QUESTION: How long does it take to compost in a five-gallon bucket?
ANSWER: Composting in a 5-gallon bucket, if kept slightly moist, turned often, and consisted of one third green materials to two thirds brown materials, composting in a five-gallon bucket DIY setup should take approximately six weeks.
In six weeks time, the compost in your bucket should shrink to about half of the volume of its original size. You can either add the contents to the soil directly, or you can add the compost to the soil and drain the liquid (compost tea), which will basically work as a fertilizer and can be poured around your plants