What is the Best Type of Outdoor Compost Bin to Buy for Your Garden?
Feeding your garden with compost is one of the best ways to provide an organic garden with much-needed nutrients. And while you can buy compost at your local gardening center, there are several great reasons to make your own compost at home.
On top of helping your family reduce your food waste, composting at home is also good for the environment. And the good news is, it’s easy to get started! The first step to start making your own compost is to get a compost bin for your yard. Then, you can start adding in your own compostable material, like:
- Yard waste, like grass clippings and tree leaves
- Vegetable food scraps
- Compostable paper products, like newspaper
- Vegetarian animal manure
- Wood shavings and sawdust
But finding the right compost bin for your garden can be difficult if you’re a beginner. In addition to thinking about the type of compost bin you’ll need, there are several other factors to think about before you make your purchase. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about purchasing a bin for making compost at home so you can pick the best type of outdoor compost bin to buy for your garden.
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What is a Compost Bin?
Compost is a natural way to fertilize your garden without the need for chemical fertilizers. And the best part about using compost in your garden is that you can make it yourself! Creating compost is a great way to give your garden the nutrients it needs while also reducing your family’s food waste. That’s because you can add your food scraps to your compost bin, allowing it to be broken down into useful garden soil over time.
One of the best ways to create great compost for your at-home garden is with a compost bin. A compost bin is an enclosed container that houses your food and garden scraps as it transforms into compost. A bin can help speed up the composting process and keep unwanted pests from coming into your yard.
In addition to keeping your yard clear of debris, a bin also aids in the composting process. Most bins help regulate the temperature of the soil, as well as aid in improving moisture and oxygen levels. All these factors help break down the compostable materials more quickly.
Types of Compost Bins
There are a variety of outdoor compost bins to choose from. And the type of bin you need for your garden will depend on the amount of compost you need and how you’ll use your bin to make your own compost.
There are two basic ways to make compost using a bin:
- Continuous composting: These compost bins are designed to handle a variety of materials, including kitchen scraps and yard waste. Continuous composters get their name because the compost is generated gradually and continuously. To use a continuous composter, you place the compostable material in the top of the bin and the compost works its way to the bottom, where it can be removed. Continuous composters are best for someone looking for an easy composter that allows you to simply toss your compostable material in and close the lid.
- Batch composting: Batch composters use a tumbling action to mix the compostable materials together. When using this type of composter, you add a balanced mix of compostable ingredients to the bin and allow it to “cook” for a set period of time. Batch composters need to be turned once a day to mix the ingredients together as the compost is being made. This method takes a little more work, but it is a great option for gardeners who need homemade compost fast.
And in addition to types of compost bins, you’ll also need to consider how you plan to create your compost. When it comes to composting, there are two ways to make compost:
- Conventional composting, which involves mixing organic waste in the presence of moisture and air. The correct composting environment will allow microbes and fungi to decompose the material into a soil amendment for your garden.
- Worm composting, which uses worms to consume the organic waste in your compost bin and create compost in the form of castings. Using worms helps keep your compost bin aerated and mixed, without the need to stir or tumble your bin.
There are also two methods to consider when looking for the best compost bin for your garden:
- Stationary bins hold a large amount of compost in one stationary spot. When using a stationary bin, you typically add the compost to the top of the pile, then stir the ingredients occasionally to mix the new add-ins with the existing compost.
- Tumbling bins are sealed containers that are rotated to mix the compostable materials together. These bins are typically sealed drums with a handle on the side to allow you to easy turn the bin when you add new ingredients to the mix.
Compost Bin Factors to Consider
In addition to thinking about the type of compost bin you need and how you’ll make your compost for your garden, there are a few other factors to consider before purchasing a new bin. When looking for the best compost bin for your backyard garden, take these factors into consideration:
- Capacity. Knowing the amount of compost you’ll need for your garden is an important thing to consider when buying a new outdoor composter. When deciding on the capacity of your composter, it’s also a good idea to consider the amount of compostable material you’ll add to your composter on a regular basis.
- Size. Before buying a new compost bin, it’s important to know where you’ll put the bin. Take the time to measure the space so you know how large your compost bin can be.
- Shape. The shape of your compost bin is another factor to think about when selecting a new bin. Typically, stationary bins are rectangular or square in shape, making them a good choice for smaller areas. And tumbling bins are cylindrical in shape, requiring them to take up more space.
- Odor control. As your compost decomposes, it may put off an odor. A good composting bin will feature air vents or holes to allow for proper ventilation. Some composting bins also come with charcoal filters to help reduce odors coming from the bin.
Best Outdoor Compost Bins
After considering all the different factors to find the best outdoor compost bin, you’re ready to start searching for the perfect bin for your yard! These compost bins are great options for creating your own compost at home.
1) Tumbling Composter
Using a tumbling composter is a great way to quickly make compost for your garden. The tumbling design makes it easy to stir the compost without the need to dig into the compost pile by hand. Just place your tumbling composter in a sunny location, turn it a few times every few days, and you’ll have compost in as little as two weeks.
This 37-gallon composter features:
- Two separate composter chambers to create two different batches at the same time
- Aeration holes on the outside to reduce odor and promote oxygen circulation
- Inner fins to break up clumps inside the chamber
- Galvanized steel frame that is corrosion resistant
- Recycled polypropylene container that is contact safe.
2) Stationary Garden Composter
Another great way to create compost for your garden is with a stationary garden composter. This composting tower allows you to place your compostable materials in the top of the bin, shut the lid, and let the composter do all the hard work. The composter needs to be rotated periodically to ensure proper air circulation. After four to six weeks, you’ll be able to access your homemade compost at the bottom of the composter.
- A stationary garden composter comes with a variety of great benefits, including:
- Hands-off compost creation – compost works its way to the bottom of the composter without intervention from you
- Space for 110 US liquid gallons
- Opportunity to easily increase capacity with add-on containers
- Extra-large top opening to place large amounts of compostable materials inside
- UV inhibited plastic to protect the compost from UV rays
- Bottom door to easily remove cured compost
3) Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler
One of the drawbacks of using a compost tumbler is that you’re required to make just one compost batch per tumbler. But with this dual chamber compost tumbler, you can easily make two batches of compost at once. That means you can create a new batch of compost while your existing batch is cooking, allowing you to double the amount of compost you make for your garden.
To make compost with this model, just add your compostable materials to either chamber, slide the door closed, and turn the handle fiver or six times every few days. After four to six weeks, you’ll have rich, fertile compost to add to your garden.
This compact composter is made by MiracleGro and features:
- Internal mixing bars to help speed up the composting process
- 2 18.5-gallon containers with easy turn systems
- An external aeration system to promote oxygen circulation and reduce odors
- Tight locking sliding doors to keep animals out
- Rust proof powder coated stainless steel construction
4) Garden Wire Compost Bin
If simplicity is what you’re looking for in a compost bin, a wire compost bin is a great option. Wire compost bins allow you to contain your compost in a pile without housing it in an enclosed container. The wire helps air circulate throughout the compost freely, encouraging bacteria growth to create compost.
A wire compost bin is a great choice for DIY gardeners and includes these helpful features:
- Easy assembly, with no tools required to put it together
- Black powder coated heavy gauge steel wire construction to create a sturdy structure
- Anchor spikes for each corner to keep the compost bin in place
- Capacity for more than 22 cubic feet of compost
5) Worm Composting Bin
Using worms to aid in making your compost is a quick and easy way to create homemade compost for your garden. A worm compost bin allows you to add worms to your bin to help mix and maintain your compostable materials. Even if you’re new to worm composting, you’ll receive everything you need to get started with this compost bin. The purchase also includes a digital instructional manual with step-by-step instructions for setting up and maintaining your worm composting bin.
This worm composting bin comes with a variety of unique features, including:
- Four stacking trays to create different compost batches
- Accessory kit to help maintain your worm composting bin, including a thermometer, hand rake, and scraper
- Worm ladder to help the worms traverse through the compost bins
- Worm tea collector to create added nutrients for your garden
- Worm bedding materials to improve worm compost production
6) Steel Trash Can Composter
Creating a composter out of a trash can is a popular DIY project that many home gardeners love. But why do all that work when you can purchase a pre-made steel trash can composter for your garden? This useful composter is designed to withstand harsh weather and protect your compost from pests and rodents.
This basic composter features:
- Four legs to keep the can off the ground, assisting with air flow through your compost
- Wire handles to make the composter more portable
- Tight fitting lid to keep garden pests out of your compost
- Hot dipped in zinc to create a watertight seal and prevent rust
7) Extra Large Compost Bin
Whether you have a large yard with lots of debris that needs to be composted or you have a large garden that will need more compost, you may be in search of an extra large compost bin for your yard. This 190-gallon compost bin is a great option because it has a large capacity without taking up a ton of space in your yard. The BPA-free plastic construction ensure it will hold up through harsh weather, while also providing you with a sturdy place to make your compost.
This extra large bin has a variety of great features, such as:
- Air holes around the exterior of the bin to promote air circulation
- Ultraviolet protection to keep UV rays from damaging your compost
- Unique buckle design that makes construction a breeze
- Ground staples to hold the compost bin to the ground
- Easy to open bottom doors to remove compost and add it to your garden
8) Back Porch Compost Tumblers
Most compost tumblers are too large to store in a compact location, which means they’re not a great choice for small yards. But this compact back porch compost tumbler is small enough to store on your porch or patio, making it perfect for small gardens. The full-enclosed tumbler is designed to eliminate odors and keep pests at bay.
This small tumbler features:
- Removable door for easy filling and dumping
- Air vent on the top to promote proper air circulation throughout the tumbler
- Drainage vents to reduce moisture inside the composter
- Interior fins to help mix the compost and remove clumps
- Mobile design with two wheels to easily move the composter around your yard
9) Double Bin Rotating Composter
Create two big batches of compost at once with the help of a double bin rotating composter. With two 50-gallon barrels, this large capacity composter is perfect for gardeners who are looking create big batches of compost quickly. You can easily load one barrel with composting material while the other barrel processes, ensuring you have an ongoing batch of compost cooking at all times.
This convenient composter comes with several handy features, including:
- A processing indicator so you can easily see which batch is processing
- Extra large removable lid for easy loading and removing
- Aerated internal bar to help stir and mix compost
- Spring loaded pin to lock rotation when you’re not turning your barrels
- Powder coated steel stand with high density polyethylene barrels providing all weather protection
- Unique tumbler design to make rotating your compost batches easier
10) Outdoor Vermicomposter
Get started with worm composting with this easy to use outdoor vermicomposter. Its three-level design features built-in mounds, which encourages the worms to move from collector trays to working trays. This design promotes ventilation and maximizes the worms’ performance. In addition to collecting compost from your bin, the included tap also allows you to drain worm tea from your composter for added benefits to your garden.
You’ll love all the unique features of this worm composter, like:
- A simple three-step setup that’s perfect for beginners
- Deeper feeding trays to help the worms break down the compostable elements faster
- Ventilated collector tray to promote proper air flow
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