How to Use a Compost Tumbler for Organic Gardening
Making compost in a tumbler allows those unable to turn piles with shovels the joy of making their own organic plant food. Setting up several compost tumblers and staggering their start dates will give you a steady supply of compost for all your garden needs. Use compost on flowerbeds, vegetable and fruit gardens or sell it for extra cash. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Load the composter with green and brown garden waste. For every 6 inches of brown garden waste, add 4 to 5 inches of green waste. A good ratio to remember is 25 parts of brown, or carbon, matter to one part of green, or nitrogen, matter.
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Leave enough room at the top of the composter so when you turn it, the materials mix thoroughly.
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Add enough water to the composter to moisten the materials. Do not use so much water the pile becomes sopping wet. You will need to add more water if the pile becomes dry during the composting process.
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Close the composter's lid securely.
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Turn the handle five or more times to begin the composting process.
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Repeat this process every day until the contents turn dark and become friable. Good compost smells earthy, not sour.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember to turn your compost tumbler daily for the quickest results.
Try adding cardboard, paper bags and other paper products as your carbon source.
Avoid adding meat, dairy, or human, feline and canine feces. It is fine to add the manure of chicken, rabbit, goat, horse, bovine and fish tank water. In essence, herbivore droppings work well. Chickens are omnivorous and produce high-nitrogen manure that once composted, does not burn plants and works well for vegetables and flowerbeds.
Wear gloves and wash your hands after handling compost.
References
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty Images
