All about home composters

In today's world, people are increasingly choosing natural products without the addition of any chemicals. This also applies to fertilizers, which should also be as natural and high quality as possible. To get them at home, most often they use special devices - for example, a home composter.

The devices are called composters or simply household food waste bins. Such devices help to save money not only on garbage disposal, but also on the purchase of fertilizers. Various things can be put into the composter, for example, it can be:

• eggshell;
• seed husks;
• peel from fruits or vegetables;
• fallen leaves;
• dry hay or grass;
• thick coffee or tea;
• clipping newspapers.

It is strictly forbidden to place in the composter:

• plastic products;
• cigarette butts;
• multi-colored paper products;
• plants that have been treated with pesticides;
• fish or meat waste;
• milk products.

To get good quality compost, you need to follow some rules. First of all, it is necessary to maintain a sufficiently high level of humidity inside. To speed up fermentation will require a constant supply of oxygen. The composter must be warm in order for the compounds to break down. In addition, each device must have a cover, several holes for ventilation, as well as for the escape of excess liquid.

There are several types of composters, which differ from each other not only in volume, but also in the principle of operation. Such devices can be apartment or garden, electrical or automatic. As for the mini kitchen composter, its contents are perfect for feeding flowers on windowsills. If there is a summer cottage, then the contents can be transported there and used to fertilize the beds. In addition, these composters can be used all year round. In addition to all this, composters differ from each other in their principle of operation.

The action of such a household appliance is more reminiscent of the principle of operation of a thermos. The processing process takes place when exposed to high temperatures. The inside of the composter is kept warm.

This device is different from other composters. The process of decomposition of waste occurs with the help of earthworms. The container has several trays, into which waste is placed. Then worms are launched into them, which process waste into vermicompost. However, such a composter has one drawback, which is the crushing of very large waste.

With its appearance, such a device is very similar to a plastic bucket. Waste is initially piled into it, and then a special liquid is poured from above, which contains a large number of microorganisms. As a result, fermentation takes place in the composter.

If we talk about the design features of composters, they can be of the classic or drum type. The first ones are made in the form of a box or a large barrel with a lid. Any plant debris is put in them. Most often, their volume is 500-700 liters. In addition to all this, classic designs are divided into open and closed.

1. Open devices are usually only used during the warm season. Plus, they fold easily when needed. The disadvantage of such models is the appearance of an unpleasant odor, as well as a long fermentation period.
2. Closed fixtures are much more convenient to use. Their use is possible throughout the year. In addition, waste processing in them is very fast. Their only drawback is the high price.

Many companies are involved in the production of composters. The most popular among them are the following brands.

This homemade vermicompost can be easily found in Russia. Its principle of operation is to use earthworms, which process waste into vermicompost. Manufacturers recommend putting from 1 to 5 thousand worms in it. The assembled structure only takes up 0.5 meters of space. The body is made of black plastic. The set includes 3 trays, a pallet with a tap, a mud sump, a briquette of coconut fiber, a special ventilation system, and a cover that will protect against infestation of flies.

Another composter from Tumbleweed manufacturers. It is not too big, it has only two trays. The principle of operation is the same as in the previous version.

The design is made by American manufacturers. The kit includes 5 trays that can hold 5 kilograms of worms. They can recycle 2-3 kilograms of waste in one day. In addition to the trays, there is also a briquette of coconut fiber, a thermometer, and a special ventilation lid.

The automatic composter of this brand has a high price and is also very easy to use. The work comes from the network. It can hold up to 7 kilograms of waste. Such a composter can process about 50 kilograms of waste per month.

If the owners want to buy a device a little easier, then the K100 composter is suitable for them. It is a construction made in the form of a bucket, with a special tap for removing excess liquid. Such a device can easily fit about 19 kilograms of waste. The processing takes place as a result of a special organic substance "bokashi", which is included in the composter set.

This device is a small basket that can be attached to the kitchen cabinet door. To dispose of waste, they must first be wrapped in a paper towel or newspaper and only then thrown into the basket by twisting the handle a little. Debris immediately ends up in the lower compartment. The set includes special biodegradable bags that not only eliminate odors, but also make cleaning the composter much easier. Complete decomposition of waste occurs within 1 month.

Deciding on the choice of a composter is not so difficult. You need to take into account the most important factors in everyday life. For example, a small model that has a lid is more suitable for an apartment. But for summer residents, you can already pick up something more interesting. If a person is not limited in funds, then you can purchase industrial composters, which have very interesting shapes. Some of them are made in the form of a stone, some in the form of a mound. If funds are limited, then the composter can be made independently from available tools. Those who want to get fertilizer quickly should turn their attention to the EM composter.

Almost all food waste is a very valuable organic fertilizer. However, when they go to landfills, they start to rot and then end up in groundwater. They also give off harmful landfill gas. To prevent this from happening, you can fertilize at home with a composter. Such fertilizers can be used in different ways.For example, you can prepare seedling soil from them. This requires only 100 grams of compost to dissolve in 1 bucket of soil. After that, this mixture must be left to ripen for 2 weeks, and then the seeds must be sown into it.

In addition, compost can be added to the holes when planting potatoes. It is enough to add one handful to each well. Also, this fertilizer contributes to the rapid formation of humus.