If you’re looking to start composting at home, congratulations!
It’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
But before you start throwing your food scraps into a pile in the backyard, there are a few tools you’ll need!
Here is a list of some of the most common and useful composting tools –
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Must-Have Tools for Composting
These are some of the most common and important tools you need for composting
1. Spades and Shovels
Spades and shovels are important tools for composting because they help aerate the compost pile, which is essential for the decomposition process.
Without adequate aeration, the compost pile will become anaerobic and smelly.
Spades and shovels also help mix different types of organic matter together, which is another key element in creating rich, nutrient-dense compost.
There are several types of shovels available –
A pointed-blade shovel has a sharp, pointed blade that is great for digging into hard or compacted soils. They are also good for breaking up clumps of soil and roots.
A rounded-blade shovel has a rounded blade that is great for scooping and moving large amounts of loose materials like sand, gravel, or snow. They are also good for leveling off surfaces.
A square-blade shovel has a flat, square blade that is great for transferring materials from one area to another, such as onto a dump truck or wheelbarrow.
2. Garden forks
Garden forks are used for turning over soil, as well as aerating and loosening compacted soil.
They can also be used to mix compost into the soil.
Forks with longer tines are better for looser soils, while those with shorter tines are better for denser soils.
Garden forks can also be used to turn compost piles, which helps aerate the material and speeds up the decomposition process.
Its no wonder that gardens forks also come in various types –
Pitch fork is a gardening tool with long, sharp tines that are useful for turning over soil, aerating soil, and moving mulch or compost.
Digging fork is a gardening tool with shorter, sharper tines that are useful for breaking up hardened soil and digging out weeds.
Manure fork is a gardening tool with long, sharp tines that are useful for moving manure or other compost materials.
3. Hoes
Hoes are one of the most versatile tools in gardening and can be used for a variety of tasks.
One common use for hoes is to loosen or turn over the soil before planting. This allows the roots of plants to more easily penetrate the soil and results in a healthier plant.
Hoes can also be used to remove weeds from garden beds.
The sharp blade of a hoe makes it easy to cut through weed roots, making weed removal a much simpler task.
In addition to their use in gardens, hoes can also be used in composting.
Turning compost piles regularly is important for aerating the material and promoting decomposition. Hoes make it easy to turn compost without having to get your hands dirty.
A garden hoe is a tool used in gardening for digging, weeding, and aerating soil. It is also used to remove dead leaves and debris from the garden.
A warren hoe is a type of hoe that is specifically designed for use in warrens, or areas where rabbits live. A stirrup hoe is a tool that is used to stir up soil or compost.
4. Leaf Rakes
Leaf rakes are a great tool for gardening and composting.
They help break up clumps of dirt and debris, making it easier to turn over soil and aerate the roots of plants.
Additionally, they can be used to collect leaves and other organic matter for composting.
When using a leaf rake in the garden, be sure to rake lightly so as not to damage delicate plant roots.
5. Wheelbarrow
A wheelbarrow is typically used for carrying gardening supplies or other small loads.
A garden cart is a larger hand-powered vehicle with either two or four wheels that can be used for carrying larger loads.
Both wheelbarrows and garden carts can be used for composting, as they provide an easy way to transport organic materials to and from the compost pile.
When using a wheelbarrow or garden cart for composting, it is important to line the bottom of the container with cardboard or another breathable material to prevent compaction and allow air circulation.
6. Buckets & Pails
You cannot imagine gardening without buckets and pails!
Buckets are useful for carrying small amounts of water or other liquids (pesticides, liquid fertilizers), as well as soil and other gardening materials.
Pails can be used to carry larger quantities of these materials. Tubs can be used for soaking plants, storing gardening tools, or holding rainwater.
Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
Buckets and pails can be used to collect yard waste and kitchen scraps for composting. Tubs can be used to store finished compost.
7. Tarps
A tarp is a large, heavy-duty piece of fabric, often made of canvas or polyester, that is used for a variety of purposes.
Tarps are commonly used to cover and protect objects or areas from the elements, such as rain, snow, and sun.
If you live in a region with rough weather conditions, this can be of great use.
They can also be used to catch and contain debris, such as leaves and twigs.
In the case of composting, you need it to cover the compost pile and save from external factors.
8. Slings
Slings are narrow strips of fabric that are used to secure tarps or other materials in place.
Slings can be made of any type of fabric, but they are typically made of nylon or polyester.
They are wrapped around the object or area to be covered and then tied in place.
9. Garden Knives
Garden knives are versatile tools that can be used for a variety of gardening tasks, from weeding and transplanting to harvesting fruits and vegetables.
Composting is another great use for garden knives, as they can be used to chop up organic matter into smaller pieces, making it easier for the compost to break down.
10. Metal snips
Metal snips are a type of cutting tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, including trimming plants, cutting through tough plant material, and even cutting metal wire.
Wire cutters are another type of cutting tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, including cutting through metal wire and plant material.
11. Scissors & Shears
When it comes to gardening, scissors and shears are two of the most commonly used tools.
Scissors are generally used for cutting small pieces of vegetation, such as flowers and herbs, while shears are better suited for larger tasks, such as trimming hedges.
Composting is another common use for both scissors and shears.
When cutting up the organic matter for compost, scissors can be used to snip smaller pieces, while shears can be used to chop larger chunks.
12. Hand scythe
A hand scythe is a gardening tool that is used to cut grass and weeds.
It is also used to chop down small trees and shrubs.
The blade of the hand scythe is sharp and can be used to cut through tough plants. The handle of the hand scythe is long and can be used to reach high places.
A hand scythe is a versatile tool that can be used for many different purposes in the garden.
13. Mattock
A Mattock is a large hoe with a heavy metal head and a long handle.
It is used for breaking up soil and aerating the soil in gardens.
A Pulaski is a tool that has a mattock head on one end and an axe head on the other. It is used for chopping through roots and clearing brush in gardening.
14. Lawn Edger
A lawn edger is a tool that is used to create a clean and sharp edge along the perimeter of a lawn.
This tool can be very beneficial when it comes to gardening and composting.
Having a clean and sharp edge along the perimeter of your lawn, it will make it easier for you to maintain your garden beds and compost piles.
Additionally, a lawn edger can also help to improve the overall appearance of your yard by creating clean lines and borders.
15. Aerating tools
Aerating tools are often used in gardening and composting in order to improve aeration within the soil.
This can be beneficial as it can allow for better drainage, increased root growth, and enhanced microbial activity.
Further, aerating tools can also help to reduce compaction within the soil.