Lawn and Garden

How to Use a Tumbling Composter

Updated: September 20, 2019 Eric Clark

Fresh Compost from a Mantis Compost Tumbler

Compost tumblers are quite effective at rapidly producing high-quality compost in a home garden environment, and are becoming more and more popular among today’s gardeners and sustainability advocates. They have many advantages over traditional ground-based compost bins or pits (see our article on Compost Tumblers vs Bins for more information). In order to understand the advantages and disadvantages of tumbling compost bins, it is crucial to have a good knowledge of how to use a tumbling composter to create outstanding organic compost.

Of course, each tumbling composter will have specific instructions, but the purpose of this guide is to inform users as to how to use compost tumblers, what to put in them and what to keep out, and some information on compost basics for beginners.

If you’re interested in purchasing a compost tumbler, be sure to check out our guide to the best compost tumblers for more information.

Best Rain Barrel Diverter! Downspout Diverter Reviews

Updated: May 1, 2019 Eric Clark

Best Rain Barrel Diverter

Using a rain barrel is an environmentally friendly water-saving solution. For many of us, it’s also very friendly on the wallet, as municipal water can be extremely expensive, and can be restricted or banned during times of drought by local governments. For this reason, rain barrels are a great solution to protect water quality and keep plants wet even in tough conditions. But the setup of a rain barrel can be complex, and a rainwater diverter is almost always required. After a thorough examination of several diverter systems, we have determined that the Best Rain Barrel Diverter is the Great America Save the Rain Diverter system [Amazon Link].

Save the Rain Water Metal Diverter - 2 x 3

The Save the Rain Diverter captures water from...
The ideal condition for the diverter is when the...
During the water collection season the diverter...
When you put your barrel away for the winter you...
Diverter opening: 2 x 3 in.

Last update on 2025-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Save the Rain Diverter has two sizes, one for 2″ x 3″ downspouts, and one for 3″ x 4″ downspouts. It routes 100% of rainwater to the barrel when enabled, and can be shut to completely bypass the rain barrel and run only down the downspout.

Installation is pretty easy and assuming your barrel has an overflow protection system, it is a great choice. [Read more…] about Best Rain Barrel Diverter! Downspout Diverter Reviews

FarmTek Greenhouse Reviews and Information

Updated: August 21, 2018 Eric Clark

Best FarmTek Greenhouse

Greenhouses have been around since the Roman era, and continue to be useful garden tools to help plants grow in a controlled environment, when regular weather just isn’t optimal. FarmTek, a Connecticut-based greenhouse and agricultural-product manufacturer, has plenty of greenhouses to choose from to suit a variety of needs. They range from mini greenhouses for back decks, to large outbuildings for the more serious gardener. All of FarmTek Greenhouse units are relatively easy to assemble or disassemble (the smaller ones can be taken down within minutes, although the larger ones will take a bit more time). While each greenhouse they provide serves a unique purpose, we found that the Estate Hobby Greenhouse [Amazon Link] sits in a sweet spot between a starter greenhouse and the larger ones available.

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Coming in as a mid size option, it still boasts polycarbonate walls, which are important to retaining heat as well as withstanding weather. Some of the smaller options feature plastic covers, which are prone to weather and may not achieve the same results, so it is good to have mid-size greenhouse functionality without having to pay for the higher end options.

As a nice extra, both the frame and the polycarbonate panels are covered by FarmTek’s 10 year warranty.

Odorless Compost Bin – Dealing with Compost Odors

Updated: August 15, 2018 Eric Clark

Composting has many benefits and many virtues, which is why it is becoming continually more popular in the united states and around the world. It is sustainable and environmentally friendly, a wonderful activity that can connect people, and especially children, with nature and the life cycle. But sometimes its, well, stinky! Compost odors present in indoor compost bins are especially irritating, but outdoor compost odors are no picnic either. In this article, we will look at several of the common problems that produce nasty odors in compost bins, both indoors and outdoors, and make some suggestions as to how to achieve the Odorless Compost Bin!

Best Greenhouse Heater. Reviews and Information

Updated: May 1, 2019 Eric Clark

Best Greenhouse Heater

Heating your greenhouse can significantly extend the life of your growing season, allowing you to grow later in the season, and allowing you to sprout earlier on. Plus it’s pretty great to have plants coming to life inside, while the world outside is barren and cold! After looking at several heaters that would be appropriate for greenhouse use on the market, we have determined that the Dr Heater DR218 line of heaters is the Best Greenhouse Heater for most applications.

With two models to choose from, one designed for 110v plugs (typical wall plugs) and the other designed for 220v plugs (dryer and stove plugs), this line of greenhouse heaters can put out some decent heat for a variety of applications. Also, its housing is designed for use in damp areas, which is a plus.

For a complete review of this unit, see our Product Reviews section below.

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