Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
  • Discount Codes
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Garden

How to make an underground compost bin

A smart, eco-friendly solution. - by Melissa King
  • 28 Sep 2021

It's time to put some zing in your spring. Colour up, dig deep and be crafty outdoors as the not-too-hot days turn your garden toil into an activity to savour, where you take great pleasure in being productive.

WATCH: Simple spring gardening projects

How to make a below-ground compost bucket

If a huge compost bin doesn’t appeal, neatly bury little ones in those areas that need help with a bit of revitalising organic matter.

compost-bucket

Gather your supplies

  • Any sized plastic bucket with a lid
  • Compost ingredients such as garden debris, shredded newspaper, fruit and vegie scraps

You'll also need

  • Gloves
  • Drill
  • 9mm drill bit
  • All-purpose utility handsaw
  • Shovel

Here's how

compost

Step 1

Step 1

Drill holes in side of bucket for aeration and to create easy access for the soil micro-organisms and earthworms that will help break down your scraps into compost.

compost-bucket

Step 2

Step 2

Drill holes in rim of bucket base.

compost-bucket

Step 3

Step 3

Cut out bucket base with handsaw, starting at a drilled hole.

compost-bucket

Step 4

Step 4

Dig hole in garden bed the same depth and width as the bucket.

compost-bucket

Step 5

Step 5

Put bucket in hole, fill with garden debris, food scraps and shredded paper and pop on lid. It should be broken down enough to remove bucket in about six months.

Gardener's tip

By drilling holes in the side of the bucket before drilling and cutting the base, you retain its structural integrity and it won’t collapse on you as you drill.

You might also like

How to get rid of rats in your garden without poison or traps

5 types of mulch to keep your garden happy

10 of the best spring flowers

  • Garden
  • TV
  • Backyard Ideas
  • Front Garden Ideas
Melissa King
Melissa King
Melissa King is one of Australia’s most popular and respected garden experts and television presenters. Melissa joins the Better Homes and Gardens team as its respected garden expert. “For a gardening presenter, this is the pinnacle and I’m beyond excited to be working alongside people I have admired for years,” says Melissa.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

Cranberry chocolate crunch bundt recipe
Watch 3:53

Cranberry chocolate crunch bundt recipe

{headline}

{headline}

Graham meets the head gardener at Montalto winery, Victoria

Graham meets the head gardener at Montalto winery, Victoria

How to grow and care for roses

How to grow and care for roses

What to plant in September

What to plant in September

5 iconic essentials every Aussie backyard needs

5 iconic essentials every Aussie backyard needs

{headline}

{headline}

How to grow lavender

How to grow lavender

Graham’s favourite spring flowers

Graham’s favourite spring flowers

Weeding: this is the most accurate way to get rid of unwanted plants

Weeding: this is the most accurate way to get rid of unwanted plants

{headline}

{headline}

Charlie's must-do spring gardening jobs

Charlie's must-do spring gardening jobs

The best way to prevent weeds in your garden might surprise you

The best way to prevent weeds in your garden might surprise you

How to grow rosemary

How to grow rosemary

Graham visits a native plant garden

Graham visits a native plant garden

Melissa and Charlie’s tips for gardening in winter

Melissa and Charlie’s tips for gardening in winter

How to grow a vegie garden in a rental property

How to grow a vegie garden in a rental property

How to plant or move deciduous trees

How to plant or move deciduous trees

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Hard to Find
  • Australian Women's Weekly
© 2023 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Are Media and its brands may have generated text partially using generative AI. Upon generating draft language, our editors review, edit, and revise it to their own liking. We take ultimate responsibility for the content of our publications.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription