Growing vegetable garden crops depletes the land. The preservation of its fertility is ensured by the introduction of fertilizers, the best of which is compost. There are enough materials for its preparation at any summer cottage: fallen leaves, mown grass, weeds and food waste. Compost can be obtained by dumping all the listed ingredients together. This method leads to irrational use of the area of the site, and does not look attractive enough. A special container for processing garden waste into fertilizer will help to avoid these disadvantages and get high-quality compost. The editorial staff of the site "bestx.htgetrid.com/en/" offers readers an overview of the best composters for 2020 ", based on customer reviews and expert opinion.
Content
What is compost
Compostus means composite (lat.) The name itself speaks of the method of obtaining the most affordable organic fertilizer, directly on their land plots, by layer-by-layer storage of food waste (except meat), and products of gardening and economic activities.
Anything that can rot and overheat is suitable here:
- sawdust, shavings, small branches;
- shredded rags of natural fabrics;
- cut grass and weeds weeded out (without seeds);
- tops, fallen leaves, fallen and rotten vegetables and fruits.
Layed in layers, all this garbage rotts, turning into a nutritious mass saturated with nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and a mass of trace elements. The entire process must take place in the presence of sufficient air and moisture. During the period of active decomposition of organic matter, the temperature rises to + 50 / + 70 ° C. Ripening compost heats up less, no more than 50 ° C. The product reaches full "condition" in two years, but with the use of modern composting "accelerators", constant aeration and sufficient moisture, a year will be enough.
Important! Beets, salads, spinach, cucumbers, squash and cabbage are prone to nitrate build-up. You should not feed the beds with the named crops with compost of annual maturity, which contains a lot of nitrogen.
Composting methods
Compost heap
On a suburban area, a suitable place is chosen, if possible, hidden from view, since its appearance will not bring aesthetic pleasure. The soil is loosened on the bayonet of a shovel to ensure that earthworms and beneficial bacteria are involved in the recycling process.
Interesting! Live soil inhabited by worms accelerates the maturation of the compost. The preparation of a product on "dead" ground can take several years.
For constant replenishment of stocks of homemade fertilizers, it would be more correct to organize not one pile, but three. While the contents of the first are applied to the soil, in the second, the process of maturation of the compost for the next season is in full swing. In parallel, the material for processing is put into the third heap. Waste is placed in layers:
- The first, in a layer of 20 cm, is laid on the mown greens, weeded out grass, weeds (without seeds).
- Manure, bone meal and other ingredients with a high nitrogen content are placed on the green mass in a layer of 5 cm.
- The nitrogenous mass is sprinkled with a layer of ash, lime and earth, 2 cm thick.
Upon reaching the desired height, the bookmark is sprinkled with earth and covered with a layer of foliage or hay to retain moisture.
Compost bin
A compost heap cannot serve as a "decoration" for a land plot. To give it a decent, even design, you can build a compost box with your own hands. Experienced summer residents will tell you how to do this and from what. Manufacturing options vary. Most often used boards or pallets are used, less often - commercial wood.
Construction begins with the assembly of the frame. Side and back walls are made with openings for air penetration, without which the waste decomposition process is impossible. For the same purpose, a fine metal mesh is used as wall cladding. The lower part of the front wall is made removable or folding, for the convenience of removing the finished fertilizer.
The lid of the box is made solid and attached to the back wall with hinges to open it for filling waste and moistening the compost with water. In hot weather, close the lid to retain moisture. The box is made without a bottom. This is a prerequisite to ensure access to earthworm waste. The structure is installed on small concrete slabs at the corners of the frame. Wooden parts are impregnated with compounds that protect them from decay. The metal mesh is painted for the same purpose. If desired, the compost bin can be given a completely decorative look, and even make it an element of landscape design.
Prefabricated composters
Ready-made composters are more convenient than boxes assembled from scrap materials, already because they are ready-made. There is no need to search and select material, develop a structure, waste time on manufacturing and assembly, protection from corrosion and decay. Pay for the purchase, choose a place in the garden and install. Assembling the device will not take more than 10-15 minutes. These composters have many advantages:
- They are compact, do not take up much space on the site;
- They do not spread unpleasant odors;
- Waste is not scattered around the container;
- The output is high quality compost;
- Fertilizer ripens faster than in a compost heap;
- Some models with good thermal insulation work even in winter;
- The material of the container is resistant to weathering.
To all the listed advantages, it is worth adding the completely aesthetic appearance of all industrial models.
Interesting! Some containers differ in design, for example, in the form of a large boulder. In addition to their main functions, such composters can be a decoration of the site.
In a word, this type of gardening equipment is a real find for any gardener.
Types of ready-made composter
Before making a purchase, you need to find out in more detail what composters are. There are two types of devices that are structurally different from each other:
- Open, i.e. without cover and blank walls. The most budgetary option. This is perhaps their only advantage. The disadvantages include the ability to overgrow with weeds, the spread of unpleasant odors and a long maturation of the product.
- Closed. Almost blank walls with special openings for aeration and collection of atmospheric moisture, lid with a latch lock. Available in volumes up to 1000 liters. The design is ideal for accelerated maturation of high quality fertilizer. There is only one drawback - the price. Closed containers are always more expensive than open ones.
In terms of form and purpose, closed composters are divided into three types:
- Box. The traditional shape of a container with a lid. Most often plastic (polyethylene or polypropylene). There are metal containers. Easy to assemble and carry to any end of the site. The most popular models have a capacity of 600 and 800 liters.
- Thermocomposter is a device with heat-insulated walls. Promotes accelerated ripening of the fertilizer by maintaining a high temperature inside the container.Suitable for year-round use. There are models with a thermometer, with which it is easy to determine the beginning and end of the product ripening process.
- Vermicomposter. A device for processing food waste into fertilizer with earthworms. Can be of trough type and underground. In the first case, food waste (meat and milk coma) is loaded into a tray and worms are launched. After processing the first tray, the next one is installed above it, etc. An underground vermicompost is a small container with holes in the walls, with a lid and no bottom. The device is buried in the ground up to the lid, food waste is loaded inside and tightly closed with a lid. The worms will get to the "raw material" themselves, through the holes in the walls of the apparatus. The owner only has to periodically load the "trough" and use the finished product.
How to choose a ready-made composter
The selection criteria are simple and straightforward. The following concepts and characteristics are usually considered and compared
- volume;
- materials;
- design;
- manufacturer.
Volume
In order to provide your garden with high-quality organic matter, you will need a large enough container. Most often, composters are chosen with a volume of 600, 800 and 1000 liters. To ensure a constant availability of ready-made compost, two or three boxes of 600 liters each can be installed on the site.
For processing only food waste, a container of 200 liters is sufficient. An underground vermicompost is a good option for a summer residence. Many townspeople who do not have summer cottages are engaged in growing flowers at home or organize a mini garden on the balcony. A home garden also requires feeding. For the apartment, products from the Australian company Tambleweed, for example, the Worm Café household container vermicompost, are suitable.
Materials
Ready-made composters are made of plastic and metal. These materials are weatherproof. Plastic containers are made of polyethylene and polypropylene. When choosing a composter, you should give preference to products of the middle price range. The main disadvantages of cheap plastic models are weak locks on the loading hatch covers and wall joints.
Metal models are more expensive than plastic ones and, when assembled, have a significant mass. The finished composition from a metal container will be denser than the product ripened in a plastic box.
Design
When choosing a composter, pay attention to the dimensions and design of the loading door. The larger it is, the easier it is to lay garden waste, mix them to provide air access. The lid should swing back at an angle sufficient to load the box without interference, and snap securely into place so as not to open from the wind load. The popularity of sectional models, which are a container separated by one or two partitions, is growing. It will replace three or four composters and ensure that fertilizer is ready for the entire season.
Top manufacturers
The most frequently asked question when buying a composter is: "Which company is the best product?" There are enough manufacturers of quality finished products on the market, offering products of various price ranges. Here are some of them:
- Otto Graf GmbH, Germany. The company produces high quality composters of various sizes and designs. The popularity of her models is based on the traditionally high German quality of materials, construction and assembly. Containers in the form of a large stone deserve special attention. This disguise of the waste box is already an element of landscape design.
- Al - Ko. Another German company. Her specialization is garden tools. The quality of the goods is consistently high. The company's goal is to improve the quality of life of its customers.
- Biolan. Family company from Finland. Produces fertilizers, earthen mixtures, popular models of composters and dry closets. All products are of excellent quality. The functionality of the company's products is impressive: complete tightness, built-in ventilation and a thermometer, accelerated maturation of the final product, year-round operation.Comparisons of Biolan models with products from other companies are not always appropriate. How can you compare a backpack with a travel backpack? And the prices of the products of this company are far from budgetary. Such devices are affordable only for utilities or large farms.
- Piteco. Russian brand known for high quality dry closets and composters. Product quality meets international standards.
- Composters Prosperplast. A young Polish company. She started her business in 1993. Several people were involved in the production of plastic flower pots. Currently, the company is developing dynamically, it has a whole department of talented designers and its own production facilities. Prosperplast composters are distinguished by their excellent functionality.
- Keter. The Israeli company is a global manufacturer of plastic products for the home and garden. The company's products do not need additional advertising.
- Wave. Russian brand. Produces inexpensive products of various sizes and decent quality.
The list of manufacturers goes on and on. The product of which company is better to buy is up to you. To do this, you should listen to the advice and recommendations of experienced gardeners, find out what you should pay special attention to when buying, find out how much the product costs and decide on your budget.
Where can I buy
If there are specialized shops selling gardening tools in your city, you can visit them. The surest step would be to turn to the Internet service Yandex. Market ". Here you can find a full description and familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the product, navigate the price, find out the names of online stores where you can buy it. You can go to their pages using the link and make a purchase with the click of a button. Before you buy something, pay attention to customer reviews, including the level of service of a particular site.
Rating of quality composters
10. Keter ECO-Composter 320 L
The review is opened by the ECO-Composter L model, an Israeli company Keter, one of the world leaders in the production of household products from polymers. The ideal solution for any gardener looking to turn waste into valuable organic fertilizer. It is assembled quickly and easily. The large lid can be folded back and does not interfere with the laying of waste, it snaps securely, easily opens when necessary. The material for the manufacture of the body is plastic obtained by recycling secondary raw materials (PET bottles, etc.).
Advantages:
- large volume;
- reliable locks for joining the walls;
- light weight;
- stylish design;
- fast maturation of high-quality compost.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
| Model name / brand name | Specifications | average price |
|---|---|---|
| Keter Eco Composter / Israel | Garden composter. Plastic container with a lid, volume 320 liters. Black color. Dimensions (mm) 650х650х750. Weight 4.9 kg. Equipped with a removable flap for extracting the finished fertilizer, aeration holes. | 2800 rubles |
9.EvoGreen 600 L
The Polish company Prosperplast produces garden composters of various sizes. Our review focuses on the EvoGreen 600 L. This is a 600 liter plastic container for processing food and vegetable waste into fertilizer. The device is easily assembled into a reliable structure. The walls have enough holes to aerate the decaying ingredients. The dimensions of the hinged lid allow the waste to be loaded into the box without interference, as well as to stir them to accelerate the maturation of the final product. Not a bad option for summer residents. Users appreciate the model for its good capacity, interesting design, quick ripening of high-quality fertilizer.
Advantages:
- light weight;
- ease of assembly;
- large volume;
- affordable price.
disadvantages
- insufficient structural rigidity.
| Model name / brand name | Specifications | average price |
|---|---|---|
| EvoGreen 600L / Poland | Garden composter. Made of plastic. Capacity - 600 l. Dimensions (mm) 900х910х134.5. Available in black and green. Product weight - 9.6 kg.Not used at subzero temperatures. | 3550 rubles |
8.Prosperplast 1 KSM 800 C-3411
Another product from the Polish manufacturer is the Prosperplast 1 KSM 800 C-3411 model. A two-section device with a volume of 800 liters, allows you to use ready-made compost in the current season, and at the same time lay waste to provide the garden with organic matter next year. Two-piece containers are popular with owners of large suburban areas. The average price of 5,206 rubles does not seem too high for devices of this size.
Advantages:
- large volume;
- fast assembly;
- light weight;
- interesting design;
- affordable price.
disadvantages
- thin plastic.
| Model name / brand name | Specifications | average price |
|---|---|---|
| Prosperplast 1 KSM 800 C-3411 / Poland | Garden composter made of plastic. Equipped with openings for aeration and a flap for extracting the finished product. Base dimensions (mm) 1350x720. Height - 826 mm. The model is two-section, with a volume of 800 liters. | 5206 rubles |
7.Piteco K1130
The Russian industry is represented by the Piteco K1130 model. The manufacturer did not bother with the pretentious design and gave the product the shape of a box with a volume of 300 liters. Easy to assemble. Numerous aeration holes facilitate rapid waste decomposition. The volume is not large, but this is quite enough for a garden of 4 acres. The loading lid is large enough not to interfere with the filling of waste. The use of frost-resistant plastic in the construction allows the model to be used for its intended purpose all year round. The average price is 2120 rubles.
Advantages:
- simple assembly;
- design is simple, emphasizes functionality;
- decent volume;
- fast ripening of fertilizer;
- affordable price.
Disadvantages:
- weak locks, not intended for disassembling the container.
| Model name / brand name | Specifications | average price |
|---|---|---|
| Piteco K1130 / Russia | Garden composter with a volume of 300 liters. Material - cold-resistant polyethylene. Designed for year-round use. The body is equipped with openings for air exchange, a loading cover and a hatch for extracting the finished fertilizer. Dimensions (mm) 800x600x600. Weight - 6.5 kg. There are locks for attaching an additional section. | 2120 rubles |
6 the wave
Plastic garden composter Volnush with a volume of 1000 liters. designed for the processing of garden waste on large land plots. The product of domestic development is made of frost-resistant polypropylene, which means that it can be used all year round. The body is assembled from four parts with fixation with galvanized screws. To give the structure rigidity, the walls have a wavy profile. Above the waves are openings for intensive air exchange. The model is produced without a bottom to remove excess moisture. For the convenience of the user, the discharge windows are located on four sides. The average price of a container is 6090 rubles.
Advantages:
- large volume;
- simple assembly;
- fast ripening of the fertilizer.
Disadvantages:
- product 1000 mm high. not very convenient for short users;
- when loading “under the cover”, the locks may not support the weight of the waste.
| Model name / brand name | Specifications | average price |
|---|---|---|
| Volnusha 1000l. / Russia | Foam plastic garden composter. Includes four walls and a cover. The undulating profile of the walls gives the structure rigidity. There are holes for aeration on top of the wave. Container capacity - 1000 l. | 6200 rubles |
5.Tumbleweed Worm Feast
The Australian brand Tumbleweed Worm Feast vermicomposter is designed to process food waste (except meat and dairy) into a first-class organic fertilizer by feeding them to earthworms. The device is a frusto-conical container with a lid. It is assembled from three walls with latches. The body is equipped with holes for the worms to penetrate. The model is buried in the ground up to the lid, filled with kitchen waste and tightly closed with a lid.After a couple of weeks, you can add another batch of waste. Ultimately, the owner receives 20 liters of excellent organic fertilizer. In the course of exploitation, a certain number of worms can be "relocated" to a conventional composter to speed up the process of processing garden waste. The average price of the model is 2500 rubles.
Advantages:
- ease of assembly and operation;
- obtaining high-quality organic fertilizers within a month;
- attracting earthworms to work on waste;
- affordable price.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
| Model name / brand name | Specifications | average price |
|---|---|---|
| Tumbleweed Worm Feast 22L / Australia | Underground vermicompost. Plastic container with a volume of 22 liters. Purpose - processing of food waste into a high-grade organic fertilizer using earthworms. | 2500 rubles |
4.Graf Thermo-King
In fourth place is another model from Otto Graf, Thermo-King 400L. Plastic container for 400 liters, is durable and durable, the ability to withstand exposure to ultraviolet rays. The expanded polypropylene of the housing perfectly keeps heat, contributing to the accelerated maturation of the final product. Manufacturers declare the possibility of its operation at low temperatures. Easy to assemble and operate, the Graf Thermo-King does not take up much site space and provides the owner with excellent organic fertilizer. The manufacturer has equipped the container with a two-sided lid for ease of loading. Its purchase will cost the buyer 5050 rubles. According to buyers, this is an excellent combination of price and quality.
Advantages:
- high quality material and workmanship;
- the possibility of year-round operation;
- ease of assembly;
- a rigid frame that can withstand full load.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
| Model name / brand name | Specifications | average price |
|---|---|---|
| Graf Thermo-King 400L / Germany | Garden composter with a capacity of 400 liters. Made from expanded polypropylene. The material is frost resistant. The product can be used at low temperatures. Does not deteriorate from exposure to sunlight. The container lid opens on two sides. | 5015 rubles. |
3.Tumbleweed Compost Bin
The top three of the review is opened by the model of the Australian brand Tumbleweed Compost Bin. This is a cylindrical container with a volume of 400 liters, with a tight-fitting lid, without a bottom. Due to its compact size, it does not take up much space on the site, does not crack from the sun's rays. For intensive air exchange, holes are provided in the body. The cover is equipped with a built-in valve to regulate the aeration process. The lack of a bottom allows earthworms to participate in the waste recycling process. The manufacturer produces an optional accessory for mixing waste - Tumbleweed aerator (not included). In general, this is a solid device that fully meets its purpose. The maturation process of compost is fast. The finished product is crumbly, without unpleasant odors. The average price of the product is 6400 rubles.
Advantages:
- does not require assembly;
- does not collapse under full load;
- does not crack in the sun;
- compact;
- 12 years warranty.
Disadvantages:
- the price is high for this volume.
| Model name / brand name | Specifications | average price |
|---|---|---|
| Tumbleweed Composter Bin / Australia | Garden composter with a capacity of 400 liters. The shape of the case is cylindrical, with a diameter of 910 mm, a height of 790 mm. Made of plastic, protected from the damaging effects of sunlight. Air exchange is carried out through openings in the housing and is regulated by a valve built into the cover. The presence of a bottom is not provided for by the design, for free access to earthworm waste and removal of excess moisture. | 6400 rubles |
2.Verdemax 900 L
In second place is the model of the Italian brand Verdemax 900 L. Its volume allows providing a fairly large plot of land with high-quality organic fertilizer. The compact box does not take up a lot of usable space.The material of the container is not destroyed by sunlight. Its walls, quite strong and rigid, can easily withstand a full load. The designers took care of the convenience of the users by equipping the garden box with a double-sided lid and two hatches for extracting the finished compost. The average cost of the model is 13,200 rubles.
Advantages:
- large volume;
- durable body;
- convenient location of the cover and unloading hatches;
- fast ripening of the product.
Disadvantages:
- high price.
| Model name / brand name | Specifications | average price |
|---|---|---|
| Verdemax / Italy | Garden composter, 900 l. Made of UV-resistant expanded polypropylene. Air exchange is carried out through openings in the housing. Available in brown and green containers. Product dimensions (mm) - 1000x1000x1000. The cover of the loading opening opens on two sides, as well as the flaps of the openings for removing the finished fertilizer. | 13,900 rubles |
1.Biolan 550
The first place and the best customer reviews goes to the product of the Finnish company Biolan 550 L. The model is not just a box for weeds, but a serious engineering structure with a function to control the course of the waste decomposition process. The thick-walled foam plastic housing maintains high temperatures, accelerating waste decomposition. The special shape of the lid collects the resulting condensation and returns it to the processed mass. An internal ventilation system supplies air to the central part of the tank, accelerating the decomposition of components. To regulate the air intake, a valve is provided on the front wall of the vessel. A built-in thermometer is located nearby, which allows you to determine the beginning and end of the fertilizer ripening process. A small mesh is mounted in the bottom of the container, which ensures the outflow of excess moisture and prevents rodents from entering the device. At the bottom of the device there is a door for extracting the finished compost. This miracle of garden technology is worth 67,002 rubles.
Advantages:
- fast maturation of compost;
- built-in thermometer;
- air regulation valve;
- the tightness of the vessel;
- the possibility of year-round operation;
- stylish design.
Disadvantages:
- very high price.
| Model name / brand name | Specifications | average price |
|---|---|---|
| Biolan 550 / Finland | Garden composter for industrial use, volume 550 l. Made of thick foam plastic. Sealed. Equipped with an internal ventilation system, an adjustable air intake valve and a built-in thermometer. Designed for year-round use. The kit includes a means to accelerate the maturation of compost in a volume of 40 liters. | 67002 rubles |
Composters for summer cottages and for home will help not only to use waste for themselves, but also to reduce the amount of harm caused to nature. For rural residents and summer residents, this is also a win-win investment in the development of their economy, making a profit from the garbage lying under their feet. With a minimum of costs, the owner of such gardening equipment receives a double benefit: it reduces the cost of purchasing fertilizers and frees up his site from waste and debris. We hope that our review will help you not to make mistakes when choosing the right product.
