Composters: types and forms of use

We know what to compost and how to compost it. But what composter to use? Single phase, progressive, by compartments? And what happens if problems arise. Can I identify them, do I know why they occur? How do I solve it? We dedicate today’s post to answering all those questions.

 

DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPOSTERS. LEARN TO IDENTIFY AND FIX PROBLEMS IN COMPOSTING

Once we are clear about how to make compost , we must ask ourselves a series of questions such as, how much waste and compostable material can we accumulate at the same time, how much use are we going to give the compost (once or twice a year, several times a month…).

Once these types of issues have been considered, we have to choose what type of composting we are going to do. We tell you 5 basic types depending on the use and quantity:

COMPOSTING IN HEAP

The cheapest of all and with less complications in its construction (none). The drawback is that it is not viable for small domestic farms given its apparent disorder in addition to the space it occupies and the amount of waste to be composted. If this is not your problem then it is the simplest method. It begins by placing large branches or pallets at the base as a draining element. Next, alternate layers of waste are put on and finally, to protect it, we cover it with a layer of straw. The dimensions should not be more than 1.5m on a side by 1.5m in height.

DOMESTIC COMPOSTERS

Obviously if we are only going to have a few waste from our small orchard or garden, the waste generated daily in the kitchen etc, we will tend to this type of composter. They are not usually much larger than 1 m3. They can be bought from recycled plastic but there are cheap ways to make them that take some time but will save some money. In Gardenprue we have already told how to do them.

   

PROGRESSIVE COMPOSTERS

These could also be included within the domestic ones, albeit with some additional advantage. They are practical and easy to use since they come equipped with an upper lid and lower doors that allow us to add the different waste from the top and progressively remove the most decomposed and ready-to-use compost phases from the bottom. We can make use of a thermometer to control temperature during the process.

 SINGLE PHASE COMPOSTERS

This type of composter is usually used when we have large amounts of waste to compost at one time. These can be done on site for large quantities.

The way of operating with these composters begins by adding a first layer of compost already made that will serve as a starter ferment. Subsequently, alternate layers of dry material, wet material, thick material with fine material, old material with fresh material will be added.

In rainy places, it is advisable to add thick branches to the bottom that act as drains and avoid waterlogging.

We will have to regulate the humidity of the composter regularly, to water it if it dries up or add dry material and turn it over in case of excessive humidity.

THREE-COMPARTMENT COMPOSTERS

It is not actually a composter itself, but 3 composters together. It is a way of associating the processes of the 3 compartments so that we will have a sequential composting process. We are filling the first with the material to compost that we have available.

When it is full, we pour into the second the less composted upper part of the first, and we will add material until it is full. We do the same operation with the third. In this way we will always have usable compost and we will always be forming new.

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS IN THE COMPOSTING PROCESS

As we know, the composting process is influenced by numerous biotic processes, fermentations, decompositions, etc., carried out by a multitude of organisms . 

For this to occur correctly we must have certain conditions of temperature, humidity, oxygen that at some point could be excessive or insufficient, not getting the compost to form correctly.

For this we are going to give you possible symptoms, causes and solutions that we can find in our composting process.

 

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