Welcome to Lawn and Garden Magic
Backyard Composter Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Getting to Know Your Composting Equipment
from: Lawn and Garden MagicThe equipment you use for composting makes a big difference in building your compost. If you're really determined to make the most of your composting goals, being familiar with the tools will help you achieve success. The tools won't necessarily be objects, because there are also elements of place and space that need to be considered when it comes to obtaining the optimum performance of your compost.
A Good Composting Site
The site for your composting activity is your main consideration and one of the best tools to master before you do any composting. The area must be free from obstructions and have the right temperature needed for composting. In addition, you must be thoroughly familiar with the site you've chosen for composting and you must be able to access the site frequently since composting requires a lot of monitoring.
Compost Bin
Your compost bin must serve the functions of the type of composting you're doing. If you're doing industrial level composting, you may need more than one compost bin to satisfy your objective. This compost bin must be cleaned regularly, and must be the right size, depending on the amount of materials you're putting into it.
Be sure you can manage the compost bin you choose. For beginners, it's recommended to start small and branch out once you get the hang of it or, at least, get comfortable with what you're working on.
Thermometer
Composting requires you to maintain a specific temperature. Thus a thermometer will come in handy as you do your daily rounds of inspection of your compost pit. You need to make sure the thermometer is properly calibrated as well. Some stores sell thermometers that are tailored to the needs of compost owners, so check these out. The specifically tailored thermometers may prove to have some advantage for you.
Garden Fork
A garden fork has a great variety of uses. When composting, it really helps you mix your materials, especially if you're dealing with a large composting pit or bin. A garden fork helps rake in the materials, mix them and test the texture and softness of your compost mix. For a garden rake, you must choose one that's optimum for the size of your composting operations and with a complete manual and warranty so as to maximize its usage.
Other Containers
You only need one compost bin, but if you like to combine and categorize your materials, you may want additional containers to help you manage your compost materials. In areas where you need to monitor your carbon and nitrogen ratio components in the mix, you'll have to make sure you're adding the right type of materials to maintain the right temperature, mix and ratio needed.
Room for Growth
The space requirements for composting involves having additional room for growth should you decide to pursue higher levels of composting. Your area must be spacious enough to accommodate your present composting needs, but also allow you to expand if you ever decide to increase the capacity of your compost pit.
Backyard Composter News
Rain barrel/composter sale is April 10 - Joplin Independent
Rain barrel/composter sale is April 10 Joplin Independent Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists will be on hand to explain backyard composting and rain water harvesting. The sale is open to everyone regardless of ... |
First 100% Compostable Chip Bags to Hit Shelves Soon - Inhabitat (blog)
 Inhabitat (blog) | First 100% Compostable Chip Bags to Hit Shelves Soon Inhabitat (blog) The corn-based polymer chip bags are set to hit store shelves soon and can be expected to biodegrade in a backyard compost pile within 14 weeks. ... |
SHOESTRING LIVING: Get gardening and save - Pittsburg Morning Sun
SHOESTRING LIVING: Get gardening and save Pittsburg Morning Sun This summer, I'm planning to recycle an old garbage can into a homemade composter and expect an even better harvest. Find an organic gardening book at the ... |
Add food waste to lawn cuts - Richmond News
 Richmond News | Add food waste to lawn cuts Richmond News "We can take a lot of stuff that you can't take in your backyard composter," Bycraft said. Most people who compost do not put meat, fish or bones in their ... |
Ratproofing the composter by a frugal Portland gardener who doesn't give up - OregonLive.com (blog)
 OregonLive.com (blog) | Ratproofing the composter by a frugal Portland gardener who doesn't give up OregonLive.com (blog) I didn't want to buy a new composter. I wanted to fix the one I had. Already, I'd spent $118 for Alpha Ecological to place three bait boxes in my backyard ... |
Point, click for waste help - Tri-City News
Point, click for waste help Tri-City News ... most efficient to address waste as close to the source as possible; visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/composting for information about backyard composters. ... |