Compost Tumblers, Garden Backyard Composters, Barrels and Bins
Gardeners know that their garden soil needs to be replenished on a regular
basis. They also know that compost is the best way to enrich their garden
soil. So, it's only natural, that gardeners will make their own compost,
right in their own backyard.
Some gardeners will just create a compost heap, piling up yard waste and
kitchen waste (vegetable matter only). It's a great way to make compost.
While reaping a wealthy, rich soil, a compost pile also has its downside.
It can be unsightly and messy. It also can harbor unwanted pests.
More and more gardeners turn to attractive composters, which turns yard waste
into rich compost much faster than an untended compost pile. A compost maker
pays for itself with the valuable soil and compost tea(on some models) that
they produce.
To help you in deciding upon what style of composter is best for your needs,
we have listed below a description of the major types of backyard and garden
composters, and their benefits.
Compost Buckets
Almost any old bucket will do. A black, 5-gallon bucket works well, as it
absorbs a lot of heat. This extra heat, helps to speed the decomposition
process.
Compost buckets hold material in a neat and tidy manner. They are good
for making compost for small flower or vegetable gardens. The drawbacks are
small size (small for most gardeners), and it is to difficult to turn the
materials as they decompose.
We highly recommend a unit with a latch, or a lockable lid, to keep unwanted
pests out.
Manufacturers offer a wide variety of compost buckets, at a reasonably
inexpensive price.
Compost Barrels or Compost Tumblers
Compost Barrels, also called Compost Tumblers, are the most popular style
of compost makers on the market. They are designed to be attractive in your
backyard or garden. They hold an ample of compost, and converts yard waste
into usable compost quickly.
Compost barrels and tumblers are designed to roll or turn, which helps
to mix the compost, which speeds up decomposition.
The most popular models are black, dark green and blue. Black is popular
in northern climates, where the weather is not as warm. Black absorbs more
heat, to help speed up decomposition. If you live in the southern areas
of the U.S., and the composter is to be located in a sunny area, you
may find black is a little too hot in mid-summer months.
Envirocycle Composter / Compost Tea Maker - This is the most popular
composter on the market. It popularity arises from a combination of
attractiveness, price, ease of use, good barrel size, and it collects compost
tea, a valuable natural, organic fertilizer.
The round barrel turns easily atop it's base. Turning your composter mixes
and aerates the materials, to speed up decomposition. The base collects liquid
compost tea. Compost tea is mixed with water, for an excellent organic
fertilizer. Use it on both indoor and outdoor plants. This composter holds
7.0 cubic feet.
The Envirocycle Composter requires no assembly. Upon arrival at your home,
just place the base where you want the unit. Then, set the barrel atop of
the base, and you are ready for composting yard and kitchen waste.
More on the Envirocycle
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Compact Compost Tumbler - This compost maker is one of
the two most popular compost tumblers.
This Compact Compost Tumbler can make fast work of your kitchen waste, along
with your yard and garden organic materials. Compact Compost Tumbler quickly
recycles organic materials into nutrient-rich compost.
This compost tumbler produces a 9.5 bushels (approx. 11.8 cu.ft.) of compost
in as little as two weeks (ideal conditions).
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Sun Mar Composter - This unique composter produces a continuous
flow of finished compost. Your don't have to wait for an entire batch to
be complete.
Add material by sliding the input door open. Rotate the drum to mix and aerate
the compost. Finished compost is removed by opening the output port, rotating
the drum and allowing compost to fall from the inner drum into a bushel basket
or other container.
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Tumbleweed Composter- This tumbling style composter holds 8.0 cubic
feet of compost. The barrel sits on a stand, and turns easily. The tumbling
action mixes and aerates the material for faster composting.
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Compost Bins
Compost Bins are for simpler, more passive composting. The bins sit directly
on the ground. Bins usually do not have a bottom, and they do not turn or
move. Many gardeners will let the compost material sit and decompose by itself.
Some people will use a shovel or tool, to occasionally stir and turn the
material. Some gardeners will place a screen under the unit, to keep pests
from burrowing under the compost bin and into the material.
Because the compost material is not turned (as often) as a barrel type composter,
it takes longer to convert yard waste into rich, nutrient-laden soil.
Soil Saver - This is one of the more popular "bin" style composters.
Open the lid and add materials. As the material decomposes, the finished
product is on the bottom. A convenient door at the bottom of this unit is
opened to allow you to extract the finished compost. The Soil Saver
Compost Bin holds 11.4 cubic feet of raw materials.
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Covered Bridge Compost Bin with Lid- Here's a big sized bin for gardeners
who want to produce lots of compost. It holds 18 cubic feet of material.
The brick imprint on the unit, looks attractive anywhere in the yard. And,
it is reasonably priced.
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Shepherd Compost Bin - If you are looking for a large, very
long life compost bin, the Shepherd Compost Bin is for you. This bin is
manufactured from 12 gauge, corrosion resistant PVC coated welded wire. And,
it holds a big, big 30 cubic feet. A "chimney" is built in the middle of
the bin. This unique design allows more oxygen to the center of the pile,
for faster decomposition.
The manufacturer offers a limited 22 year warranty!
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Worm Farms
Australian Worm Farm - The worms in this worm farm will work
hard for you. They ingest plant matter, and "cast off" nutrient rich worm
castings. It takes a lot of worms to manufacture enough castings to meet
most gardeners needs. So, you pay a steep price for store-bought worm castings.
This worm farm will produce a constant supply for all of your gardens. It
also captures the liquid "worm casting tea", which you can use on indoor
and outdoor plants.
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More Information:
More
on Composting
The "How To's" of Worm Composting
What to Compost -discover what compost
materials to use, and what not to use.
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