Composting is a great way to make use of kitchen scraps and lawn debris. The homemade composite can not only rich your garden soils with essential nutrients but helps you grow organic food for you and your family without using synthetic fertilizers that have many health hazards. A composter is an easy and controlled way of making compost at home, and it gives result fast than leaving the heap of waste on ground to rot on its own.

 What is compost?

  Compost is called black gold because of its too many benefits. Decomposed organic material is used to enrich your garden’s soil with rich and much need nutrients. It is made from dry or green leaves, twigs, shrubs, pruned stems, wood, or even kitchen scrape that lay wasted in our bins waiting to be thrown in landfills.

 The Process of Making Compost

  Making compost is a time-taking process, and it requires four components.

• Organic matter

  Organic matter is the material that is used for composting. It consists of two types of material called brown and greens. Carbon-rich material is called brown which includes dry leaves, peels, dry stems or twigs, bits of wood, wood ash, peat moss, egg shells, conifer needles or even shredded brown papers. It gives compost its light and fluffy body. Another one is nitrogen-rich material that is called greens. It can have green leaves, lawn clippings, prunes, manures, or food scrap. It gives raw materials for making enzymes.  Good compost has a proportion of two-thirds brown material to the one-third green, having more brown than green.

• Moisture

Moisture is required for the composting process. It needs plenty of water for microbes to survive. The composting material should be damp and moist not wet or dripping.

• Oxygen

Oxygen is the need for supporting the decomposition of plants by microbes. These microorganisms need oxygen to thrive and to supply oxygen you need to keep turning the compost material for providing air to the inner layers of material.

• Micro-organisms

For these you don’t have to do anything, they are everywhere and do their job well. However, you can speed up the process of composting by adding some purchased microorganisms that specialize in decomposition.

• Heat

As microbes eat the compost material, they produce heat which is essential for making the compost. The temperature of the piled compost material should be warm for the decomposition process, and a big pile of material with enough moisture and air circulation will create heat.

Use of Composters for Making Compost

 Composters are designed to help you make compost more efficiently. Not only it keeps your debris well organized, and give a tidy look to your yard, but it also speeds up the composting process reducing it from years to months. Different size, types, and designs of composter are available in the market. Faster decomposition means you will have more compost for your garden and it is also environmental friendly.

 Things to Consider When Buying a Composter

Following things should be regarded well before you buy a composter.

Size of composter

 Size of composter depends on how much raw material you need to dump into it. If you have a little lawn in the backyard that you need to tend, then you don’t need a too big size of the composter. But if you have a large garden with too many dry leaves and other organic material then certainly a bigger size will be more suitable. However, too big size composters will be hard to move or maintain. You need to keep turning the material inside for circulation of air and a size too big may make it difficult for you.

Material of composter

Many types of materials are used for making composters. Commercial composters are usually dark colored recycled plastic which is ideal for absorbing heat from the sun and retain moisture inside. Wood composters are also good but they should be made of rot-resistant material, or your bin will gradually become compost too. Some bins require assembling with screws and bolts. Make sure they are easy to assemble and disassemble.

Shape of composter

The shape of composter depends on the style you are buying. A round shape will not have any corners were turning the material will be difficult. A round shape can also roll more easily. However, square bins look great and can fit in any corner or along sides of fences.

Aeration and drainage holes

 An ideal bin should have many holes for air ventilation and draining the excess of water. Oxygen is required by the microbes to thrive. Without air circulation, your material will decompose slowly, and it will be a more stinky and slimy mess than compost.

Wide opening

Large opening makes adding fresh material in the bin easy. Make sure your loaded shovel or pitchfork can enter the opening, or you will have to use hands to stuff material in the composter.

Secure Lid

If you have kids around, the secure lid can help to keep them away from the bin. The loose lid can also allow pets and kids to mess around with your compost.

Compost type

  You should also consider what material you are planning to compost whether you are planning to compost the lawn mowing, or the peels or organic material from your kitchen.

How much effort you can put into turning it

 The compost material needs to turn again and again for aeration. If you are using a heavy bin then turning the material with a shovel or lifting it with pitchfork can be difficult. A composter tumbler makes this process easy, and all you have to do is to push the handle.

Best Outdoor Composters

If you are looking for a composter, then this article can help you as we have shortlisted some of the best outdoor composters for your convenience. Take a look and choose one that suits you.

FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Tumbling Composter

Made with high quality recycled propylene, this composter is BPA free material and does not degrade in sunlight. The bin comes with two composter chambers that are better than one as you can finish one side while the other side is getting ready offering a continuous supply of nutrient-rich humus for your garden. The composter is designed with too many holes that ensure a steady flow of air inside which is essential for the composting. Wide opening and removable door makes adding new material and removing the finished compost easy. The best thing about this bin is that it is a tumbler. That means you don’t have to turn the material inside with a shovel or pitchfork. Just turn the tumbler after two-three days, and the compost is ready in as little time as two weeks.

Pros

1. Easy tumbling.
2. Too many holes for aeration.
3. Durable material.
4. Wide opening and removable lid.

Cons

1. Pricey.

Features

• 8 sided dual chamber
• 37 gallons (5 cu ft)
• Excellent Aeration

Envirocycle The Cutest Composter in The World

This tank-like composter is solid and made with BPA free material. The bin is easy to use and does not require any assembling. It makes tumbling easy as the drum rolls on the base and makes both solid and liquid compost. Its compact and elegant design makes it fits in your outdoor setting and enhances its beauty.

Pros

• Solid like a tank.
• Wide opening.
• Large capacity.
• Tumbles easily.

Cons

• Too big if you have a small gardening area.

Features

• antioxidant protected materials
• 17 US Gallons
• Produces solid and liquid compost

Miracle Gro Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler 

This tumbler comes with two champers you can fill one while another one is getting ready. The composter allows fresh air inside with its too many slits and holes. Turning it is a breeze no more heavy lifting is required. Its durable material does not degrade under sunlight, and its stands are rust free. NO doubt, the tumbler makes composting easy and fast.

Pros         

• Solid and durable.
• Have two chambers.
• Sufficient holes for aeration.
• Comes with a gift of free gardening gloves
• Turning each chamber is easy.

Cons

• The opening is bit narrow.

Features

• 2 compartment
• 2 X 18.5gal/70L
• 2 Sliding Doors