Hopefully once you read these facts and ideas you will begin to realize that few things are more natural and wonderful than nature’s own recycling program that we are able to participate in through backyard ‘composting’.

That black, crumbly, sweet smelling earth that is found naturally in woods and forests is the result of Mother Nature’s unique ‘circle of life’.

The decomposed remains of dead plants, bugs, grasses and berries are all transformed into life-giving hummus thanks to the combined efforts of air, water, insects and earthworms.

Compost should not have an odor if you follow the guidelines.

Anyone can compost that recyclable kitchen and home refuse even those who live in restricted surburban communities and small apartment buildings.

• We can take a page out of Mother Nature’s handbook and create finished compost from the refuse in our kitchens and yards.
• This composted material can then be used in gardens and flower beds to provide richly fertile soil that contains vitamins and nutrients that plants and vegetables need to thrive and blossom.
• Even your lawn can benefit from the addition of healthy compost.

Composting at home requires some nitrogen rich ‘greens’ such as veggies, fruits, grass clippings, green hay or green leaves.

The process also requires ‘brown’ elements that can include soil, dry leaves or paper.

You need a pail, bucket or covered container to collect the kitchen refuse that is designated for an outdoor compost bin.

The larger bin can be a high-tech tumbling barrel or just an area of the yard that you have chosen for this recycling effort.

Some people have even created usable compost in small box-type systems that are kept under their kitchen sinks.

In addition to enriching your garden soil this recycling effort will help you save money because you will not need to buy soil amendments and fertilizers once you begin composting in earnest.

In fact most people who use a system with multiple compost bins can produce enough finished compost that they can share some with their neighbors and friends.

While the practice of composting at home is nothing new the methods that are now in place make this recycling activity easier and more productive than ever before.

Now you can continue this centuries old practice even if you live in an apartment and only have a few plants on a terrace balcony.

Composting fundamentals are very basic and easy to understand. You just need some kitchen food scraps such as vegetable peelings or lettuce leaves for the ‘green’ elements; some wet paper, soil, dry leaves or straw for the ‘brown’ elements and a few wriggling ‘redworms’ or earthworms to get this natural decomposition process in gear.

• The compost bin can be as small as a hand-held container, or you might have the time and available yard space to support a multi-bin composting system.
• Some people prefer to use the tumbling compost bins that can be spun with the turn of a handle.
• As long as you can give the composting materials a regular turn, some air and some water you can depend upon nature to help with the rest of the work.

Maintenance of a well-designed compost pile should only require a few minutes of your time.

You need to check and see that the pile is undisturbed by any animals, turn the contents at least 1-2 times a week and add water as necessary to keep the pile of composting materials damp.

Making sure that there is adequate air circulation is another essential element.

Saving the environment, reducing the strain on our natural resources, conserving money and keeping recyclable materials out of the landfills are all benefits that you can enjoy when you become active in the home composting movement.

Whether you live in the country, the suburbs or an urban apartment it is possible to compost those kitchen scraps and newspapers and create something useful out of ‘practically nothing at all’.

If you are an artsy person, this can be a fun project for you. A compost bin can also be made by scrap wood, mesh wire bricks, cinderblocks, or a combination of these materials. A good location to find these materials is scrap yards and construction sites.

When it comes to choosing the shape of your composter, round bins give the most interior space, use the least amount of material, and are light weight in comparison to square and rectangle composters.

The round shape also conserves heat better and presents the most self-insulation .

However, if you do not have a large space to work with, a rectangular composter will make the most out of a small space.

The sturdiness of the walls of your composter can be as durable as you want them to be.

Sometimes a composter that is built to endure regular pressure can break, when it s full and bumped into or a tree falls against it.

It is recommended to use nails and screws, because they give good holding power and are cheap.

For holding mesh screens together, metal twists perform the best, but plastic ties can also be used.

Wire Composter

A wire composter is easy to build and protects your compost from wild animals.

Some materials that can be used to make it are chicken coop wires, hardware cloth, and chain link fence.

To make a round composter, roll the wire into a cylinder and use metal or plastic ties to tie the ends together.

To make a rectangular bin, place four or more poles into the ground and wrap the wire around the stakes, then tie it together.

The length and material of the material you work with determines the height and diameter of the compost bin.

In order to protect the compost from rain, it is recommended to place a piece of plywood on top.

Wood Framed Composter

A wood framed composter is made out of scrap wood and is easy to make if you know how to use a drill.

Begin by building a wood frame with four boards aligned to form a square or rectangle.

Nail or screw the boards together. Then, repeat the process to form a matching side.

Next, stand the frames up on their side to connect them with cross beams. You may need to add support beams on the sides to make it sturdier.

It is recommended to either wrap the composter in wire, cover it with plywood sheets, or face it with boards.

This will help keep the animals out and protect it from rain.

Brick or Cinderblock Composter

A brick or cinderblock composter is more durable than a wood one, because wood can rot over time.

To create this type of composter, stack the bricks tightly together in the form of a wall.

Most are made with only three walls, because that makes aerating the compost and unloading it easier.

To protect the composter from wild animals, you can place a wire gate or sheet of plywood, where the fourth wall would be.

A sheet of plywood should also be laid on top of the composter for additional protection.

If you need a stronger structure, either mortar the bricks together or run lengths of steel rebar through the center line of the cinderblocks.

Wire, wood framed, and brick and cinderblock composters are all equally efficient types of composters.

The best one depends on the environmental conditions of the place you live.

For example, if you live in a windy place, you will want a very sturdy structure.

Did you know that not all trash in your house needs to be thrown away?

That container of forgotten left over egg salad does not have to be scraped into the trash.

That box of expired strawberries?

Instead of dumping leftovers and expired food into the trash, scrape them into a kitchen compost pail.

What is a kitchen compost pail?

A kitchen compost pail is a small bucket that can hold up to a gallon or two of organic waste. Even better, you don’t have to worry about odors seeping out, because they are air tight and contain a replaceable carbon filter. Place your scraps in the trash and you’re sure to have bad smells seeping out.

How do they work?

You place any organic waste into the bucket and every few days you dump it outside in your compost pile.

From there the organic waste will naturally decompose into a rich soil.

If you have a garden, you can then use the compost to help your plants grow.

Should I use plastic or stainless steel?

Most people mindlessly use a plastic bin, but there are disadvantages to doing this.

For one, the bucket can crack easily, spilling all of the contents either all over your kitchen counter or all over your feet.

No one wants rotten scraps on their counter or on their feet. In addition, plastic buckets attract flies easily and allow the odor to seep out.

Therefore, for highest performance, you will want to use a stainless steel compost pail over a plastic bucket.

What size should I get?

The size of your kitchen compost pail is also important, because you don’t want to choose a bucket that is too big for your kitchen, but you don’t want a compost pail that is too small for your needs either.

Before purchasing your compost kitchen pail, make sure the steel is sturdy enough so that if it is dropped it will not break or crack.

In addition, make sure the compost bucket has a tight lid to prevent the materials from spilling out, animals from tipping it over, and small children messing with it.

Don’t like cleaning frequently?

If you don’t want to frequently scrub your kitchen compost pail clean, invest in Bio Bags.

Bio Bags are liner bags that you place in the bucket so that you don’t have to clean it when you empty it.

It works just like a garbage bag, except the bags are biodegradable.

If you decide to purchase a kitchen compost pail, make sure to buy a stainless steel container and Bio Bags.

And remember to get the right size that fits your kitchen size and organic waste output.

Never throw coffee grains, leftovers, or moldy food away again. Just scrape them into your kitchen compost pail, then empty the contents into your compost pile later.

This is not only more convenient for you, but more convenient for the Earth.

You will want to select the one that best fits your specific needs. Here are the four main types of compost tumblers to choose from:

1. Center-axle Mounted Drums: This kind of tumbler is fixed on a frame over the ground, and an upright mounted barrel rotates around the central axle like a Merry Go Round.

Operating this tumbler is simple; all you have to do is spin the drum. Some have doors on both of the ends, which makes loading and unloading easier. Most of these units are mounted close to the ground, which requires a smaller wheel barrow for unloading.

Giving it its name, the central axle is responsible for mixing the materials. A few examples of center-axle mounted drum tumblers are the Tumbleweed, the Green Machine, Yardiac tumbler, and the Urban Compost Tumbler.

2. Base Mounted Rolling Drums: Unlike the center-axle mounted drum, these tumblers are mounted parallel upon ground-level bases. Some contain rollers, whereas others have rounded points that hang the drum to let it spin.

The base mounted rolling drums with the rollers are much easier to turn. For models that don’t have rollers, steps can be molded to the body, so that you can turn it with your legs.

Some models can be removed from the base and set up-right to load, but unloading it using a wheel barrow can be difficult. For these types it is better to roll it to the garden area and dump the contents.

Examples of base mounted rolling drum tumblers to buy are the EZ Composter, Eco-Cycle Base Tumbler, Step-down Composter and the Compost Mixer.

3. Rolling Spheres: Rolling spheres, true to their name, are huge molded balls of plastic that are filled with the composting material and then rolled around the yard.

They are easily filled, because they lie on the ground, but might be harder to empty. Because these models are not true spheres, like a basketball, moving them around in the direction you want can be difficult.

They tend to roll in whichever direction they please, because they have sides like a dome. However, if you have a large space, it can be fun to roll them around.

If you’re in an urban area, the neighbors wouldn’t be too pleased if your compost container kept rolling into their yard.

If you’re looking to buy this type, Large Batch Composter and the Bio Orb are good brands.

4. Crank-operated Drums: Considered top of the line models of compost tumblers, they are more expensive than the other types of tumblers.

Crank-operated drums are built with a parallel mounted drum fixed on a raised frame.

Most crank-operated drums contain internal baffles, which are responsible for mixing the composting material. Loading the material can be difficult, because of how high above the ground these units sit.

On the other hand, unloading one is easy, because the compost pours out. Brands to consider are the Mantis ComposTwin and the ComposTumbler.

Now that you know the various types of compost tumblers there are to choose from, you are able to make the best, well-informed decision. Whichever tumbler fits your needs and preferences, you will not be disappointed in any of the recommended brands.

Composting can also help gardeners save money by being able to produce their own fertilizer from organic wastes.  If you are not good at building things or simply do not want to spend the time building the compost bin, there are four types of efficient compost bins you can purchase:

1. Enclosed Bin:  Enclosed compost bins are great for growers with limited space.

They are the most popular bins, because of their neat appearance and low price.

In addition, you don’t have to turn a holding unit, making these bins low-maintenance, and the lid protects from rain and animals.

However, low maintenance comes with slower composting: composting can take any where from six months to two years.

The only way to speed up the decomposition process is to aerate the pile.

2. Rolling Bins:  This compost bin is ideal for homeowners and others with sufficient space.  Rolling bins are low maintenance and easy to use and low.

All you have to do is roll it to your yard waste, load it up, and roll it away again.  However, fully loaded bins can become heavy and difficult to roll.  On the plus side, a quick tumble every day or two mixes and aerates the pile for you, the lid protects compost from rain and animals.

3. Compost Tumblers:  If you have limited space and are looking for a compost bin that compost swiftly, compost tumblers are ideal for you.  As the name implies, compost tumblers function by turning their contents periodically.

Just like enclosed bins and rolling bins, the lid protects from rain and animals.  This energy-efficient bin supplies bacteria with the oxygen it needs, making it easy to aerate, while speeding up decomposition.

On the downside, once the compost tumbler is full and the process begins, you must wait before adding materials.

4. Worm Bins:  Worm bins work by a process called vermicomposting; red worms are used to dispose of organic material and turn it into a rich, organic soil conditioner known as worm castings.  These can be used by both homeowners and apartment dwellers with limited space, because worm bins can be placed anywhere.

For example, they can be established under the kitchen sink, outdoors, or in the garage.  Another benefit of worm bins is that they are low maintenance and can be used year round.

A drawback is that unpleasant odors can occur if the bin is overloaded.  This can be resolved by allowing the worms sufficient time to decompose the waste, before adding more.

Something else to take into consideration is the temperature, because if it is too cold, the worms will freeze.  The ideal temperature of the area should be between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

No matter which type of compost bin you decide on purchasing, each bin is guaranteed to accomplish its task efficiently.

The type of bin you choose depends partly on personal preferences and partly on the amount of organic waste you have.  Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each compost bin will help you make the perfect choice for your needs.

Composting begins in the kitchen because food scraps make up a big part of the mix. Unless you want to run out to your compost pile after every meal, you should invest in a kitchen compost bucket. As you prepare your meals and after you clean up, chop up the scraps into small pieces and store them in your compost bucket until it is convenient to empty it into your compost bin. Kitchen composters come in different styles from plastic buckets to ceramic crocks. You can keep your composter under the sink where it is out of sight so you don’t need anything fancy. You do however, need a tight fitting lid so odor doesn’t escape and attract insects and vermin.

The choice in outdoor composters is huge. The first thing you should decide is if you want an open pit or an enclosed bin. If you live in the city or anticipate problems with wildlife, you may want an enclosed compost bin. If you don’t relish the idea of manually turning over your compost with a pitchfork on a regular basis, a compost tumbler is probably a good idea.

Compost tumblers are compost bins that rotate when you crank them or roll them. This is an easy way to keep the scraps inside mixed and aerated. These come in large and small sizes and sit up on legs or rest flat on the ground. The easiest units to operate are the ones that work with a hand crank and sit up on legs because when it is time to empty the container, you simply tip it over and the compost pours out. You have to manually scoop out compost from tumblers that sit on the ground. That isn’t a tough job though and may not even factor into your decision when looking at composters.

Other composting bins just sit on the ground similar to large wastebaskets or tanks. These are commonly made out of recycled plastic in keeping with the concern for the environment. Since these don’t tumble, you have to mix your compost scraps by hand on a regular basis. You can use a pitchfork for this, or a compost aerator. If your bin is small you can even use a hand rake or hand shovel. It is important to keep your compost well aerated so it will decompose.

Aerating your compost allows oxygen to get through all the layers and this speeds up decomposition. This is the reason composting is so important to our planet. Food that is deposited in a landfill will take up space for several decades because the soil is packed down and no oxygen can reach it to assist with decomposition. By recycling food scraps at home, it puts less of a burden on our landfills that are already filled to capacity.

In addition to keeping your compost stirred up and aerated, you need to constantly add new scraps to your compost bin in the proper proportions. Composters need food scraps but they also need carbon waste such as dead leaves and paper in order to make rich soil. Adding worms to composters is optional. They aren’t necessary but they can assist in decomposition.

Composters take several months to produce a full bin of rich compost ready for garden use. You’ll need to plan well ahead of garden planting season so your compost will be ready. Many gardeners use two composters so they can always have a batch of compost ‘cooking’ and one always ready to use.

Composters produce soil that greatly enhances the soil in your garden whether it is primarily sand or clay. Compost holds moisture at the proper level yet drains readily. However, it is important to keep in mind that compost bins are naturally humid environments and it is easy for too much moisture to accumulate in them. If that happens, your batch of compost could be ruined.

To prevent that from happening, make sure your bin is protected from rain and has air vents. You may also want to drill drain holes in the bottom so excess moisture can drain away. If you do have drain holes, be sure to elevate your compost bin so it doesn’t sit in a rain puddle and soak in moisture that way.

Composters are pretty easy to set up and maintain. The only real effort is the commitment needed to save your food scraps each day and keep the bin aerated on a regular basis. Compost bins make that easy since you don’t have to walk to the end of the garden in all kinds of weather to get to your compost pit. You can set an attractive compost bin right next to your back door for the ultimate in convenience.

When you are shopping for composters or compost accessories, try looking in home improvement, garden and farm stores. You can also shop for them online where you can find an endless selection of styles and sizes to choose from. You can spend a lot of money if you want to on composters but if your budget is tight, don’t let that stop you. All you need to get started is a container and a lid and you can grow from there.

Biobags are used to line kitchen compost buckets so they are not as messy to empty. When you are ready to dump your collection of scraps, all you have to do is lift out the bag and throw the whole thing into your compost pile. Being biodegradable, the bags won’t hurt your compost at all but will actually help it. Plus they make it much easier to keep a clean compost bucket.

Fruit flies are attracted to food scraps and can be a problem if they get a whiff of your compost bin or bucket. If you keep your bucket indoors you may want to set out some fruit fly traps. You can buy the traps alone or buy them with ceramic or soapstone holders that have an attractive appearance. These traps have tiny holes that attract the flies and then capture them. Simply replace the traps about once a month and your fruit fly problem will be kept under control. These are nontoxic and safe to use around food in your kitchen.

Carbon filters are nice compost accessories to have on your indoor compost bins because they filter odors and keep down the smell. Even though you keep the lid closed, when you open your bin to add more scraps, the smell can be overwhelming if you don’t empty your bucket very often. Compost bucket replacement filters fit into the lid on your bin and come with replacements you can rinse out and reuse or replace every few months.

Worms are a good addition to a compost bin but you must take steps to properly care for them. While you would usually set a compost bin in the sun to speed decomposition, that environment would be too hot for worms to survive. Worms will also die if your bin is kept too moist. Not every compost bin needs worms but they will speed along the process and reward you with rich compost as a result.

Screening is one of the compost accessories you may not think about until you need it. Rodents may be attracted to your compost bin. They can chew through just about anything so if you have a plastic or rubber container, they may decide to chew into your bin, especially if they have a starting place such as an air vent or drain hole. To solve that problem, you can attach rodent screen to your compost bin and protect it from all kinds of vermin.

Coconut fiber is a nice addition to your compost bin. In order for your compost to develop properly, you need to balance your food scraps with what is called brown waste. Brown waste includes things such as paper, leaves, yard waste, and coconut fiber. You can purchase coconut fiber in convenient bricks. These are nice compost accessories to have on hand when your compost starts to take on an order. A foul smell is a sign you don’t have enough brown waste in your mix.

Some gardeners recommend the use of compost starter to help get your composting process cranked up. You can buy compost starter in bags and add it to your bin according to the instructions. This starter contains ingredients such as nitrogen sources and microorganisms so the decomposition process begins sooner and you develop richer compost. Also, a compost tea catcher could prove to be very useful, as compost tea acts both as an insecticide and nutrient.

An aerator is a very helpful compost accessory as it helps oxygen get deep into your compost pile. This gardening tool looks like a cane except it has wings on the bottom of it. You plunge the aerator into your compost pile and twist it a little and it separates the material so air flows through. This is useful for open compost pits and bins alike.

A pitchfork serves the same purpose and is especially handy when working an outdoor compost pit. You need a pitchfork to help you turn over the compost so air can get to the bottom layers and decomposition occurs evenly throughout the pile. You can also use a pitchfork in a compost bin if the door opening is large enough.

Hand shovels are other nice compost accessories to have around. You can use them to aerate the soil in smaller compost bins. You’ll also need a hand shovel to scoop the compost out of smaller bins that sit on the ground and don’t tip over for emptying.

When it is time to harvest your compost, a compost sieve will be handy. This blocks material that has not decomposed yet and only allows rich fertile compost to pour through. A screen frame will also do the trick. This is a step you won’t want to overlook if you have worms in your compost bin. Sifting your compost will separate the worms from the soil without harming them so you can put them back to work in your composter.

You probably didn’t realize there were so many compost accessories you could choose from. You certainly don’t need all of them. It depends upon the type of compost system you have. If you have a crank compost tumbler that empties itself, you don’t need anything else at all really but it’s always fun to discover new gadgets and add them to your gardening workshop.

Many compost bins are made from recycled plastic and that may be important to you if you care about the environment. Others are made from galvanized metal or stainless steel. The black plastic models are said to increase the temperature inside the bin so decomposition takes place much quicker. Large compost bins are usually sized by cubic feet rather than gallons like the smaller units.

Whether you buy a large or small compost bin, you’ll want to make sure there is air circulation in the form of vents or screens so your compost gets adequate oxygenation. Your bin will also need a sturdy and secure door for keeping out wildlife and holding the compost in place when you turn it. The door should also be big enough so you can work the compost easily. If your bin doesn’t have a turning mechanism, you’ll have to fit a shovel or pitchfork inside to turn your pile.

Also think about how you’ll get your compost out. Some compost bins tip over so you can pour the compost out but with others, you’ll have to scoop it out with a shovel or some other implement. Consider the amount of effort you want to put into maintaining your bin. The easier it is, the more likely you will keep up with the proper maintenance and be rewarded with rich garden material.

You could pay $150 to $200 or more for a traditional compost bin or you could make your own from a big plastic or rubber trashcan. Drill air holes along the top and side of it and make sure the lid snaps tight. While it isn’t an ideal bin since you’ll have to manually turn over the compost on a regular basis, it is certainly an economical way to get started.

No matter what kind of compost bin you choose, when you start, you want to add about half soil and half garbage into the bottom of the bin. Find an ideal spot for the Envirocycle spinning compost bin in your yard or against your house where it will get a lot of sun so the temperature will get nice and warm inside. Collect food scraps from all your meals and add them to your bin on a regular basis and give it a good mix with a pitchfork or by rotating the bin, at least once a week

If you make your own bin, make sure you drill the holes in the side and not the top of your trashcan. Compost bins hold onto moisture since they are enclosed so you don’t want rainwater to seep in and drown your compost. Drilling a few holes in the bottom will help excess water to drain. Keep adding to your bin to make a nice size pile of compost. The material you put in must totally decompose. You may want to speed the process by chopping your food scraps into small pieces first and shredding the papers. In addition to food and paper scraps you can also toss in leaves, yard waste, and worms. If you do add worms, you may want to cover the holes with screens so they don’t escape through the holes in the bottom of your bin.

As you add scraps to your Soil Saver compost bin over time, try to maintain a constant balance between brown waste or leaves and paper, and green waste or food scraps. This will help maintain a dirt-like odor rather than emitting the smell of rotting food. When compost bins take on a bad smell it is usually because there are too many food scraps and not enough paper scraps to balance it out. Another thing that can contribute to a bad smelling compost bin is animal protein so you may want to omit adding milk or meat scraps to your bin.

Composting is not a quick process, especially if you don’t generate much in the way of food scraps each day. It will take a few months for your compost to get ready, so you should begin in the fall or winter and your compost will be set to go when it is time to plant a spring garden. Compost is a cheap and easy way to improve the quality of your garden soil.

It helps sandy soil hold onto water and it helps loosen clay. Because it is all natural, you don’t have to worry about adding chemicals to your garden produce, yet you’ll be able to control pests easier and produce healthier more bountiful crops. Composting is also good for the planet. It is hard to imagine but nearly 25% of our landfills are composed of materials that could be composted such as food scraps and yard waste. Although these materials decompose readily in compost bins, they can take decades to decompose in landfills due to the lack of oxygen.

Healthy compost made correctly has a dark, rich color and an earthy smell. Compost doesn’t smell bad or attract vermin if you use proper compost bins and take care of your waste correctly so it decomposes into a healthy garden additive.

Compost tumblers keep out animals, but insects, especially tiny gnats, may still get inside. Keeping your compost in a closed container also helps keep down on the odor of decomposing food that might irritate your neighbors. By mixing your compost often so air is added, you’ll be able to control the odor even better.

Compost tumblers come in many sizes from around 30 gallons up to 200 gallons. The most common are 55 gallon composters. These can be made in a variety of styles. The style and size affects the price you’ll have to pay. You can expect to pay from $70 to $250 in order to buy compost tumblers of high quality.

As the name implies, these containers tumble, or mix, the contents inside so air is added and decomposition takes place. This serves the same function as turning compost over with a pitchfork in an open compost bin. A common design is a compost bin that looks like a big barrel on its side with a crank attached. As you turn the crank, the barrel spins around so the contents inside are stirred up.

These crank operated tumblers are very easy to use. A simple turn of the crank does all the work. The doors on these are usually large and roomy so they are easy to fill. These tumblers are also usually on high legs so emptying the compost is as easy as placing a wheelbarrow underneath the container and swinging open the door.

Other compost tumblers are built closer to the ground. Rather than cranks, they may have steps so you can rotate the composter with your feet. Since they are lower to the ground, they are also more difficult to empty and require scooping to get the compost out.

A ball compost tumbler sits directly on the ground. You mix the contents by rolling it along the ground or lawn. These are more difficult to turn over and since they are on the ground, they are also more difficult to empty.

When shopping for compost tumblers, you’ll want to look for one with a wide door so it is easy to get the compost out. You’ll also want one that is easy to turn. As the container fills with compost, it will get heavier and heavier, so make sure you’ll be able to use it properly.

It takes several weeks for your compost to be ready. Using compost tumblers is usually a little quicker simply because you think to turn it more often since it is convenient to do so. The more you turn, the quicker your compost will be ready to use. You may want to invest in two tumblers so one can be decomposing while you are adding scraps to the other one. That way you’ll always have a fresh supply of compost when you need it.

Remember compost tumblers retain moisture more readily than open compost pits so you will need to water them less frequently. You should also protect your compost from rainwater. If rain is allowed to enter and collect in your tumbler, it could ruin your compost.

You may need to closely watch what you add to a Envirocycle compost tumbler since these do better with a mix of brown and green scraps. If you only add food scraps, you may end up with a rotting pile of food rather than compost. Add leaves or straw to your tumbler to prevent this. In addition, you should avoid adding foods such as milk or meat because animal protein will cause your compost to give off a foul odor as it decomposes.

Compost tumblers are tidy and for the most part they emit very little odor. For that reason, you can park them near your house so it is convenient for you to empty your food scraps on a daily basis. You can also choose stylish models so they don’t look too bad sitting in your yard. While compost tumblers all work on the same basic principal, each as its own set of operating instructions. For best results, it is a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding the use of your bin especially regarding how often you need to roll or crank it to mix the compost.

To create the best compost, you’ll need brown waste such as straw or leaves and green waste such as produce scraps. In addition you’ll need the proper moisture level and plenty of oxygen that you create by cranking the Tumbleweed compost bin tumbler. It couldn’t be any easier to make your own compost. These garden devices are simple enough for anyone to use. Just be sure you don’t buy one with such a large capacity that you can’t rotate it because of lack of strength.

If you can’t rotate your compost tumbler, your scraps won’t mature into fertile compost and you’ll be much better off building an open pit instead. Remember though, even an open compost pit needs to be turned over and stirred up on a regular basis and doing it with a pitchfork is backbreaking labor in itself that you can avoid by using a handy compost tumbler with a crank.

While small compost buckets might be enough for a small greenhouse, a larger greenhouse along with your garden will require more compost to ensure that your fruits, vegetables, or flowers grow healthily in optimum soil conditions. You can easily use compost bins to convert most of your kitchen waste into totally natural fertilizer to help your soil regain its nutritional properties, which in turn will ensure healthy plant growth all through the year.

You can opt for ready-made compost bins that are available in a wide variety of materials such as recycled HDPE plastic, metal wire, wood, polyethylene, galvanized steel, and several other flexible porous materials to ensure that your kitchen waste turns into greenhouse soil compost within a few weeks. You can also choose between several colors that match the color of your home or greenhouse so that the bin does not mar the look of your property. Your chosen bin or bins can now turn waste vegetables, vegetable and fruit skins, eggshells, tea bags, grass cuttings, twigs, and dried leaves from your kitchen, garden, and greenhouse into totally natural fertilizer that is completely free and environmentally-friendly at the same time.

You should, however, avoid dumping meat or other processed food products into your compost bin or bins so as to avoid rats or other large scavengers from trying to get into your bin. You can also sprinkle in a little soil from your greenhouse to further accelerate the decomposing process and should also ensure that the waste is kept moist at all times. You should also place compost bins in sunlight so that the heat from the sun can speed up the process.

You can choose from a wide range of compost bins from online stores that can be found in varying shapes, colors, and sizes. You should choose a compost bin based on your compost requirements, as well as your ability to generate waste from your kitchen as well as your garden and greenhouse. If you are technically skilled then you can also make your own compact bin out of concrete blocks or wooden planks although they will certainly require more maintenance as compared to plastic ones.

You should also turn the decomposing contents in your bin at regular intervals for perfect and even decomposition, and since this could pose a problem if your bin is indeed quite large, then opting for a tumbler model that simply needs to be rotated at regular intervals would be a better, albeit costlier option. You should place your compost in any corner of your property that is not frequented at regular intervals and should also use charcoal filters to ensure that the smell of the decomposing contents does not travel back into your home or garden.

You can certainly help the environment while saving a lot of money in the process when you opt for large compost bins to rejuvenate the soil in your greenhouse or garden in a totally natural manner. You can now convert your kitchen and garden waste back into soil nutrients by using compost bins to store your wastes that will quickly turn into perfectly safe nutrients for your greenhouse and garden soil.