We wrote this guide to help you pick the right composting equipment so that you can quickly generate that rich, filled with nutrients, dark compost that is so good for your garden. You might ask yourself do I pick a compost bin or a more expensive compost tumbler. Should I get a compost keeper for my kitchen? What is a compost keeper? What size composter should I get? Relax, composting is easy! Read on and we will help you pick the equipment that is right for you and your needs!

Why should I compost?

Composting is the right thing to do! Know why? It helps the environment by reducing methane gases produced from oxygen-starved landfills AND it is very rewarding for homeowners and garden enthusiasts, alike. Instead of sending good organic matter to a landfill, transform it to a useful additive to fertilize your garden OR give some to a friend.

What do I compost?

Food scraps, coffee grounds and filter, shredded news paper, grass clippings, leaves from your yard. A lot of things can be composted instead of sending it to a landfill. See a more complete list of what you can send to the composter.

How do I develop my own Home Composting Program?

First, consider what equipment to buy. This will depend upon your lifestyle. Relax, composting is easy!

If you live in a house with a yard - start by looking where you will put your composting bin. How much space you can spare for the unit? This will help you decide on the size and type of composter. Consider putting it somewhat close to your house so that it does not become inconvenient to fill your composter.

Composters come in different sizes and models. We recommend models that can be rotated. This makes it easy to aerate your compost, which is critical for fast compost making AND it also reduces back strain caused from turning a compost pile with a pitch fork. If you are looking to “hide” the unit in your yard we can recommend the Compact ComposTumbler. It blends in perfectly with smaller bushes and shrubs and it is one of our best sellers.

Also, decide if you want a one or two chambered composter. The two chambered composters are slightly more expensive, but it allows you to use the compost in one chamber while you make compost in the second chamber. Or you can purchase 2 units if you have the space. You can always use the compost!

If you have a small yard, consider a compost bin or the smaller Back Porch tumbler.

If you live in an apartment or a townhome - Just because you don’t have a big yard does not mean that you cannot make perfect compost! Get a small rotating composter like the Back Porch tumbler or one of our smaller composting bins. They do not use that much space. If you don't have any outdoor space a worm bin works great for indoor composting!

The next purchase is an inside “compost keeper”. This is a convenient container to store your food scraps and other small organic matter so you will only have to deposit the scraps to your composter once a week or when the keeper is full. Do yourself a favor and get one! It saves a lot of time and makes composting even easier. You can buy an attractive ceramic one or a simpler plastic one. Oh, and don’t worry about any smell -- it has a carbon filter on the lid. Just remember that it should be emptied and rinsed out once a week.

Here are some tips from CompostingMatter -

• Shred those bills and other sensitive information and send it to the composter!
• Get a “compost keeper” where you can conveniently store food scraps in your house and make a deposit to the composter when the keeper is full.
• Keep your compost bin close to your house so that it is convenient.
• Get the biggest composter you can afford, especially if you have large trees on your property or can get fall leaves from your neighbors.
• Talk to everyone in your household and make sure that everyone is informed and understand the importance of composting

Happy Composting