How to Choose a Composter?
Before choosing a composter, first determine what amount of material your composter should hold. This mainly depends on the size of your garden, but also on how you use it. The required composter capacity is therefore not entirely easy to determine. Generally speaking, composters with a volume of up to 1 m3 are suitable for smaller gardens. For larger gardens over 1000 m2, a more spacious composting silo or multi-chamber composters are usually more appropriate.
Compost Quickly? Try a Plastic Composter!
Plastic composters are relatively inexpensive, efficient and yet don't look conspicuous in the garden. You can usually get them in black. If they have a well-designed ventilation system, using them will be a pleasure. Fertile compost is created in them up to 7 times faster compared to storage in an open heap. We have prepared plastic composters for you in several sizes. Plant material is poured in through the top lid, and the bottom door is used to remove finished compost.
Compost Even Faster? Reach for a Compost Accelerator!
If you're starting a completely new compost or simply want to give your compost a little boost and enjoy its "harvest" in the shortest possible time, look for a compost maturation accelerator. These are usually dried bacteria and enzymes. They must first be activated in lukewarm water, which you then pour onto the compost. Always carefully follow the instructions for use so that the compost activator serves you best. With regular use, compost can be ready in as little as 2-3 months. Other gardeners have particularly favored BIOPON Accelerator and Compost Accelerator Concentrate. But also take a look at other interesting products.
Composter as a Challenge for DIY Enthusiasts
If DIY is one of your hobbies, you can really go all out when making it. You'll most often make the composter enclosure from wood or used shipping pallets. You can also tackle building a brick composter or use concrete blocks or fence panels. Always think ahead about good ventilation and future easy operation. Compost in enclosures usually needs to be turned over from time to time, which is good to consider in advance. Turning will also be easier with the right tools. Pěstík can recommend practical GLADIATOR compost fork with ergonomically shaped handle and grip.
Compost Care and Where to Place It?
The basis of a proper composter is an open bottom, through which earthworms and other beneficial organisms get into the compost. They help with decomposition processes and enrich the resulting material. Always choose a shady location for compost, ideally in direct contact with the soil. A suitable location should also be easily accessible, for example with garden wheelbarrows.
Garden and kitchen plant waste that goes into the compost should always be cut into the smallest pieces possible. Unshredded material decomposes poorly. At the same time, compost should never dry out, but waterlogging isn't suitable either. In hot summer, it sometimes needs watering.
When Is Compost Ready?
Compost should not smell bad at all. A forest soil smell is normal. It has a dark brown to black colour and a structure similar to growing substrate with minimal undecomposed components. Sometimes it's advisable to sift the compost through a screen before use and return the remaining larger pieces of material back to the compost. Working finished compost into the soil is appreciated by practically every garden plant - flowers, shrubs and vegetables.
Pěstík's Tip!
If you have no idea about compost but want to give it to your plants, you can also buy ready-made garden compost in 40 l bags at Pěstík.