A functional compost garden is one of most exciting places because you might not be aware of the type of compost developing inside a pile of weeds or perhaps leaves.
Perhaps you have gained interest in the home composting and you would like to give it a try. Or maybe you gave it a try and became frustrated when things did not work your way. Are you ready to give it one more chance?
This article will explain more detailed information on the best compost for garden. Tumbler composter is one of the best composters that can be used to make compost at home. The basic reason why most gardeners develop compost is to get rid of garbage that has piled up in their kitchen or garden but generally the best compost for garden comes with many benefits including adding value to your soil and improving the standard of your garden.
The aim of each gardener is to ensure that soil value increases and makes the roots more stable, healthy and with sufficient mineral particles. Soil texture is determined by the size of the used mineral particles.
You can save a lot of money by simply making compost at your home. A lot of organic matter in the soil may slow down the drainage process and increase the retention level of the moisture available.
Increasing the level of organic matter used in the compost improves the ability of the soil to retain moisture and this is a major benefit to the plants that have shallow fibrous roots. The best compost for garden is one of the most interesting places anyone can have in their compound. There are three main types of composts and these are; Continuous composters, Indoor composters and batch composters.
Continuous composters can handle a larger variety of materials that can be collected from the kitchen. The reason why they are named continuous is because the farmer can add compost material all the time. Compost is then generated on a slow mode. The generated compost then gets filtered to the bottom of the compost bin. Rodents are kept away since the bin is sealed.
Batch composters on the other hand, are developed in form of batches which are made by a mixture of ingredients. This type of composter is the fastest way to make compost but the gardener needs to regularly check on it and ensure enough moisture. The last type of composters which is an indoor composter is made by kitchen waste that is put into the composter. It’s usually done for small scale purposes and suits people who want to make compost collected from kitchen waste.
Compost is rich in nutrients and makes the soil to be more productive by adding microbes which helps the plants to grow faster. Compost basically is made of decayed organic matter. It’s a process that is made by recycling any organic matter such as vegetables, leaves and other waste matter.
Contents
Benefits of compost
- Compost increases the level of organic matter of the soil. This helps to improve soil drainage, texture and ability to support the roots of plants.
- Compost helps the plants to resist pests and any likely diseases that may be available in the farm. This helps them to survive extreme weather patterns. Plants as well will respond faster and more effectively whenever they are faced with adverse weather conditions.
- Compost helps to build food web by supplying the necessary nutrients, needed moisture and development of other helpful life forms.
- Compost aids in plant growth by enriching the soil that comprises of fungi, bacteria and other organic matter. Most of the fungi get attached to the plant roots hence making it easy for vegetation to get enriched more easily. According to research conducted by experts, composts can be used to improve nutrition levels in vegetables and add flavor.
- It also helps the plants to stand up against any possible diseases. It also helps the soil to constantly retain its level of moisture.
Top 5 Best Compost Tumblers
1. FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Tumbling Composter, 37 gallon, Black
It has double compartments. Buyers’ should be aware of imitations. The tumbler makes mixing to be much easier for you. It’s easy to use and is highly recommended to beginners. The bigger opening and removable doors allows you to add and remove compost once it’s complete. The composter has the best aeration and so, enough oxygen is allowed inside the compost. The device is durable due to its strong and resistant materials to make it. It’s safe for use and does not degrade even if it’s exposed to the sun for long.
Pros
- Has two chambers
- It’s easy to use. A single spin mixes your entire compost.
- The size is good.
- It rotates easily and makes it possible to mix the content
- It’s durable due to its design.
- It’s easy to assemble. I do recommend it to the beginners.
Cons
- Tedious as a result of many screws.
- It has a lot of air holes and this may allow rain in.
- The sliding door, sometimes fails to work in winter.
2. Envirocycle the Beautiful Composter in the USA
This type of composter has been approved by the food safety authority of USA. It’s durable and does not rust easily. The tumbler can resist high temperatures that result from the sun. This tumbler can be used to produce both solid and liquid compost at any given time.
Pros
- It`s easy to use and so beginners can purchase it.
- It produces both liquid and solid compost.
- The composter is considered the most beautiful in the world.
- It`s solid ,just like a tank
- It has been approved by the government.
- The device is easy to assemble.
Cons
- It`s only meant for indoors and so cannot be put outside the farm.
- It`s impossible to turn the composter when its half full.
3. Rotary Garden Tumbler Composter-Easy to Turn Tumbler
This kind of tumbler is also durable due to the black materials used to develop it. It has been created with double compartments which increases the space for composting and is in a position of producing about 37gallons once. The device can be assembled easily and has ventilation points which enable the user to adjust easily. The tumbler has a strong stand which enables you to place it on any surface.
Pros
- Very easy to turn the barrel and so faster process.
- Have two slides which make it more convenient.
- The device is easy to assemble.
- It`s suitable for urban and rural areas due to its efficiency.
Cons
- The openings are very small and so a real challenge when adding scraps.
- The product holds water and may be a setback to you.
- It`s a bit little but works as mentioned.
4. Miracle-Gro (Dual chamber compost)
This kind of tumbler has double compartments hence providing larger spaces for the compost. Each compartment has a sliding door which makes it easy to open and close. It also makes it easy to turn the compost and to mix it accurately. The outer layer has been embedded with stainless steel which helps in maintenance of temperatures and hence facilitates the decomposition process. The composter is also equipped with gloves which are in protecting the hands when mixing the content in the compost.
Pros
- It’s durable. The composter can withstand all the harsh weather conditions.
- It’s compact and can fit anywhere including the balcony.
- It enhances plant growth by regularly supplying nutrients.
- It comes with gloves. This is water resistant and keeps the gardener on a safe position.
- It can spin easily.
- Easy to assemble.
Cons
- The device may leak at some point.
- Screws at times come out if they go unchecked.
5. Ejwox Composting Tumbler
This is another type of tumbler composter which can help the gardener to make compost at different times due to its installed double compartments. The composter has sliding doors which makes it easy to open and close.
Pros
- Has dual compatibility which allows for continuous composting.
- Has an enhanced aeration system. This ensures continuous air flow from time to time.
- Easy to assemble.
- It’s durable due to its strong materials.
- It has a well-designed tumbler which makes it easy to mix the compost.
Cons
- Installation takes long.
6. Other Products
Jora Composter Tumbler JK270 -This kind of tumbler is insulated on both sides to avoid contact with sunlight. The tumbler can be used to make compost from the kitchen. The device can be fixed easily on the wall due to made-in rackets and can produce up to 70 gallons of compost. The user can easily turn compost easily and quickly.
Joraform compost tumbler JK 125 – This type of tumbler is recommended for beginners. It is easy to use and has well developed compartments. It has been insulated to regulate the high temperatures. It has also been designed with higher stands and hence keeps the rodents away.
How to make a compost heap at home
Individuals can buy compost or go for homemade compost. Usually, plants are an essential element in any compost. Compost varies depending on the type of materials that have been used to make it. There is no list of materials that individuals can use to make compost but rather waste materials such as kitchen trash, decayed plants, leaves, grass collected from the farm.
Compost bin is a structure that has been made using wood, sheet metal, concrete blocks, plastic or any other material which is durable. A compost bin may be enclosed on all sides or rather is open at the bottom/top. Compost bins can be purchased commercially or homemade. Whether you build your own or purchase it, it all depends with you. Once you have created your compost, you can test to see the temperature and its resistance.
This can be done by heating some compost inside the bucket by placing a thermometer and observing keenly to see if it changes its temperature. This can be done for a period of two to three days then record the changes if they are there. Complete compost does not generate any form of heat when heated and the smell is earthy. Compost that is stable can be used as mulch and gives one delight on compost gardening.
The following steps can be followed when making one at home:
- Buy a compost bin that is well set.
Usually compost bins are well developed for this function and they can be used for small scale purposes.
- Identify the best location for your bin
At this point you need to identify the best site where you are going to set up your bin. The site should be well drained to avoid logging and ensure that any water that’s in excess will be drained easily. It also facilitates the entry of worms to the facility.
- Ensure that you have entered the right materials into the compost bin
This will ensure that you get the right products at the end. Some of the best materials that can be used to make a quality compost include; vegetable waste, tea bags, grass, fruit waste, leaves and much more. The compost may also include other materials such as egg boxes, papers, cardboards and much more. These materials take time to rot but they are the best in development of carbon and fiber.
- Allow the earthworms to do their task
At this point allow worms to convert the waste material inside the compost. They help to make more compost over a particular period of time.
- Expecting the best from your compost
Once your compost is ready, cover your bin with a black soil layer. It should be richer in nutrients and this will improve the quality of the manure. It also minimizes the cost of pesticides and fertilizers.
What to consider when choosing a tumbler composter:
- Size
Individuals must choose the right size depending on whether they are planning to operate on large scale or small scale. If your focus is on high yield crops, you should consider buying a tumbler with two compartments which will help you find enough spaces while preparing your compost. The farmer should also check on the number of gallons as this shall determine the outcome of your compost.
- Type of materials
Usually, compost is placed outside and so this calls for better long lasting materials to be used. All compartments must be insulated to ensure that constant temperatures are available for faster decomposition.
FAQs
When making my compost, is it necessary to use a bin?
The method you use for composition will determine if you are going to use a bin or not. The quantity of material such as vegetable scraps, kitchen waste and egg shells will also be the key determinant. Usually a simple bin can be made using a chicken wire or stakes.
What should be put inside my compost?
The best thing to do is to vary the kind of materials that shall be placed on your compost bin. There is no major recipe to be placed in your bin but rather a mixture of waste matter. However, there are two main categories of materials to be placed and these include; green materials and brown ones.
The green materials contain nitrogen content such as from green plants whereas the brown ones contain carbon content like brown leaves which are dry among others. Too much of the green matter in your compost, will cause your heap to be smelly. Whereas adding too much of the brown matter will make the compost to remain stagnant and that means decomposition will be slow.
Can I use weeds for my compost?
You should be careful on the kind of materials you choose to put into your compost. You should avoid using weeds that have seeds on them. Before, placing them on the compost, pull out all the seeds from the weeds.
How regular should I turn the heap in my compost?
The frequency of how you turn the pile on your compost is determined by type of materials used and the speed at which materials are decomposed. In most cases, you should leave the pile to turn automatically.
Can compost be used later on as mulch on my farm?
Yes, absolutely correct. If you intend to use your compost as mulch once you are done, you should separate leaves in a different pile right at the compost. This is recommended as they will make the best mulch when it rots partially. Usually, compost once it’s complete, has a texture of the soil compared to mulch. Leaves can be cut so as to facilitate the process. Once you have done that, sure that you pour in a few ounces of water to moisten it the heap.
Can compost destroy plants?
Most of the people ask this question. Compost is the best companion for plants and for that case, it helps to increase soil structure, increase the content of organic matter and helps in the release of soil nutrients for growth. Compost that has not decomposed well may harm plants by causing chemical burns. When planting seeds from the seed bed, it’s recommended not to use compost as this may harm your plants.
Is it necessary to use fertilizer once you have used compost?
The nutrient requirement for your plants is the key determinant here. Compost does not always provide nutrients for your plants but it takes place through smaller doses throughout the planting season. If your plants need certain elements which are unavailable in your compost, you may have to use fertilizers to realize that purpose. The best thing to do however is to get your soil tested then come up with a decision on the supplements you need.
Who owns compost?
Depending on where you live, anyone can own compost in their garden. You may as well purchase bulk compost sold by the municipal compost projects, nearby gardens or create it at your own home. Compost that has been purchased may be of higher qualities and give you more produce.
Can compost make one sick?
Compost mostly derives its life from the existing fungi, bacteria and other existing matter. However, you should not try to eat. All the vegetables collected from the farm should be washed thoroughly before consumption. There are other potential health risks that may result from exposure to compost. For instance, pneumonia may be caused by fungi and bacteria in the compost. More severe cases can be caused by exposure to the spores.
Other diseases which may be caused by this include paronychia which is a severe infection that hits the gardener on the edges of the fingernail. This develops when bacteria comes into contact with the skin openings. Exposure to moisture for a longer period of time increases the rate of transmission. There are other infectious diseases, such as histoplasmosis, tetanus and legionnaire`s disease which are respiratory infections.
How does one observe compost timing and transition?
The period at which compost is ready for use and when to turn the pile, usually depends on the type of materials used to make that compost. It depends with the materials, size of the particles used, moisture and supply of air the compost used during the entire process of composting. Practically, whenever earthworms appear in a heap or compost bin, it is an indication that compost is developing from the stable phase into its final stage.
If you use nitrogen content a period of six weeks is enough to cure whereas, animal manure may need an approximate of twelve weeks to compost. If the compost is left to cure alone, the final product will be of higher quality compared to when one interferes with the process. After working tirelessly to produce your compost and everything has cured, you can store up your compost for future use.
Basic rules for compost gardening
- Choose the best location. Your compost should not be far away from your home. Look for a shady spot near your garden and make it your preferred location to create your home compost.
- Use whatever materials you have. Make your compost with the available materials first then later on import whatever you feel might be of importance in the value of your compost. Instead of longing for materials that you have heard that they make a great compost, simply begin with what`s available in your yard. Most of our gardens produce a lot of leaves, withered plants, grass and of course kitchen waste.
- Allow the natural process to take place by decomposition. There are various organisms that facilitate decomposition such as earthworms, fungi, bacteria and other organisms. Most of these, feed on the compost and process the organic matter for purposes of soil nourishment. Farmers may as well turn the compost piles to create them by turning them from time to time.
- Items from the recycling bin can be re-used in your composting project. Once you have completed your first project, take the finished compost and store using bulk containers such as gallon buckets and jugs.
- The whole process inside the composter is what does the magic. Leaves which have been decomposed become the mold whereas on the other side rotted manure is developed. Both are of great importance only if and when microorganisms are allowed to facilitate the process in the compost. Each of the waste materials you decide to use in your compost will have at least different levels of microorganisms. It is through this diversity that compost becomes well set for easy decomposition.
- Make compost that well fits your garden. Every plant you choose to grow in your farm should be treated as an important component in your compost. Usually, plants used in your compost are used as the basic materials for your compost.
Conclusion
Farmers are advised to increase their farm yield by purchasing any of the tumblers highlighted above. The size of the tumbler is determined by your plans to do small scale or large scale compost in your garden. Some of the tumblers have a double compartment that makes it easy for the user to make higher composts qualities and this also allows one to make more than one heap of compost at different times.
Before purchasing any tumbler, make sure that the device you have chosen has been tested and approved for use. The basic rules highlighted above are important and will help you create a nice composter easily at home. The gardener should allow natural decomposition to take place first and from there everything else works just well. If you are purchasing these products from amazon ensure that you follow the guideline provided and you will get yourself the best tumbler which will suit your compost project.
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