Choosing a Composter - Compost bins vs. Tumbling Composters
What type of composter do you need to start your compost heap? There are various ways to compost, depending on how much space you have, how much you're willing to spend, and how much labour you are willing to input:
- Compost Heap/Pile
- Compost bin
- Tumbling Composter
1. Compost Heap
Compost heaps require a sufficient amount of space and are most common in rural areas. Layers of green and brown material as needed. The layers will have to be turned periodically with a shovel, in order to properly aerate the entire pile.
2. Compost bin
A compost bin is handy for sub-urban or urban areas where limited space and small animals are a concern. Similar to how a compost heap is constructed, compost can be layered in the compost bin. The enclosed bin is usually designed to keep animals out.
A small shovel or turning tool can be used to turn the compost. However, turning the compost may be difficult when the compost bin is full. The gardener may need to exert a great deal of strength in order to mix the material at the bottom with the top.
3. Tumbling Composter
A tumbling composter is ideal for small spaces in sub-urban or urban areas and minimizes the need for manual labor. Tumbling composters are often raised, which keeps small animals out. They also come with a built-in mechanism that facilitates the entire tumbling process. However, tumbling composters often come at an additional cost, when compared to the traditional compost bin.
