Compost Tumbler advantages
Why I like compost tumblers:
1. Compost tumblers are nice looking. Neighbors and family members won’t complain about an ugly homemade compost pile or bin.
2. Compost tumblers are pest resistant. Dogs won’t get into your compost, or squirrels or raccoons or rats.
3. Compost tumblers are easy to keep aerated. You don’t need a pitchfork, or a compost turning tool. You just turn the composter or flip it over and your compost gets mixed.
4. Compost tumblers stay closed up. In hot weather, the compost stays damp longer and doesn’t dry out. In wet weather, the compost doesn’t get too soggy. Any smells stay inside the compost tumbler (although compost shouldn’t smell bad if you are doing it right).
5. Compost tumblers are simply more fun! Let’s face it, it’s kind of fun to go out and turn the compost when you keep it in a tumbler. It feels like you’re accomplishing something, yet it isn’t hard work.
6. Compost tumblers make compost faster. Honestly, if you make a giant pile of compost and keep it well stirred and aerated, you can get compost from a pile just as fast. But who has time for that? Using a tumbler makes the whole composting process easier.
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Thanks! Let me understand: this Compost Tumbler does not need ground to stand on? it can be placed in a room??
@Dan, No, its best to use this type of composter outdoors. The only type I would consider using in doors is a vermicomposter which uses worms to break down the material. Like this one: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/wormcomposter.html
My tumbler is horizontal so it is hard to turn. The vertical ones would be easier using momentum to turn it. My tip – buy a bin that is taller than the ones that are lower.
After four weeks in the tumbler the compost isn’t hot enough. We’ve put lime, grass clippings,it’s moist and in the sun. Our thoughts are – we might buy some comfrey to heat it up? What are your thoughts
@Jean, Yes, a vertical composter is much easier to turn using the momentum than a horizontal bin. As for heating up your bin, I would suggest using cottonseed meal. You can purchase it at most feed stores and it’s a great source of nitrogen to get your compost going.
We are considering a compost tumbler? If you are continually adding scraps, when do you get the good soil out without having newer scraps mixed in? Or, is there a time you take a break from adding your scraps? Just trying to figure out how to get the soil without the scraps. Thanks!
@caron, You have a few options when composting. You can do batch composting, which means you fill the composter with browns and greens, keep it moist and well aerated and wait until its finished, then use the finished compost. Typically this method involves a second composter or bucket to keep your material while the first compost bin is finishing. Then you have new material to add when the batch is done.
Or you can add browns and greens as they come available, the material will break down as you are adding to it. Once it’s full, you will stop adding to it and allow the process to finish. Like batch composting usually having a second composter or bucket to hold the extra material is helpful.