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A Hunker report outlines a DIY compost enclosure built by stacking about 30 to 35 concrete blocks without mortar. The open-front design allows access to turn and check the pile, while gaps or block cavities can provide airflow. Costs, local availability and the structure’s long-term performance depend on the materials and site.
A Hunker report describes a mortar-free backyard compost enclosure made by stacking about 30 to 35 concrete blocks, offering gardeners a sturdy alternative to bins made from lighter materials. The design leaves the front open for access and uses gaps or the blocks’ hollow cores to support airflow through the compost pile.
The report says a single enclosure can be assembled in less than a day, though it does not provide a tested labor estimate or guarantee. Its suggested layout begins with a back wall of four to five blocks per row, then adds side walls of similar length. The fourth side remains open so the gardener can add material, turn the pile and check its temperature.
Builders stack additional rows to raise the walls, with about four rows at the back and side walls that may taper toward the front. The report recommends staggering the blocks rather than aligning every joint. It says the hollow sides can face inward, or spaces can be left between blocks, to allow air to reach the compost.
For materials, Hunker suggests checking local online listings, construction sites, junk haulers and Habitat ReStore outlets for used or free blocks. It also gives an example of new 8-by-8-by-16-inch blocks priced at less than $3 each at Home Depot when the report was written. That price is a source-specific example, not a current or universal estimate; the total cost will vary with local prices and the number of blocks needed.
A Reusable Structure for Backyard Compost
The design gives gardeners a way to contain organic scraps and yard waste without buying a manufactured bin or building a frame from wood and wire. Its open front makes the pile accessible for routine tasks, while the blocks can be rearranged or used to add another enclosure if more capacity is needed. The report presents those features as practical advantages, rather than evidence that this layout will compost faster or last a specific number of years.
Airflow matters because composting depends on biological activity, and the report says aerobic bacteria need oxygen. But the instructions do not establish a guaranteed decomposition rate. Results can vary with the compost materials, moisture, pile size and how the pile is managed. Readers should treat the block layout as a containment option, not a substitute for monitoring the compost itself.
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How the Block Layout Works
Backyard composters use varied materials to make enclosures, including pallets, cardboard and plastic containers, according to Hunker. The report frames concrete blocks as an alternative for people seeking a sturdier structure that is simpler to assemble than a wood-and-wire build. It describes a dry-stacked arrangement, so mortar is not part of the proposed setup.
The suggested quantity—about 30 to 35 blocks for one enclosure—is an estimate, not a fixed requirement. The report says wall dimensions depend on the desired size and that additional sections can be added. A video by Jim Bob’s Garden is cited as an example of blocks set with their hollow sides perpendicular to the ground; the report advises leaving space between them in that arrangement to preserve airflow.
Costs, Stability and Compost Results
The source does not provide independent testing of the bin’s stability, lifespan or composting performance, and it does not give dimensions for the finished enclosure. It also does not specify whether the layout suits every yard, soil condition or local rule. Because the blocks are stacked without mortar, the suitability of the structure may depend on its placement, ground conditions and how high or wide it is built.
The reported price example may no longer reflect current store pricing, and availability of salvaged blocks will vary by location. The source also does not quantify how much airflow the gaps create or compare decomposition times with other bin designs. Those outcomes should not be assumed from the construction description alone.
Check Materials and Site Conditions
Anyone considering the design can first measure the planned footprint and decide how much capacity is needed, then price the required blocks locally. Used blocks should be checked for condition, and the enclosure should be placed on a suitable, stable area with enough room to reach the open front and manage the pile. The report offers a basic arrangement, but it does not replace local guidance on yard placement or other requirements.
After construction, gardeners can add compostable material and monitor moisture, airflow and temperature as they maintain the pile. Whether the block enclosure meets a particular gardener’s needs will depend on those observations, the site and the availability and cost of blocks. Hunker’s instructions do not set a completion date or report a follow-up test of the design.
Key Questions
How many concrete blocks does the suggested enclosure use?
Hunker estimates about 30 to 35 blocks for one enclosure. The number can change with the desired dimensions and wall layout.
Does the design require mortar?
No. The report describes blocks stacked without mortar. It recommends staggering the blocks for added stability, but does not provide an engineering assessment of the finished structure.
Why leave the front open?
The open front lets a gardener add material, turn the compost and check its temperature, according to the report.
Where can gardeners find blocks?
The report suggests local online listings, construction sites, junk haulers and Habitat ReStore outlets, as well as buying new blocks. Availability and prices depend on location and timing.
Will concrete blocks make compost faster?
The report says airflow supports aerobic bacteria, but it provides no measured comparison of composting speed. Results also depend on the pile’s contents, moisture and maintenance.
Source: rss
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