Composters

About Composters

Composters are essential garden equipment that transform kitchen scraps, garden waste, and organic materials into nutrient-rich compost for improving soil quality. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range including traditional composting bins, innovative tumbling composters for faster decomposition, and specialised Bokashi kitchen composters that use fermentation to process food waste indoors. Whether you're a keen gardener looking to reduce household waste or a professional landscaper seeking sustainable solutions, quality composters offer an environmentally friendly way to recycle organic matter whilst creating valuable soil conditioner.

Modern composters have evolved significantly with advanced features like tumbling mechanisms for easier aeration, dual-chamber systems for continuous composting, and Bokashi systems that can break down meat, fish, and dairy products. Tumbling composters are particularly popular for their ability to produce finished compost in as little as 6-8 weeks compared to traditional bins which can take up to a year. MyToolShed stocks trusted brands including Hozelock and Draper, offering reliable, weather-resistant designs built to withstand the UK climate whilst delivering consistent results year-round.

Applications

Composters are valuable tools for a diverse range of users committed to sustainable waste management and soil improvement:

• Home gardeners and allotment holders producing organic compost
• Eco-conscious households reducing landfill waste and carbon footprint
• Professional landscapers and groundskeepers maintaining gardens and estates
• Garden designers specifying sustainable solutions for clients
• Market gardeners and small-scale growers producing vegetables commercially
• Community gardens and school projects teaching environmental responsibility
• Permaculture practitioners implementing closed-loop growing systems
• Local authorities managing green spaces sustainably
• Smallholders and hobby farmers recycling agricultural waste

Choosing The Right Composters

Capacity and Space: Assess your available garden space and weekly waste volume. Kitchen composters like Bokashi systems suit smaller properties and flats, whilst tumbling composters with 180-300 litre capacities are ideal for family gardens. Tumbling composters are raised off the ground, making them easier on your back when loading and unloading.

Speed of Composting: Traditional bins produce compost in 9-12 months, whilst tumbling composters reduce this to 6-8 weeks with regular turning. Bokashi systems ferment waste in just 2-3 weeks. If you need regular supplies of finished compost, consider a dual-chamber tumbler for continuous production.

Type of Waste: Standard composters handle vegetable peelings, garden waste, and paper products but struggle with meat, fish, dairy, and cooked foods. Bokashi composters excel at processing these problematic materials through fermentation, making them perfect for households wanting to compost all kitchen waste.

Build Quality: Choose UV-stabilised plastic or weather-resistant materials designed for year-round outdoor use. Check for robust hinges, secure latching mechanisms, and sturdy frames on tumbling models. Quality composters from established brands at MyToolShed.co.uk offer better longevity and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to produce usable compost?

Traditional static bins typically take 9-12 months, tumbling composters produce finished compost in 6-8 weeks with regular turning (every 2-3 days), and Bokashi systems ferment waste in 2-3 weeks, though the material needs further maturation. Warmer temperatures, proper green-to-brown ratios, adequate moisture, and regular aeration all accelerate the process.

Can I compost cooked food and meat scraps?

Standard garden composters should not be used for meat, fish, dairy, or cooked foods as these attract pests and create odours. However, Bokashi kitchen composters are specifically designed to ferment all food waste including these materials through an anaerobic process. The fermented waste can then be buried in garden soil or added to a traditional composter to complete decomposition.

My compost smells bad – what's wrong?

Unpleasant odours usually indicate anaerobic conditions from insufficient oxygen or too much moisture. Add more brown materials (cardboard, dried leaves) to absorb excess moisture and improve structure, then turn or rotate the contents thoroughly. If using a tumbling composter, increase rotation frequency. A properly maintained compost should smell earthy and pleasant.