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Back Porch Compost TumblersCompost is one of nature’s simplest compounds, and has been of huge benefit to agriculture and horticulture for centuries. Compost soil is particularly versatile as it can be used for fertilization, as a soil conditioner and as an organic pesticide. Compost also has uses in landscaping and ecosystems, being notably effective for reducing the impact of erosion.Benefits of using a compost tumbler instead of traditional compost pileFor years, people have made and used compost piles to take advantage of nature's "living fertilizer". Making a traditional compost "pile" is easy, and can be started any time of the year. You can make an compost bin from chicken wire to enclose the compost materials or just choose a location in your back yard and start making a pile. Once you start the pile, it not portable (with the exception of shoveling it into a wheel barrel). Since oxygen is a critical component of composting, the pile will need to be turned (with pitch fork) at least once a month and have water added to keep damp like a sponge. If you have dogs or wild animals, you will probably need to find a way to enclose the compost so it does not become a rat hotel or new dog bowl.
Original Compost Tumbler Since not everyone has an ideal location for an unattractive, open compost pile, many people (including my family) use pre manufactured compost tumblers. When you are researching composting products you will find that compost tumblers and back porch compost tumblers are used to mean the same type of product. Back porch tumblers are a style of compost "bins" that unlike traditional compost piles are completely enclosed with lids, are off the ground on some type of stand, usually shaped like a barrel with a handle to turn/rotate the compost. Gardner's call the this style compost bin "back porch" because they are more compact and could be easily used on your back porch, patio, back yard, then wheeled around to your garden for convenience. I love to be able to walk out my kitchen door, lift the composter lid, deposit the food scraps and continue on with my cleaning or cooking. If we had a compost pile it would have to be far back in our yard and would not be as convenient as stepping out on the back porch empting in my waste and hand cranking the compost turning the handle to rotate the bin and create the compost as opposed to the back breaking digging through the rotting materials with a pitch fork. Back porch compost tumblers don’t require any gardening expertise for appropriate usage, though some basic composting knowledge is helpful. Composting is something that everybody should attempt to do, in order to reduce waste and enhance their gardens. Composting is a well-known process, and information about it is easy to find, so there’s no major reason to be put off. Composting is no longer just for the farming communities and keen gardeners; for those of us who don’t possess a large garden or aren’t familiar with large-scale techniques, the back porch compost tumbler shows the way forward. A product such as the tumbler allows us to do our bit for the environment, and allows us as individuals to create our own manifestations of sustainable development.
How to use a compost tumbler to make compostThere are so many compost tumblers on the market and each come with directions for usage of that particular brand. Making compost is universal no matter which brand of composter you decide to buy. Kitchen wastes that can be composted: cardboard, shredded paper, fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds, and egg shells. Yard/garden waste that can be composted: leaves, clean hay, grass clippings, tree trimmings, bark, sawdust, rice hulls, nut hulls and animal manure. This demonstrates an effective and environmentally friendly way to put seemingly
useless kitchen waste to good use, and create something positive
out of what would otherwise be considered as garbage
Where to buy a compost tumblerWe do not sell compost tumblers, but you can buy them online direct from
the manufacturer, Ebay, Gardner's Supply Company, Loews, Home Depot and many independent nurseries and garden centers and Compost Tumblers on Amazon Composting has since been the subject of a number of minor improvements, though the basic technique is essentially similar to that used in the early twentieth century. The speed at which compost is created has been the key area for improvement, and some composters now claim to produce a high quality substance within two weeks. Composting is no longer just a pastime for farmers or people with huge gardens. Products such as the back porch compost tumbler show how anybody, even those living in urbanized (condo's, town homes, duplexes) areas, can get in on the act and produce a good standard of compost to improve the aesthetics and conditions of their gardens. A back porch compost tumbler can typically produce finished compost within six weeks and works in a compact way, as the tumbler doesn’t occupy a large amount of garden space.
Best Back Porch Compost Tumbler ModelsEven though most people refer to the tumbler style composter as a back porch composter, not all tumbler composters can be used on the back porch. I should clarify- almost all of them can be used on the back porch, however not all of them should be used on the back porch. If you are looking for a tumbler composter that will be exclusively used on your back porch.
How to compare compost tumblers. Qualities to look for in the best back porch friendly compost bins.Important features of compost tumblers: 1. Is the compost drum completely sealed. Will it leak compost juices onto your porch, have an odor, attract bugs, be rodent proof. 2. Consider the size of the compost tumbler. Will it fit into/ on the location you want to use it in. Is it large enough for your size family (compost capacity). 3. Does it have an attractive design-since the composter is going to be close to your home, is it going to be an eye sore, will the composter be visually acceptable. Consider the compost tumblers size, shape and color. 4. Look for a compost tumbler that is easy to turn. 5. Does it compost quickly. How long is your composting season with the temperatures in your area. We are in Texas and hot composting is not a problem here in the summer but it does take longer to compost materials in the winter. 6. Does the compost tumbler come assembled or is it easy to assemble. How long do they estimate it takes to assemble the tumbler. Are the instructions clear and concise? Is there a customer service number to call if there is missing parts? 7. Is the composter on wheels and or can it be moved around easily. 8. Is the drum on the tumbler sturdy- what material is it made out of. Is it metal, will it rust where you live? 9. Does the company have good customer service. Who will you be able to call if you have a question, the product arrives damages, you need to order replacement parts some day. 10. If you are ordering at compost tumbler online, what are the shipping charges, how long does it take for delivery.
History of CompostingThe history of composting is fairly contested, with some authorities linking its creation to the Roman Empire, where compost was left in the open to mature for roughly a year until it could be used on the land. Another popular branch of thought suggests that compost could have existed in the Old Testament era, as the Bible and the Talmud both contain writings about decomposed manure and straw mixtures, pointing towards the application of compost. There is less confusion surrounding twentieth century cultivations of compost however, despite the time gaps between the developments of compost soil across the globe. English speaking nations were introduced to more modern formulations of compost through the work of Sir Albert Howard, a British agronomist. After thirty years of experimentations in India from 1905 onwards, Howard refined the formula for creating high quality compost by increasing the use of plants, and by initially layering the compost, before turning it later on in the process. Howard’s work began to enter the realms of gardening general knowledge after the publication of his book ‘An Agricultural testament’. America was introduced to the benefits of more scientific composting techniques at a similar time. A number of compost advocates revolutionized the American agricultural and horticultural industries, the most distinguished of which is probably Jerome Irving Rodale, A New York born writer and publisher. He was a fan of green farming and gardening methods and was also an early supporter of sustainable farming techniques. He’s also attributed with popularizing the term ‘organic’. Rodale created a number of publications, such as ‘Organic Gardening’ (A gardening magazine), which have sustained his legacy despite his untimely death during the filming of a talk show in 1971. For more information about composting or recycling: DMOZ Composting - Google Composting - Yahoo composting
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Updated September 19, 2011. Copyright 2003-2011 Allysgoodies. All rights reserved. | ||
by Green Culture
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