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Composting Helps


Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler
Tumbleweed

If you are composting the old-fashioned, hard way, you will need a manure fork or shovel to turn your pile as often as you can stand all that exercise.

  • If you are composting the smart, modern way, all you really need to accomplish the task is a compost tumbler.
  • I find having a bin to hold the excess material that will be used for the next batch is very handy to have.
  • The very informative little book you get free of charge when you buy your composter at 4SeasonGreenhouse.com will tell you everything you need to know about composting in your composter, and what to expect. It's called 'Home Composting Made Easy', by McDowell et al.
  • 4SeasonGreenhouse.com sells compost thermometers to use to test the interior temperature of the compost. They have a long probe to get to the center of the material. It will tell how hot your pile is. There are two models to choose from. A handy gadget to have when you are composting in the cooler months.
  • A Backyard Moisture Meter is probably the most helpful gadget for someone new to composting.
    Geo Bin
    Geo Bin

    Knowing how wet to keep your compost can be tricky.
  • Compost sifting screens are nice to have to sift your finished compost.Anything that is too large to pass through the screen can be crumbled up, or returned to the composter. If you are using your compost in seed starter mix, you want it uniform and small in size so the seeds do not have to struggle to emerge. A sifter can be used on any soil.
  • ComposTumbler Covers will insulate your composter in the cold months, helping it to keep on working in spite of the temperatures outside. Keeping your composter out of bitter winds will also help.
  • Compost Tubs are placed under your composter to catch any liquid that runs out of your composter, which is called compost tea. The tea can be used to water plants with. Houseplants especially love it.
    Activator
    Activator

  • Kitchen Compost Buckets with Filters do exactly what they say they do. They will prevent your compost scraps from smelling up the kitchen and attracting gnats before you can have a chance to take it out to the composter. In fact, it works so well that you could forget it's there. The nice wide opening makes it easy to dump and clean out. 4SeasonGreenhouse.com offers two styles to choose from. They are perfect for the busy working couple that gardens on the weekend.
  • Compost Activator is a packet of dried micro-organisms that jump start your compost. They become active as soon as they become wet in the pile. You just sprinkle a handful in the composter, spray with water and tumble. It is especially useful in the cooler months or when you do not have a little leftover compost to start your current pile. It can be used if there is not garden soil to add to your compost.
  • Compost Tea Makers will make and store up to 10 gallons of tea to have available when you need to water your garden or anything that grows. They take fertilizer tea to a higher level.

  • Chipper/Shredder
    Chipper/shredder

    Chipper/Shredders

     like the UGC chipper/shredder 4seasongreenhouse.com sells, are probably the very best compost helper you can have. It will make all the material you are going to compost a more uniform and smaller size which will enable it to decompose faster inside the tumbler. Chipped material is also easier to tumble.