Grove Meadows

Composter Garden

Composting Will Help You Achieve A Great Tasting Harvest

If your home grown fruit and vegetables do not taste quite as delicious as you hoped and your flowers are not as brilliant as desired then maybe you need to look at your soil.

It's well known that one of the greatest assets in your garden can be the addition of compost to the soil to produce the wonderful crops you dseire. The benefits of healthy soil will turn your garden into an oasis of desirable plants; you will be assured of a rewarding experience in your backyard and a successful harvest.

However, it's not good enough to just buy topsoil from the local garden centre as a quick fix and think, Oh! That's easy! Mother Nature is more demanding than that. Even if you have a bottomless wallet its just not feasible to keep buying topsoil, after all, you're just buying what the garden centre recommends, which still needs looking after anyway. As with everything, if you don't put in, you won't get out.

So to keep your soil in top shape you need to be able to understand its needs, and how to keep it healthy, and then, and only then, will you reap the rewards your hard work deserves. There's no rocket science involved here, just simple procedures which will make gardening easier and very rewarding.

Unfortunately, these days it seems that society in general has become very wasteful. Daily we read stories that our planet is under threat because of this. It's been reported that in the US alone, garden and food scraps make up 30% of the waste stream. Now there's no better place to address this than in your own backyard; in reality what this means is that a large portion of your garbage can be recycled and reused as fertilizer for your garden.

Instead of dumping your families' biodegradable waste into the garbage bin and sending it off to landfill, or water treatment facilities, you can compost it and divert it on to your own garden in the form of valuable humus, which is a wonderful food for our plants and flowers. Another great benefit of home composting is that it will save you money as you won't need to buy fertilizer.

First of all diagnose what soil you have and its deficiencies, as its condition will reflect on how well your plants will grow. Nutrients in the garden soil are most readily available to plants at a pH neutral range of around 6-7 so you should aim to get your garden soil to this level and keep it in this range. To help diagnose your soils health you can buy an easy to use inexpensive pH test kit from your nursery or hardware store and do your own test. Amendments can then be added to the soil to achieve this neutral pH reading.

Sandy, Clay or Loam are the three basic types of soil, with loam being the ultimate choice as it allows good drainage and aeration, so that your plants roots have a good supply of necessary oxygen. Now the cheapest and most beneficial way to obtain the loam you desire and to keep your soil healthy lies in your decision to recycle your kitchen and garden waste.

First choose the best alternative for your situation, taking into account your budget, the location of your composting site and making sure your neighbors are given some consideration.

The various ways of making compost include making a pile in some out of the way corner of your garden, using a container or bin or buying some worms to help with the process of breaking down the kitchen and garden waste. I prefer to use a compost bin as they are very easy to use and come in a large range of types and sizes to suit most budgets and landscapes. You'll find they perform better out of the wind and direct sunlight and directions on how to use compost bins usually accompany them.

At the end of the process, which should take about 6-8 weeks in an average size compost bin, you should have rich brown crumbly compost with a pleasant earthy smell. This is then used to enrich the soil by digging it into the garden beds. This is forever ongoing, so you will be able to use the proceeds from your kitchen and garden waste to keep your soil healthy and in return for your labor will be rewarded with great tasting fruit and vegetables. What a great way to save the planet.

About the Author

Colin Price has been very successful in all types of gardening over many years. Find more infomation on home composting and how you can take advantage of his knowledge and success and create your own beautiful and productive garden at => http://www.OutdoorAndGarden.com

110-gallon Composter $103.03 Make composting easy with a 110-gallon composterGarden accent composts vegetables, fruit and garden wasteComposter's dark color absorbs heat and air slots supply optimal ventilation

90-gallon Composter $89.99 The composter performs its task: composting vegetable, fruit and garden wasteThe sun's heat is absorbed thanks to the composters dark color Composter recycling process adds a great addition to your garden decor

160-gallon Composter $152.99 Handy composter can be tucked away in a corner of the gardenGarden accent composts vegetable, fruit and garden waste160-gallon composter has a discreet shape and color

ComposTumbler Back Porch Composter $249.99 The Back Porch ComposTumbler has turning grooves that let you grip the drum to turn it. The combination of an aerator/drainage unit on the bottom of the composter and screened side vents makes sure your compost gets the proper amount of oxygen.

Algreen 45-gallon Terra Composter $148.99 The Algreen Composter combines the elegance of ceramics with the durability of plasticsThis 200-liter composter is constructed of roto-molded plasticEnvironmentally-friendly rain barrel will not chip, fade or crack over time

Lifetime Black Compost Tumbler $229.99 The Lifetime domposter is designed with black, double-walled panels to absorb and retain the heat that decomposes the material. The lightweight 80-gallon tumbler easily turns on its axis for balanced rotation saving you the time and effort.

170-gallon Composter $143.99 170-gallon composter is great for composting vegetable, fruit and garden wasteThe sun's heat is absorbed thanks to the dark colorAir slots ensure enough ventilation to optimize the composting process

Earthmaker Composter $197.03 Make composting easy with an Earthmaker ComposterSleek design allows composter to fit in any gardenGarden composter is an efficient means of disposing domestic organic waste

CompostBinz Composter $199.99 The CompostBinz has a patented venting system to maintain proper temperature, plus an animal resistant lid. The upper side panels of the composter slip off, making it easy to stir and mix the pile and when compost is ready.

Algreen 45-gallon Terra Composter $145.99 The Algreen Composter combines the elegance of ceramics with the durability of plasticsThis 200-liter composter is constructed of roto-molded plasticEnvironmentally-friendly rain barrel will not chip, fade or crack over time

ComposTumbler Compact Composter $379.99 This composter is perfect for the home gardener. The ComposTumbler features am excellent design that can compost in 10-14 days.

ComposTumbler Original Composter $551.49 The original ComposTumbler was developed as a hot composter for faster decomposition of materials. With aerator features, easy turning and an 18-bushel capacity, this composter is perfect for your your yard.

ComposTumbler 2-chamber Composter $799.99 The two chamber design of this composter allows you to continually add waste, and the internal mixing pins help to properly mix new compost materials with old.

Organic Gardening for Kids (Reinforced Hardcover) $28.45 Introduces organic gardening, covering sun, water, soil, plants, and composters.

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Weatherproof Vinyl Composter $279.95 Tired of your compost bin decomposing? You will never have to replace another compost bin again once you buy the heavily constructed Duratrel composter. It is made from attractive but Heavy-duty virgin PVC and its the perfect way to make compost because our bin never rots or peels. Angled slats remove easily to rotate or remove compost. Weather resistant and will not rust. 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" Reinforced Rails 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" Removable Front 20 Year Warranty Dimensions 3' wide x 3' long x 3' Ships within 48 hours -- Low Price Guarantee

160-gallon Composter $152.99 *Handy composter can be tucked away in a corner of the garden *Garden accent composts vegetable, fruit and garden waste *160-gallon composter has a discreet shape and color *Sun's heat is absorbed thanks to the dark color *Air slots ensure enough ventilation to optimize the composting process

Earthmaker Composter $201.23 *Make composting easy with an Earthmaker Composter *Sleek design allows composter to fit in any garden *Garden composter is an efficient means of disposing domestic organic waste *Patented 'continuous cycle composting' makes it easy to add new waste at the top while removing mature compost at the bottom *Material is held above ground during the mixing and digesting stages *Heat generated during decomposition draws air up though the holes on the shelves allowing the decomposed material to spill from shelf to shelf

90-gallon Composter $91.91 *Tucked away in a corner of the garden with its discreet shape and color the composter performs its useful task: composting vegetable, fruit and garden waste *The sun's heat is absorbed thanks to the composters dark color *Composter recycling process adds a great addition to your personal garden decor *Air slots ensure enough ventilation to optimize the composting process *Assembly Required Imported

170-gallon Composter $143.99 *170-gallon composter is great for composting vegetable, fruit and garden waste *The sun's heat is absorbed thanks to the dark color *Air slots ensure enough ventilation to optimize the composting process *Easily tucks away in a corner of your garden with its discreet shape and color *Composter measures 33 inches wide x 33 inches deep x 44 inches high

110-gallon Composter $105.23 *Make composting easy with a 110-gallon composter *Garden accent composts vegetables, fruit and garden waste *Composter's dark color absorbs heat and air slots supply optimal ventilation *Measures 30 inches wide x 30 inches deep x 34 inches high

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Bamboo Composter $59.99 4.5Qt4.3L Attractive ecofriendly sustainable bamboo looks good on kitchen countertop. Easy organic recycling store peelings egg shells coffee ground loose tea herbs flowers fruit and vegetable scraps for transfer to you garden composter. Includes dual odor preventing filter set in lid. Easily carry with large strudy handle. Removable 3.5Qt3.3L liner with handle for easy cleaning.

CompostBinz Composter $204.26 The CompostBinz has a patented venting system to maintain proper temperature, plus an animal resistant lid. The upper side panels of the composter slip off, making it easy to stir and mix the pile and when compost is ready, simply slide the bottom door panels off for easy, mess-free dispersal. *Create more fertile soil and stimulate healthy root growth in plants by simply adding compost to your garden beds *Black color of plastic is designed to absorb and retain heat to accelerate the composting process *Modular design lets you grow the unit to any size by going side by side *Will not fade, crack, or rust *Vented, diagonal side panels allows proper moisture and ventilation for decomposition *Convenient lift-off cover protects pile from rainwater, helps maintain heat and keeps animals out

Achla Spinning Horizontal Composter $189.99 This Achla Spinning Horizontal Composter(CMP-05) offers continuous composting for kitchen scraps and garden cuttings. With the Achla Spinning Horizontal Composter, compost material is discharged in 3-4 weeks. What does the Achla Spinning Horizontal Composter offer that sets if apart from the rest? Sliding Door The plastic sliding door feature of the Achla Spinning Horizontal Composter allows for easier access to composted materials. Large Capacity: The Achla Spinning Horizontal Composter has a capacity of 7 cubic feet. Reduced Household Costs: Achla Spinning Horizontal Composter offers a free fertilizer source, healthier garden plants from compost nutrients, and lower water bills due to better water retention in compost-mixed soil Eco-Friendly: Achla Spinning Horizontal Composter is environmentally friendly and reduces your carbon footprint. This easy to use system reduces trash and waste send to landfills while countering pests.

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Bio-Drum Garden Composter 50 Gal $349 -->Bio-Drum Garden Composter CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) The Best Way To Compost Our NEW Garden Composters incorporate our patented double drum Autoflow design. With Autoflow, material goes in the top and compost exits out the end as the drum rotates. The 200 is the smallest of the three composters excellent for composting kitchen scraps and a few cut up garden trimmings. The 400 is a continuous composter designed for composting kitchen scraps and a cut up materials from small garden. Features: 200 Model Height: 31" 200 Model Depth: 24" 200 Model Overall Length: 33.5" 200 Model Product weight: 38 lbs 400 Model Height: 36" 400 Model Depth: 28" 400 Model Overall Length: 42" 400 Model Product weight: 60 lbs Pest resistant No waiting for compost batches to finish Compost discharges automatically Compost is removed by opening output port Drum is rotated using four finger friendly slots 200 Drum Capacity: 195 Liters (50 gallon) 400 Drum Capacity: 366 Liters (100 gallon) Easy loading and turning of the composter Ships Quickly!

Bio-Drum Garden Composter 100 Gal $449 -->Bio-Drum Garden Composter CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) The Best Way To Compost Our NEW Garden Composters incorporate our patented double drum Autoflow design. With Autoflow, material goes in the top and compost exits out the end as the drum rotates. The 200 is the smallest of the three composters excellent for composting kitchen scraps and a few cut up garden trimmings. The 400 is a continuous composter designed for composting kitchen scraps and a cut up materials from small garden. Features: 200 Model Height: 31" 200 Model Depth: 24" 200 Model Overall Length: 33.5" 200 Model Product weight: 38 lbs 400 Model Height: 36" 400 Model Depth: 28" 400 Model Overall Length: 42" 400 Model Product weight: 60 lbs Pest resistant No waiting for compost batches to finish Compost discharges automatically Compost is removed by opening output port Drum is rotated using four finger friendly slots 200 Drum Capacity: 195 Liters (50 gallon) 400 Drum Capacity: 366 Liters (100 gallon) Easy loading and turning of the composter Ships Quickly!

Earthmaker Aerobic Composter $222.2 Exaco - Garden Power - The Earthmaker was designed in New Zealand as a better way to make compost out of common everyday waste. The composter uses a patented three-step continuous cycle to allow users to add new compost to the top of the composter without disturbing the finished material at the bottom. To accomplish this, the material is held on shelves above ground level during the mixing and digesting stages. As the material decomposes is loosens and moves to a lower level. The Earthmaker is the World's first continuous cycle compost bin, producing 10 gallons + of compost each month. 3-chamber composter for faster results Three stage processing Keeps fresh waste and maturing compost separate Better aerobic action - less flies and greenhouse gases Large door at bottom to remove compost Secure swiveling door at the top - keeps animals out Twice as fast as regular compost bins Composting tool included 124 gallon capacity Click here for the assembly guide Benefits of composting! Guide to composting

RTS Composter Converter Base Plate $25 Are you trying to do your part for the environment? The RTS Composter Converter Base Plate (5550-000101-8000) works with your Composter Converter to offer an easy way to be eco-friendly and enrich the soil in your garden at the same time! The Composter Base Plate is an add on to the Composter Converter. It lifts the converter off of the ground, helping to increase ventilation and drainage for faster decomposition. It also helps to restrict access by vermin. The Base Plate fits the 5550-000100 series, both black and green models. It is constructed of a strong, recycled plastic. Eco-Friendly: Reduce your waste with this recycled plastic base plate More Efficient Composting: Increased ventilation and drainage while restricting access to vermin

Wibo Composter 110 Gallon $84.95 110 Gallon Wibo Composter CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) Grow Organic The Eco Friendly German made Wibo Composter helps grow delicious fruits & vegetables, flowers and plants in nature's richest and most natural soil medium, composted organic plant matter. Perhaps the best composter on the market today, this garden worker breaks downCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) plant material from both your kitchen and your garden. Features: Made from Polypropylene plastic which is copolymer based Will not break in cold weather Capacity: 110 Gallons (17.11 cubic feet) Dimensions: 30"L x 30"W x 34"H Weight: 19 lbs Comes in 5 panels ready to assemble. Easy assembly Removable access doors in all 4 sides Lid opens straight up and stays up Functional lid "grabbers": 2 set on each side panel The access door can be placed above opening The corner clips keep sides locked together Made in Germany Ships Quickly! An Exaco Trading Design EXACO USA Ltd. is a family owned company in Austin, Texas. The company has been a supplier to major home centers for 17 years and prides itself on its relationship with a sheltered workshop in Austin that provides jobs for persons with mental disabilities. Exaco greenhouses are specially designed to extend the growing season, even in the middle of the winter. It is the only product of its kind available at such a reasonable price. Garden.com is also proud to present Exaco composters. Both are made of superior craftsmanship and design, in Germany.

Weatherproof Vinyl Deluxe Composter $279.95 Weatherproof Vinyl Composter CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) Tired of your Compost Bin Decomposing? You will never have to replace another compost bin again once you buy the heavily constructed Duratrel composter. It is made from attractive but Heavy-duty virgin PVC and its the perfect way to make compost because our bin never rots or peels. Angled slats remove easily to rotate or remove compost. Weather resistant and will not rust. 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" Reinforced Rails 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" Removable Front 20 Year Warranty Dimensions 3' wide x 3' long x 3' Ships Quickly! Brought to You by Dura-Trel Dura-Trel Offers Durability, Versatility, Reliability, and Quality Dura-Trel's line of lawn and garden compliments are an unbeatable and maintenance-free enhancement that will transform the outdoors from average to outstanding. As you would expect from a national corporation with over 25 years experience like theirs, Dura-Trel offers affordability, 20-year warranties, and easy to follow instructions. CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)

Spruce Eco Composter $120 Experts agree that home composting of organic kitchen and garden waste represents the lowest financial and environmental cost method of diverting bio wastes from landfill. This composter (ECO COMPOSTER), made from FSC Certified Canadian Spruce, has been Torrefied - thermo/chemical heat treated, giving you a product that lasts much longer and will not be prone to termite and insect attacks. Your specific composting time depends on your mix of materials, moisture of the compost, weather, etc. For the best results, we suggest using 75% dry ingredients (leaves, grass clippings, shredded newspaper) and 25% moist waste (vegetable scraps, dead flowers, etc). The composter will work with any blend of organic materials, but it may take longer to complete the process. The fact that this unit lacks a bottom only makes it easier for those helpful earthworms to access your compost. High-Quality Wood: The torrefied wood construction will last longer than similar units, and provides protections against termite attacks No Bottom: The lack of a bottom provides greater access to helpful composting insects Simple Assembly: This unit is just four side walls each bolted together with 2 bolts with wing nuts - no tools required

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Country Wood Composter $69.95 Country Wood Composter Bin Composting Basics Wood Compost Bin that is easily assembled by slotting the sections together. No tools are necessary. It holds up to 9 cubic feet of compost, standing 29 inches high and 24 inches square. It has an open top and air vents that make it ideal for composting. It is made in the USA of pressure-treated wood. Length: 24 Inches Width: 24 Inches Height: 29 Inches 9 Cubic Feet Capacity Ships Quickly! A Bosmere Design The Bosmere group has been established in the world of Home, Garden, and Leisure for over 25 years. It has been established in North America for over 15 years and serves Canada and Central and South America, as well. Bosmere is well known for quality products that include ample instructions and superior customer service.

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Sun-Mar 200 Garden Composter: S $331.55 Assembled H x W x D: 32 x 34 x 24'' The Sun-Mar 200 is a 6 bushel or 50 gallon continuous composter that is excellent for composting kitchen scraps and a few garden trimmings. This unit incorporates Sun-Mar’s patented double drum AutoFlow design. With Autoflow, material goes in the top and compost exits automatically out the end. As the drum rotates, compost moves along the outer drum and then back through the inner drum before dropping from the output port. *Compost discharges automatically *Pest Proof *No waiting for batches to finish *Fast and Odorless *Easy loading and turning * Solid construction -UV stabilized Poly-ethylene -100% recyclable *One Year Parts Replacement Assembly is easy! Because so few pieces are used the SUN-MAR 200 can be assembled in 2 minutes, the 400 in 5 minutes and the 600 in 15 minutes. Tell us how long it took you! Enhance your compost! Compost Swift is a specially formulated mixture of aerobic bacteria and enzymes designed to help speed compost activity in garden composters. Assembly Instructions 1) Remove the drum from its shipping position. 2) Snap the cradle into the drum bearings (big end first). 3) Snap 4'' bearing end in place. 4) Secure the drum in place with the drum cap. 5) Put optional rollers in place. Thats it! No fasteners are involved and the whole process can be done in under 2 minutes. Assembly Instructions Remove the drum from its shipping position. Snap the cradle into the drum bearings (big end first). Snap 4'' bearing end in place. Secure the drum in place with the drum cap. Put optional rollers in place. Thats it! No fasteners are involved and the whole process can be done in under 2 minutes. Operation of the 200 In the 200, material is added by sliding the input door open. To mix and aerate the compost, the drum is rotated using four finger friendly slots running along the outside of the drum. Compost is removed by opening the output port, rotating the drum and allowing compost to fall from the inner drum into a bushel basket or other container. The diagram shows how material moves into and along the outer drum. A scoop on the inner drum (not shown) collects material and pushes it along the inner drum, exiting through the output port. Specifications Drum Volume: 195 Liters (approx: 6 bushel or 50 gallon) Height: 31'' Depth: 24'' Overall Length: 33.5'' Product weight: 38 lbs Included with the SUN-MAR 200 Optional Rollers The unit has optional rollers, which can be snapped into the cradle base to make it easier to move the unit when it is on a hard surface. Sample Compost Swift The 200 has a sample bottle of Compost Swift which you can use diluted by 8 to 1 to help get your composter going. If you like it, there is a large 32 oz bottle available. Spare Parts You are unlikely to need them but we are including 2 spare vent plugs and one spare drum cap in case