentary design for it when the time comes. Meanwhile, we had a celebratory ceremony where Hubs and I each threw a handful of grass clippings into the compost bin. Then yesterday, Hubs took out my first bowl of food scraps from the kitchen. I feel very Rachel Ray, having a food scrap bowl on my counter. E.V.O.O. anyone?
Oh... and the woodpile is now down to just a few more fence boards (some of which will be used for the bin's lid), some thicker logs and smaller kindling. What isn't used for the lid will eventually find its way to our fire pit. I envision lovely summer nights of sitting around the fire with my Hubs, the compost bin in my peripheral vision-- composting away my food scraps into nutrient rich soil for our blossoming garden.
Up next (after the lid gets built), an up-cycled rain barrel. Stay tuned, Casa Case is going green!
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