Garden composter — which one to choose? Overview of the best views for the cottage (100 photos)
People who are engaged in the cultivation of garden and vegetable crops are concerned about the problem of their full and timely feeding. Garden composter will help to solve the problem simply and without much cost.
Compost consists of organic compounds and is an excellent fertilizer. Microorganisms contribute to the decomposition of accumulated waste. The compost includes:
- nitrogen;
- carbon;
- oxygen;
- moisture.
Nitrogen is found in green grass, tops, and food residues. All this can be stored to obtain fertilizer.
Carbon is formed in compost from dry organic residues: tree bark, straw, fallen leaves, sawdust, paper and cardboard. These components should be half as much as nitrogen-containing ones. Manure, peat, eggshells are also suitable as waste.
To form oxygen, you need to constantly mix the contents. It is necessary to make sure that the walls of the composter allow air to pass through. Compost must be constantly moistened. If it is dry, then it should be periodically watered with a hose.
All the constituent residues gradually rot, as heat is released as a result of the vital activity of microorganisms.
Weeds, diseased plants, synthetics, citrus fruit peel should not be used. Waste must be stored according to the rules.
General overview of garden composters
Different capacities can be used as compost storage devices. Since ancient times, various wooden devices have been made for this. They can be of various types and designs.
Composters from barrels were a common option. But since the appearance of such containers is not attractive enough, they were put somewhere far away in the depth of the site.
Currently, some gardeners continue to use budget options for composters. The easiest way is a compost pit up to 1 m deep. Care should be taken about the humidification system and ventilation of the contents.
Now a variety of compost storage designs have appeared on sale. They are more aesthetic and convenient to use. Their capacity allows you to accumulate up to 200 liters or more of valuable fertilizer. The quality of compost has also improved. In such containers, it has become more crumbly. See photos of different garden composters.
Industrial products have a longer service life, a well-thought-out air circulation mechanism. The containers are sealed, which contributes to the production of high-quality fertilizers.
Products for compost production have different costs. It depends on the material, volume, manufacturer. The cheapest composter can be purchased for 2 thousand rubles, and the most expensive one will cost 30 thousand.
A simple and inexpensive option is suitable for a summer cottage plot. For year-round use, you can buy a more expensive and practical model.
How to make a composter
You can buy a ready-made storage of organic material, and it is better to make a composter with your own hands. It won't take much time and will help you save money.
There are open or closed composters, that is, with or without a lid. For a plot of 6 acres in size, a capacity of 800 liters is suitable.
It is necessary to think over such an arrangement of the composter so that it can be approached from any side. The finished fertilizer will need to be carried around the site manually or transported by wheelbarrow.
The dimensions of the box can be different. You can make a square with sides of about 1 meter.
The question of what to make a composter from is not acute. Different materials are suitable for self-production.
The support posts are impregnated with an antiseptic against fungus and buried in the soil. The supports are sheathed with slate, boards, plastic, etc. with sheet material that is available. Attach the lid and the structure is ready for use.
Cottage composters are made by craftsmen from thin logs, from vines. It will be not only aesthetically pleasing, but also environmentally friendly.
In order for the fertilizer tanks to last longer, it is recommended to use short asbestos cement pipes for racks at the corners. Their base is better concreted. To accumulate moisture, the bottom is left earthen.
If it is not possible to make a composter with a lid, then you can cover the structure with a piece of plastic or other material. The compost container can consist of one, two or three sections.
How to choose a plastic composter
There is a large selection of plastic composters on sale. It is a high-strength material, it is resistant to temperature changes.
The composter is easy to use. It has a sealed bottom and a hatch with a lid. There are openings for ventilation. Waste is easily loaded into the box and also easily removed from it. Fertilizers are obtained of good quality.
Gardeners and gardeners can choose from different models. If it is supposed to process only food waste, it is better to buy a product with a volume of 200 liters. For a plot of 4 acres or more, we choose a volume from 800 to 1000 liters.
Pay attention to the size of the lid. Loading and unloading of the material, loosening is more convenient to produce, having a product with a large hatch.
Popular models are Thermo-king, Bulbeo imported. They are very convenient and practical. The German model has a insulated body, double-sided loading. There are summer and winter modes.
Bulbeo composter is made in Italy. It consists of separate modules. Waste can be loaded from several sides. The appearance of the products is attractive.
Domestic composters
The volnushka composter is in great demand among gardeners. This is a domestic cone-shaped model. The four sidewalls are bolted together. The volume of the product is 1000 liters.
The composter is made of propylene with wavy walls. The structure is easy to assemble and disassemble. The appearance of the product allows you to place it anywhere on the site. The compost in it turns out to be of good quality. The stores have a large selection of composters of different shapes and designs.
So, a useful accumulation of waste will help solve the problem of recycling and enrich the site with valuable fertilizer. It should be remembered that according to sanitary standards, composters should be located at a distance of 20 m from water sources and 10 m from residential buildings.
There are many options for making and buying garden products to obtain fertilizer. In favor of which composter to make a choice, decide for yourself.