Download: How to Start a Compost in a Tumbler (A Quick Guide)
In this article, I’m going to show you how to start a composting with compost tumbler. Let’s get started.
How To Start a Compost in a Tumbler
Begin a compost tumbler to make composting easier and less time-consuming. When you understand the advantages of composting using a compost tumbler and how to utilize it, you will never want to compost in any other way. Here are the steps to be taken to make a compost tumbler:
Choose the Best Location
Your ideal site is critical since composting works best in areas with enough humidity and access to a little amount of sunshine for temperature control. Placing your tumblers in direct sunlight might further slow the process.
You may store your compost tumbler behind a tree. If you don’t have a tree, you can keep it in the west or south side of your house.
Read also: Can You Throw Moldy Bread In Compost?
Collect Your Green Waste
Compost piles include two key components. The first component is green waste, which consists of nitrogen-rich trash. These organic materials are high in nitrogen as well as other nutrients like phosphorus and potassium.
When you finish composting, all of the nutrients in the compost are derived mostly from green waste. This implies you should look for and include nutrient-rich green trash into your compost pile.
Collect Your Brown Waste
Brown trash, unlike green waste, is not primarily used to enrich compost. Its purpose is instead to increase the energy level of the decomposing bacteria in your compost pile. Brown garbage contains more carbon than any other nutrient.
Composting bacteria use carbon-rich wastes as sugar (carbohydrate). Composting bacteria require energy to breakdown your compost pile, just as you do to digest food. Brown trash provides energy to bacteria.
Place the waste in the compost tumbler
When you’ve collected enough garbage, place it in the compost tumbler. Check that you have adequate garbage.
Depending on the humidity in your location, you should mix your garbage in a ratio of one part green waste to two or three parts brown waste. If you reside in a dry area, use less brown garbage (i.e. low humidity).
Fill the tumbler with a compost starter or accelerator (Optional)
The compost barrel is elevated above the ground, which is a small disadvantage of composting using a compost tumbler.
Turn your compost tumbler on a regular basis
The majority of compost tumbler manufacturers recommend turning or rotating the compost tumbler at least once each day.
Some, though, recommend flipping it every two days. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your compost tumbler.
Remember to turn your compost pile so that your garbage may decompose fast.
Read also: What Should You Place in a Compost Tumbler?
Water your compost pile on a regular basis
Never let the compost pile dry out. Depending on the humidity in your area, you can water the pile once or twice a week.
Use clean water and avoid watering the pile so much that it begins to leak. If the pile is dropping water, catch it and use it to irrigate your crops since it is high in nutrients.
Check on Your Compost
When you’ve dumped your compost pile into the tumble composter and are periodically turning the bin, ensure you check it.
Check to see whether your compost is ready.
Most compost piles should be completed in less than two months. Even though the compost tumbler makers claim that your pile will be finished in two weeks, you should be skeptical.
When your pile is ready, it will have an earthy odor (uniform odor), a consistent texture, and will be somewhat dark brown.
Read also: How To Empty A Compost Tumbler
What can I do to keep flies out of my compost tumbler?
Spread a 2 to 3 cm thick layer of dirt on the surface of your compost (you can also use coffee grounds but soil will be a little bit more practical).
Soil is permeable to air and has a high carbon content. Through this barrier, flies will be able to exit the compost.
Recommended: want compost at your backyard? Check these best composting tumblers for backyard. Also, check our roundup about the best dual chamber compost tumblers here.
Conclusion
Gardeners are increasingly using compost tumblers. To obtain the same effects as traditional compost containers that sit in one area, more individuals are turning to compost tumblers.
I hope this helps you understand how to compost with compost tumbler. Also, check out the best tips for composting with compost tumblers here.
Reference
- Are all compost tumblers created equal?, Source
- Increasing Appropriate Composting in High-Traffic University Settings, source
- Start Composting in a Tumbler: Your Quick & Easy Guide, source
