More Compost Tumbler Info
Six Good Reasons For Composting With A Tumbling Composter
Author:
Shelley A Cox
Composting is simply the act of harnessing Mother\’s Nature\’s own method of recycling! All organic material, be it dead plant or animal matter, rots or decomposes over time and it creates nitrogen rich fertiliser to promote new growth. It really is that simple. The process is driven by oxygen, which allows the bacteria and other organisms to break down the material, thereby creating a wonderful and entirely natural source of nutrients for the soil. By composting you are doing this with your own organic waste materials and creating great garden fertiliser and mulch at no cost.
All that you need is somewhere to dump your organic waste and leave it to rot. For many people, this is simply a compost heap in the corner of the garden, but for others this is not a practical solution. The answer is a compost tumbler. Here are six good reasons to use a tumbling composter:-
1 Approximately one third of all household waste is organic material, that is waste food, and could be composted. Whether or not you believe in recylcing in principle, it is immediately obvious that if all of this waste was composted then it would dramatically reduce the amount of refuse going to landfill and that has to be a good thing for the environment. Even if you do not have room for a conventional compost heap, you may have room for a compost tumbler and this will enable you to join the composting revolution!
2 A conventional compost heap needs to sit on bare earth and many of us do not have room for that. A tumbling composter, however, is mounted on a frame and sits off the ground so that it is free to tumble around. Accordingly, it is perfect for those of us with courtyards or even small gardens. There really is no excuse these days for not composting!
3 Using a compost tumbler is a much quicker way of making great compost for your garden. The process of rotting down requires oxygen to drive it and with a conventional compost heap only the top of the heap is exposed to the air. By using a tumbling composter and tumbling your compost whenever you can, you are ensuring that the whole lot is open to the air and, as a result, it rots down much quicker.
4 Think of the money you will save too! If you are a keen gardener or even if you just have a few pots in a small courtyard or garden, using a compost tumbler will provide you with an entirely free supply of top quality fertiliser. No more trips to the garden centre and paying £3.99 for a bag of compost for you. Not only if that but if you find that you too much you may be able to sell some to neighbours and friends.
5 Compost heaps can very often become a nice warm home for rodents in your garden. Clearly, this can become a problem if not attended to. However, a compost tumbler is entirely free of this problem, which may be a signifciant advantage for the more squeamsih among you!
6 A compost tumbler is also mobile so that you can move it around the garden or even take it with you if you move house. And you certainly cannot do that with a compost heap.
Using a kitchen compost bin will also enable you to compost more of your food waste because on those dark and cold winter nights when it is raining hard you will not want to make the trip down the garden to your compost tumbler. So, just pop the rubbish into your kitchen compost bin and then take it out to your tumbler later. Simple!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/six-good-reasons-for-composting-with-a-tumbling-composter-3376318.html
About the Author
Shelley Cox
The great news is that if you shop online for Compost Tumblers or for Kitchen Compost Bins you can find unbeatable deals at great prices!
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A How-To On Composting
There are literally hundreds of how to articles and books on compost, here is one that looks like it covers all the bases.
Enjoy!
Practical Compost Making
Author: Katie Collins
Whether you are an ordinary gardener, or an organic gardener which doesn’t use of any sort of chemical additive for fertilization or pest control, a quality compost becomes one of the most important factors in determining the ultimate success of your garden. Compost is one of nature’s best mulches and soil amendments. With a good quality compost there is no need to use any sort of commercial fertilizer, and one of the best features of compost is that it can literally be made without spending a dime.
What Exactly Is Compost
Compost is the remnants of any organic material that has been aerobically decomposed. Compost is often also called humus. In earth science “humus” is defined as any organic matter which has reached a point of stability, where it will break down no further and can remain essentially as it is for centuries, or even millennia. So both words, for practical gardening purposes, basically mean the same thing; the end product of decomposed organic matter. It is also important to note that this decomposition is a result of a aerobic process as opposed to an anaerobic process. For example, vegetables placed in an airtight plastic bag will still decompose but will do so in an anaerobic manner since there is limited oxygen available. Anaerobic decomposition is what produces the foul odor that most of us are quite aware of.
The Compost Decomposition Process
The decomposition of organic matter is actually a process of repeated digestions as organic matter repeatedly passes through the intestinal tracts of soil animals or is attacked by the digestive enzymes secreted by microorganisms. Compost is the end product of this complex feeding pattern involving hundreds of different microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, worms, and insects. In reality composting simply replicates nature’s natural system of breaking down materials on the forest floor. But fortunately for us, the organic gardener, this process results in a product that significantly improves soil fertility and helps keep the soil in a healthy balanced condition where nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus will be produced naturally.
Compost Ingredients
Although almost any organic material can be used for compost pile, caution should be used when backyard composting as most backyard systems will not reach high enough temperatures to kill pathogens or deter vermin. So generally pet feces, non vegetarian animal manure, meat scraps, and dairy products should not be used unless you can be sure that an adequate temperatures will be reached.
To ensure proper composting your compost pile needs the right mixture of carbon rich “brown matter” and nitrogen rich “green matter”. Brown matter can consist of such items as dried leaves, straw, sawdust, wood chips, and even non-inked paper and cardboard. Green matter can include green plant material such as grass clippings, fresh cut hay, weeds, animal manures, fruit and vegetable table scraps, seaweed’s, and coffee grounds.
The Composting Process
This speed by which the composting process will occur will depend to a large extent on amount of effort you desire to put into creating the compost. Passive composting obviously takes the least amount of effort on your part. You simply mix the materials together in a freestanding pile and allow them to sit and rot on their own. This process may take a year or two but eventually you’ll have compost.
However, by actively managing your compost pile, you can often get finished compost in as little as one month. You can actively decrease the amount of time it takes to create compost if you’re willing to take the time to chop up your materials since shredded organic materials can heat up more rapidly and decompose quickly.
Heat is an important factor in effective composting. Hot composting allows aerobic bacteria to thrive. The ideal condition is for pasteurization to occur in a hot compost. Pasteurization will occur when the temperature reaches 55° Celsius (131°F) or more for three or more days. This will kill most pathogens and seeds. Pasteurized compost is valuable to the home gardener since the pasteurization process is otherwise both expensive and complicated, and adding chemicals to produce pasteurization is not an acceptable alternative for organic gardening.
Compost Tumblers
For many gardeners, space is often an issue, and even you have adequate space in your backyard you may not want to have a large unsightly compost heap. Compost tumblers offer a reasonable and effective alternative to the compost pile. And while the claims of some compost tumblers to produce compost in as little as 13 days may be slightly exaggerated, they do offer several benefits over the standard compost heap and they actually can accelerate the decomposition process because of their convenience.
There are a number of benefits of compost tumblers. First, they are generally easy to use and come in a number of sizes and styles that make the turning of your compost piles much easier. Second, because they are fully enclosed they are pest proof from such common pests as squirrels, raccoons, rats and dogs. Also, because tumblers are in a closed environment it’s much easier to retain moisture so your compost doesn’t dry out. Also in wet weather it won’t get too soggy. The enclosed environment also keeps unpleasant orders inside the compost tumbler (however if you’re keeping your compost properly aerated by proper turning there should not be any unpleasant odors).
Whether you garden by more modern means, or are a strict organic gardener, one thing is certain; healthy plants come from a healthy and nutritious soil. By making your own compost (a.k.a. gardeners black gold), not only are you being environmentally friendly and very economical, you’re producing your own natural black gold for your vegetables, herbs and flowers and providing healthy, safe, and great tasting food for your loved ones.
About the Author:
Katie Collins is a gardener, mother and writer.
For more great articles and advice on gardening please visit our websites at
Great Vegetable Gardens and
Better Organic Gardens
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Practical Compost Making
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Tumbler Composter – For A Vegetable Bumper Crop
Author:
Steve Robison
A tumbler composter is the fastest and easiest method for creating your own compost. Compost that will make your flower beds and garden the talk of the neighborhood.
If you make your own compost, without a tumbler composter, chances are, you are working a lot harder than you need to. And, it\’s probably taking you a much longer time to make your compost than it should.
As a gardner, you have a golden opportunity to convert something of little value into something of great value. With very little effort, you can make your own gardner\’s gold (compost) from kitchen scraps and yard debris…commonly known as compost.
If you\’ve never treated your plants to compost, you\’ve missed out on a true miracle.
What is compost?
Not to be mistaken for fertilizer, compost is a very beneficial soil conditioner. Compost contains very little nutrient value, however compost improves a plant\’s ability to absorb nutrients from the soil.
Where does compost come from?
Compost is the end product of the natural decomposition of organic matter. You see that natural process first hand when you walk on a soft forest floor. While decomposition is a normal process in nature, composting accellerates the process.
Decomposed organic matter is an extremely valuable soil amendment. Organic matter is very beneficial for plants and soil. It streamlines the microbial decomposition of soil, attracts beneficial earthworms, suspends plant nutrients in a state of slow release throughout the season, and suppresses many soil born diseaes.
Your garden and flower beds can never have too much compost.
Compost is available at your local garden store. However, making compost at home is a great exercise in environmental responsibilty.
By making your own compost, you reduce the amount of yard debris and kitchen waste that goes into our landfills. You can reduce that amount by as much as 75
In composting, you also experience genuine satisfaction by turning something of no apparent value (kitchen scraps and yard debris) into something that makes your garden and flowers, lush and beautiful.
How do you make your own compost?
To make compost you need four things:
1 – Browns (leaves, vegetable stalks, straw, peanut shells),
2 – Greens (grass clippings, food waste, garden waste, manures),
3 – good air flow, and
4 – the right amount of moisture.
Next, you\’ll need to bring these ingredients together in a pile, a bin, or a barrel.
Pile Composter Method
With the pile method, you simply pile your ingredients, say in the corner of your garden. Then it\’s necessary that you ‘turn’ your compost pile with a spading fork at least once a week. The pile method is typically the slowest method to produce finished compost. It can take from 3 to 12 months.
Bin Composter Method
With the bin method, you construct a bin out of something, like old pallets. Use a pallet also to create a floor in the bin. The floor will allow the pile to breath from the beneath.
Line the bin with chicken wire or other small mesh wire. The smallest optimum size for a bin is 3\’x3\’x3\’, the largest optimum size for a bin is 5\’x5\’x5\’.
The ingredients in a bin also need to be ‘turned’ at least weekly. The bin method usually creates compost in 3 to 6 months.
Tumbler Composter Method
The fastest (usually 14 to 21 days), and perhaps the easiest method for creating compost. In the tumble method, a barrell is used for mixing the ingredients.
Drilling holes in the barrell will provide proper aeration. If the barrell is not black, it\’s a good idea to paint the barrell black so it will gather as much heat as possible.
Then every few days, simply roll or tumble the barrell to mix the composting ingredients.
The barrell can be mounted on a frame work, making it very easy to tumble.
If you\’re a bit handy, you can build a tumbler composter of your own for very little, or no cost.
If do-it-yourself projects are not your cup of tea, tumbler composters can be purchased very economically.
In Conclusion
Composting is easy to do, it\’s environmentally responsible, and your garden and flower beds will flourish.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/tumbler-composter-for-a-vegetable-bumper-crop-4025209.html
About the Author
To discover more about composters that work best in the tumbler composter method, simply visit: Best Tumbler Composters
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Norpro 88 Bamboo Compost Keeper
Made of beautiful, natural bamboo, this compost pail is perfect for storing scraps of food right on your countertop until you’re ready to dump them in your garden. The lid contains two charcoal filters to keep odors from escaping. Attractive eco friendly sustainable bamboo looks good on kitchen countertops. Easily carries with sturdy handle.
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FILTER REPLACE COMPOST KEEPER
Compost filter refills for the lids of 93 and 93R, 2 pieces. 5 1/2″ in diameter.
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Norpro Compost Keeper Replacement Filters
These will replace your current filter to keep your kitchen compost odorless. Set of two.
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Exaco Trading ECO-2000 2.4 Gallon Kitchen Compost Waste Collector
Making your own compost starts in the kitchen by collecting all your organic waste and adding it to your outdoor composter. As much as 30% of household waste can be composted and should not be sent to a landfill. Composting is the answer and using the Kitchen Compost Collector is a most practical way to collect all of your organic waste. This kitchen waste collector is made from high density polyethylene and includes a carbon filter that significantly reduces any organic smells (more…)
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2-pc. Replacement Filter Set for Stainless Steel Compost Keeper
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Norpro 1 Gallon Stainless Steel Compost Keeper
Amazon.com
Conveniently store food scraps in this odor-eliminating container before transferring them to an outside composter. The unit works great for egg shells, peelings, coffee grounds, and more, while its stainless-steel handle ensures simple transport. In addition, the unit’s tight-fitting lid holds a charcoal filter for odor-free use for up to six months, plus offers a center knob for easy lid removal. The container fits under the sink, but with its durable stainless-stee (more…)
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Yard Butler CA-36 Compost Aerator
From the Manufacturer
Folding wings harpoon into the heart of the compost pile, opening when withdrawn. Aerates, circulates and turns the compost.
Folding wings harpoon into the heat of the compost pile, opening when withdrawn. Aerates, circulates and turns the compost. All steel construction and cushioned T handles. Lifetime guarantee.
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Wan’t Make Your Own Compost Tumbler?
Instructables has a boatload of info on several different model from tumblers to bins or recycled drums! Check them out!
Compost Tumbler – More DIY How To Projects
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