What is a Compost Turner?
A compost turner is a gardening tool which is used to turn compost to promote aeration and rapid breakdown of the materials in the compost. Compost turners are a vital tool to have around for composting, as poorly aerated compost will grow unhealthy, breaking down slowly and smelling rather unpleasant. Many gardening supply stores carry compost turners, and it is also possible to improvise with other tools, for people who do not want to buy a specialized compost turner. In home composting, the goal is to promote bacteria and fungi which will break down food, yard scraps, and other organic material, generating a rich brown to black mass of soil which can be used to enrich the garden. Home compost piles usually harbor bacteria which need air to survive. As a compost pile is started, the bacteria move in and set to work, but as more material is added and the compost is compacted, air stops reaching the core of the compost pile, which means that bacteria cannot work there. With a compost t
