Composting Supplies for Gardeners
Gardening Accessories to Help Make Organic Compost Quick and Easy
Oct 27, 2008
An ample supply of compost is necessary to a thriving organic garden, but sometimes a home compost pile can’t keep up with the gardener’s need for humus. Although one doesn’t need fancy gadgets to create black gold for the garden, sometimes the compost pile needs a boost to attain maximum efficiency.
Compost Pail
A compost pail isn’t an essential part of the composting process, but the convenience of a kitchen compost bucket may encourage gardeners to save kitchen scraps when they don’t feel like making a trip to the compost bin. Compost pails come with replaceable charcoal filters that deter odors and exclude gnats from the scrap pile.
Compost Starter
Gardeners who never see steam wafting from their compost pile may consider adding a compost activator or compost accelerator product to their bin. The composition of these products vary, but most consist of a blend of a high nitrogen ingredient combined with hungry microorganisms that get to work breaking down yard and kitchen waste. A compost starter is especially useful for gardeners starting their first compost pile in the fall, when nitrogen-rich materials are scarce.
Compost Aerator
Without sufficient air, compost piles can become sour as anaerobic bacteria flourish and produce methane and ammonia compounds. A compost aerator can help organic gardeners introduce air pockets into the deepest parts of the compost pile, encouraging aerobic decomposition. A well-designed compost aerator is easier than using a shovel and better than using a broom handle, because a set of wings open as the gardener pulls the device from the pile, creating larger air passages than a simple pole would.
Compost Sifter
Some organic gardeners remain addicted to bagged compost because of its fine, fluffy texture. If this texture seems impossible to achieve when trying to compost such bulky items as corn stalks and broccoli stems, a compost sifter may be the answer to your composting needs.
Some commercial compost sifters resemble a metal sieve, while larger models consist of a wooden frame with a piece of mesh attached to the bottom. The larger models may rest on top of a wheelbarrow, allowing the gardener to catch finished compost materials for transport while returning bulky items to the bin for further decomposition. Use the finest compost for potted plants or as a seed starting medium.
Garden Chipper
A garden chipper or garden shredder is a luxury item for the organic gardener who wants to turn woody garden waste into compost in one season. A gas-powered chipper may be a necessity for the gardener who rakes up a bounty of carbon-rich leaves each fall, but laments the attached twigs that never seem to break down.
Compost Bin Cover
Freezing temperatures and arid climates are the enemies of an actively cooking compost bin. A compost bin cover can help the organic gardener remedy both of these compost saboteurs. Shop for a compost bin cover made of polyethylene plastic in a dark color that will absorb the sun’s heat. These covers are especially useful on smaller wire bins, which retain heat and moisture poorly.
If your compost bin is large or oddly shaped, you can achieve similar results with a large black plastic tarpaulin. Stake the tarp around the base of the compost bin so it won’t blow away on a windy day.
