A rotating compost bin is a commercial version of a low tech compost pile. The design of this item is all important.
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Most of the heavy lifting in the process happens for free because of mother nature. However, the design of the composter determines a lot of details and all those details add up, determining how long the process takes and
convenience among many other smaller, seemingly unimportant things.
The time a composter takes to turn wastes into compost is significant because a composter that takes too long leads to throwing away otherwise compostable wastes. Where are you going to put all those wastes that would otherwise go into a composter?
Good compost is a very real asset in a down economy. It ensures you and your family will eat. A good composter will provide plenty of compost (soil amendment or solid fertilizer) and compost tea (liquid fertilizer).
These composters will tumble or turn your compost. This can be accomplished with an electric motor or a simple crank one turns by hand.
The electric models are usually more involved, but have many more features. These extra features, while adding convenience, are yet another link in the chain that could break so proper upkeep is most important.
Using a composter as a simple mixer is an option. Some mixing options include ordinary garden compost, sand, leaf mold, peat or loam.
Feedstock for a composter can be dead flowers, kitchen waste, twigs and leaves or grass clippings. The smaller the pieces of feedstock are, the quicker the process can happen. Tumbling the compost helps in this department. Not only does tumbling provide air needed for the process, it helps to smash up the feedstock into smaller pieces.
To keep it from gathering odors or worse, flies, the kitchen or household compost collecting bin must be emptied periodically, preferably every day. Worm based composters generally are not suitable for a balcony because the odor generated.
Getting fresh air into the mix of compost is important. A good composter does this well. Temperature rise is also important. A properly operating compost process will get very hot by the action of decomposition, about 150 degrees or so.
A few more design details allow the compost process to be cleaner for the user. Another detail is an overall non smelliness of the process. If the composter has a compact design, it can be placed easily into a garage, basement, garden or apartment balcony.
Casters are important. These allow moving the unit to a different location if needed. Remember to plan for unforeseen situations.
Here’s a video from Worm Farmer George:
Design determines whether or not the composting process happens under less than ideal temperatures. Composting happens best when it is summer outside. But, yes, winter composting is possible. It can happen under a wide range of temperatures. One hardy gardener reports that compost can be made with the right unit down to -7 degrees. In
really cold weather, you might consider putting the composter in the basement or garage.
A locking or otherwise secure lid will ensure that the local wildlife do not try to knock over your composter. It is, after all, controlled rotting garbage in a controlled environment. That could surely attract the attention of the local critters if not done in a controlled manner.
An air tight composter is important for the process to not dry out and run short of the water needed for the process. An air tight seal will also help to not attract critters in the first place.
Urban Compost Tumbler Review:
Overall and ideally, a composter takes into account all the things, large and small, that will slip your notice and incorporates them into a single unit. That single unit will simplify the process of turning waste into something that feeds new energy into your garden.
Commercial units really do clean up the process.
After several batches, the more fibrous, harder to break down ingredients will still be in your composter. This is an open invitation for more green wastes and wetter stuff.
The finished product can be used for house plants, shrubs, trees, flowers, a food garden or lawn. Just about anywhere plants are growing.
The Compost Wizard:
With the correct unit and methods, you can have finished compost in a few weeks.
Using a composter is good for society as well. There will be less waste going into the landfills. This fact helps municipal budgets go further.
Learning how to compost correctly is one of the most beneficial talents you can do for you and your family.
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