Make a 55-Gallon Compost Tumbler Fast, Cheap and Easy

by Rady Ananda

Good for the environment, composting may be the single most important supplement added to your garden soil. Compost is nutrient-rich humus that fuels plant growth, suppresses disease, and revitalizes depleted soils, all while recycling your kitchen scraps. Done right, it can boost your garden productivity, saving you hundreds of dollars in fresh, organic produce costs.

Rather than spend a few hundred dollars on a compost tumbler, below are step-by-step plans for making your own.

“Nice project if you can get 55-gallon barrels for cheap; look for them at local garden supply shops for ‘food grade’ barrels,” comments ReThink Survival. This is contrary to some of the suggestions below, but makes sense, and you can find food grade drums for cheap on eBay.