After one season of spending a premium on bagged compost, most organic gardeners decide to invest in a home composting system. There are dozens of models in all price ranges, so it’s helpful to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular composting bins on the market before making a buying decision.
Tumbling Compost Bins
Of all the compost bin models, the novelty of the tumbler seems to attract the most attention. Tumbling compost bins feature a plastic or metal container mounted on a stand, with a crank handle that allows gardeners to mix the contents by tumbling the barrel on its stand.
- Advantages: Spinning composters take the labor out of mixing the compost. Frequent spinning helps material break down quickly, creating compost in a few weeks instead of months.
- Disadvantages: A rotating compost bin can be expensive, ranging from $150 to more than $400. Most tumbling compost models hold a relatively small amount of material, although the larger, most expensive models may have a capacity of 22 cubic feet. The design of tumbling compost bins means worms don’t have access to the contents, and can’t aid in decomposition or contribute worm castings.
Wire Compost Bins
Wire compost bins are the most simplistic composting models, made of heavy-gauge steel or aluminum mesh panels fastened with metal connectors.
- Advantages: Wire compost bins are very economical, making them an ideal starter bin for someone new to organic gardening. The low price also makes them an ideal choice as a second temporary catch area for fall leaves. Wire bins start at $20, and increase in price for multi-bin systems. Wire compost bins collapse for easy storage when you’re not using them.
- Disadvantages: Most wire compost bins only hold around 15 cubic square feet, so one bin probably won’t suffice as a stand-alone composting system. The large openings between the wires may cause small pieces of kitchen waste to fall out of the bin. Some gardeners don’t like the utilitarian appearance of wire compost bins.
Plastic Compost Bins
Organic gardeners can choose from many compost bin models constructed from sturdy plastic. Plastic composters are dark in color to absorb the sun’s heat, and they have lids to exclude rodent pests and excess rain. Plastic compost bins have ventilation holes to prevent the compost from turning sour, while access doors at the bottom of the bins allow gardeners to remove finished compost.
- Advantages: Plastic compost bins are attractive, and some models may even serve as a centerpiece in the organic garden. The rugged construction of plastic bins can hold wet scraps and grass clippings without cracking or bulging. A moderate price range of $100 to $300 makes it a good investment for most organic gardeners.
- Disadvantages: Gardeners may struggle to retrieve finished compost from the small access doors most plastic compost bins feature. Turning the compost is difficult if the bin almost full, as the gardener must exert a great deal of strength to mix the decomposing materials toward the bottom with the fresh scraps at the top of the bin.
