What is a compost tumbler used for?
Compost tumblers help create the ideal environment for decomposition. While many composting bins on the market today are extremely effective at breaking down waste, compost tumblers generally work faster. That’s because their easy-to-use design means they get rotated more often. With both tumblers and bins, there is the issue of when to stop adding new materials so that the whole composter can “finish” and the compost can be removed. In our yard we eventually bought a second composter so one could be used for fresh materials while the other finished off.Like a stationary compost bin, tumblers do best when located in dappled sun or shade. Sun can distort plastic components. Over time, this may prevent them from fitting together properly. It can also dry out composting materials.In all honesty, a compost tumbler is not an ideal habitat for composting worms. For one thing, tumblers are designed to be rotated – but worms are generally going to prefer a habitat that’s not being disturbed all that much.Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you have to send all your food scraps to the landfill. Composting in a small apartment is possible and doesn’t have to involve a worm bin. That’s right, you can compost organic material in an apartment without worms!
Are compost tumblers any good?
Faster Composting: A tumbler’s regular aeration speeds up the composting process, meaning you get finished compost sooner. Pest-Free: The sealed and often elevated containers make it less likely for pests like rats to try and get in. Compost Starter Adding a handful of old compost, manure, or yard dirt rich in organic matter to a new tumbler can inoculate the compost with beneficial microorganisms and help it decompose more efficiently.Water should be added only when necessary and the tumbler should be turned every other day or so to keep all ingredients, microorganisms, and moisture evenly distributed. Within a few weeks, your Tumbling Composter will transform your scraps into this natural fertiliser named compost.In hot, dry weather, regularly adding water to a hot compost process is often a necessity. We recommend a minimum moisture content of 50% to support a hot compost process. A hot compost pile can easily lose 1% of moisture content every day.Adding a handful of old compost, manure, or yard dirt rich in organic matter to a new tumbler can inoculate the compost with beneficial microorganisms and help it decompose more efficiently.
How long does it take for a compost tumbler to work?
It can take from a few weeks to a few months. It depends on what you’re trying to compost, (some organics take longer to break down than others), how much water you add, (if you don’t frequently add a little water the process takes longer), and how often you stir it. Under ideal conditions, you can convert waste to finished home compost in as little as three weeks in a sealed compost tumbler. Outdoor temperature, time of year, and the correct balance of carbon and nitrogen matter are factors that influence the speed of composting.Compost is ready to use after anywhere from one to 12 months, depending on the size of the materials placed in the compost system, the degree of management, and the intended use. Compost that will be used as a top dressing or mulch can be applied after the least amount of time.However, a compost bin can occasionally attract unwanted insects and wildlife pests like cockroaches, spiders, and houseflies, or rodents like mice or rats. If you already have pests, you may decide you want to start over by cleaning out the bin and using some more effective composting practices.Bag composting Put everything in a plastic bag, and forget about it for a few months. Again, ideally don’t put anything too smelly in it, or pests will break in. Don’t smell it either before it turns into compost!
How often should I add water to a compost tumbler?
Water should be added only when necessary and the tumbler should be turned every other day or so to keep all ingredients, microorganisms, and moisture evenly distributed. Within a few weeks, your Tumbling Composter will transform your scraps into this natural fertiliser named compost. Frequent turning of the tumbler ensures adequate oxygen supply for the microorganisms, promoting faster decomposition. It is recommended that you turn the tumbler a few times each time you add material and several times a week.Cut up the kitchen waste into small pieces if you wish to speed up the process. Turn the tumbler every three to five days. If it seems dry, pour in a bit of water. When the tumbler is about three-quarters full, stop adding new material but keep turning it regularly.