Pick the right composting equipment with BareGreen

About this composting guide

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 the garden enthusiast.  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.  You can be proud of the fact that you made a difference to help slow global warming.

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 at the bottom of this guide.

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.  You can search our different composters by clicking this link BareGreen.  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. Click here for the different models to suite your lifestyle. 

• 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 composter like the Back Porch tumbler or one of our smaller composting bins. They do not use that much space.  

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 the smell -- it has a carbon filter on the lid.  Just remember that it should be emptied and rinsed out once a week.  Check out the different models we provide here BareGreen

Here are some tips from BareGreen -

• 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

Some composting facts from epa.gov

Composting organic materials that have been diverted from landfills ultimately avoids the production of methane and leachate formulation in the landfills.  Methane is about 21 times more powerful at warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2). Read more at epa.gov/methane/scientific.html 

What to Compost - The IN List 

• Animal (farm) manure
• Cardboard rolls
• Clean paper
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Cotton rags
• Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
• Eggshells
• Fireplace ashes
• Fruits and vegetables
• Grass clippings
• Hair and fur
• Hay and straw
• Houseplants
• Leaves
• Nut shells
• Sawdust
• Shredded newspaper
• Tea bags
• Wood chips
• Wool rags
• Yard trimmings

What Not to Compost - The OUT List and a reason why

• Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
  Releases substances that might be harmful to plants
• Coal or charcoal ash
  Might contain substances harmful to plants
• Dairy products (e.g., butter, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, yogurt)
  Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
• Diseased or insect-ridden plants
  Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants
• Fats, grease, lard, or oils
  Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
• Meat or fish bones and scraps
  Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
• Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)
  Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
• Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
  Might kill beneficial composting organisms

CONGRATULATIONS – you are helping reduce the effects of global warming AND making the world a healthier place to live.

If you have questions or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you…please contact BareGreen Inc here

THANK YOU AND HAPPY COMPOSTING!