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Composting is a great way to improve your garden. It helps balance out the soil by providing nutrients that are essential for healthy plants. Making compost can be a fun project, but here’s a quick guide on what you need to get started and find some great compost tumblers!
Table of Contents
What is composting and why should I do it
Composting is the process by which compostable organic materials are broken down into compost, a soil-like material. Finished compost can be used as a soil conditioner, fertilizer, or mulch.
What is composting not?
Composting is not just piling up your garden waste and hoping for the best! You need to add some key things in order to turn it into really good compost. These include nitrogen-rich materials, water, and air.
Why do we compost?
There are many reasons why you might want to start a compost pile or tumbler:
To create a supply of natural fertilizer for your garden – compost is an excellent source of nutrients that your plants can use. Compost will help improve the soil quality in your garden, which leads to better plant growth.
To reduce your waste – if you are composting as a way of getting rid of your garden waste, this can be an effective solution to the problem. Compost is a great alternative to sending things like vegetable peelings into landfill where they will just sit there and rot away slowly, potentially causing environmental issues. If you do it correctly, composting can be an effective way to reduce your waste. To raise awareness – if you are interested in environmental issues then the option of starting a compost pile or tumbler is great. It’s a fun project that will also help to educate others about how they can become more environmentally friendly.
The benefits of composting
The benefits of the composting process are plentiful. Composting takes your garden waste and breaks it down into a soil-like material that will provide the nutrients that your plants need.
Compost also helps to balance out the soil, which leads to healthier plants. Composting materials can be used as a way to reduce your waste, raise awareness on environmental issues, or just an activity that is fun and educational!
We’ve all seen compost bins that you can turn by hand or those fancy electric ones that spin for you so that you never have to touch it. But are compost tumblers worth it?
If you live in an apartment then a compost tumbler will not be practical because of its size, but if not then consider getting one (or turning your tumbler into a compost bin). The truth is that they are worth every penny – and here’s why:
1) It reduces greenhouse gasses and lowers property taxes on schools
2) Having less food sitting on our kitchen counters means more time we have for other activities
3) They are better for the environment and more efficient than landfills. This means that our local government will actually save money by not having to pay property taxes on landfills or clean up the mess in landfills from organic materials sitting there for a long time.
4) It saves you money! Composting is a much easier way to get rid of organic materials that you don’t want in your trash bin. Those compost piles will decompose naturally and give back nutrients for the soil for free!
As you can see, there are many reasons why having a compost tumbler or a dedicated compost pile are worth it! The truth is that they are a quick, efficient way to reduce the amount of waste you have in your own life. So whether you live in the city and apartment or own a farm – it’s worth considering looking into composting because it will help your family and also the environment.
How long does it take to compost in a tumbler?
It takes a total of about six months to compost in a tumbler. The reason it takes so long is that the pile needs to be turned in every two weeks. The compost tumbler is turned by hand, which takes a lot of time and effort. It’s a good idea to have extra soil or brown leaves around when you are turning the pile so that it will be easier to mix in with all of your compostable material.
The first two weeks will see the fastest results from your original material (about a 70% decomposition). This is because the material hasn’t been mixed with other compostable materials yet.
The next two weeks (about week three) will see an 80% to 90% decomposition rate, after which the pile will need to be turned again.
After this point, the compost tumbler takes about six months to fully decompose. The material will begin to look like soil and might not be recognizable from what it looked like in the beginning.
You want to make sure that you are composting enough brown materials, as this speeds up the process a lot more than green materials. This means that leaves are great additions but the grass is not because it’s too green.
The bottom line is that you need to have patience with your composting. It’s a slow process, but you’ll be able to make great use of the end product – which is usually free fertilizers and soil for your plants!
Are compost tumblers any good?
Yes, compost tumblers are great for making compost and ensuring that you are doing your small part to keep the environment healthy. They take a lot of time and effort but they give great results in the end. A really good idea is also to have an enclosed yard so that the compost tumbler doesn’t spill all over.
What is a good size compost tumbler?
A good size tumbler is about two feet tall, one and a half feet wide, and one foot deep. This can fit well in your garden and yard for you to take care of, but it will also be a manageable size when it comes time to start using the soil.
Choosing the right type of compost tumbler
There are some fantastic tumblers out there that you can turn easily and make your own compost from kitchen and yard waste.
They hold a large quantity, rotate easily, and work great whether you have an extra room in your house or if you want to put your bin out in the garden. A larger tumbler will produce compost more efficiently than a smaller one
If you want to buy a new compost tumbler, try and find one that is about half as long as it is wide – this will make turning easier, which means your compost breaks down more quickly!
Compost tumblers – what are they, how much do they cost, and where can you find them online
Time Saver – This tumbler composter is constructed for ease of use and simplicity of rotation. The Jora Composter acts as a compost turner which is simply turned by hand whenever waste is put in. The compost bin outdoor tumbler is divided into two chambers. While one compost container is being filled, the compost in the other chamber matures.
Incredibly Well Built – Unlike most outdoor composting bins it is the stable, food grade non-toxic insulation in the Jora backyard composter which allows the temperatures to rise up to higher than 160 degrees F, resulting in quick and efficient composting.
High Volume – The JK 400 is a large compost bin with a volume of up to 106 gallons and a capacity of 13-4 gallons a week. Keep our composter outdoor bin in a convenient place outside where you can easily dispose of waste in an efficient, environmentally friendly manner.
Allows Air Into Mixture – The Jora Composter is one of the few compost bins that has side vents allowing a flow of oxygen into the compost bin. The side vents of the compost barrel, along with kitchen waste (green) and a carbon source (brown), will result in a successful compost.
Attractive Design – Having compost bins outdoor is easy and convenient, and the Jora Composter was designed to bring that convenience to our customers. This compost machine is made from galvanized steel to be more durable, longer-lasting, and attractive in your backyard.
Made in Canada from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic – The original 8-sided dual chamber tumbling composter.
TUMBLING COMPOSTER – Avoid digging and mixing your compost pile by hand. The tumbling design makes mixing easy and efficient. Just close the door and turn it 5-6 times every 2-3 days. In hot sunny conditions and with a proper balance of ingredients the compost can finish in as little as 2 weeks.
EASY TO USE – Fantastic for beginners! The large openings and removable door make it easy to add scraps/clippings and remove finished compost. Deep fins on the body provide great ergonomic handholds.
TWO COMPOSTER CHAMBERS ARE BETTER THAN ONE – Two separate sides allow the first side to finish while leaving the second side available to add fresh scraps/clippings. Continuously swapping sides after finishing will create an uninterrupted flow of rich, healthy compost. Total capacity 37 gallons (5 cu Ft)
EXCELLENT AERATION – All our composter models feature aeration holes as well as deep fins to break up clumps inside the chamber and mix lots of oxygen into the compost. Tumbling composters allow far greater aeration than standard models.
DURABLE CONSTRUCTION – BPA-free, UV-inhibited, 100% post-consumer recycled polypropylene is contact safe and will not degrade under direct sunlight. The galvanized steel frame is corrosion resistant.
Enclosed composter drum eliminates odors and prevent access to pets and pests
Air vent at top of compost bin allows free flow of oxygen into drum
Drainage vents allow excess moisture to escape composter.Drum Materials : Non-toxic powder-coated galvannealed steel, rust-resistant,BPA-free, food grade plastic end caps. Frame : Tubular steel with black powder-coated finish
Compost tumbler barrel features removable door for easy loading and unloading
Compost Tumbler is made in USA. Time to finish compost: finished compost in 4 to 6 weeks. Compost times depend on ambient temperature and combination of materials being composted
Drum Capacity :12 cu. ft. Holds over 9.5 bushels (88 gallons). Up to three 30-gallon trash bags of material./Drum Height 12″ off the ground
YOUR RECIPE FOR PLENTIFUL PLANTS – Do you dream of a huge harvest or a front yard full of vibrant flowers? Achieve all of your garden goals with Miracle-Gro’s large 2x – 27.7gal (105L) dual chamber rolling compost tumbler! It’ll help you produce a constant and abundant flow of the coveted “black gold.” Give your plants the nutrient-dense fertilizer they crave, and watch your garden bloom like never before!
DOUBLE-DUTY, CONSTANT COMPOST – Serious gardeners need an endless supply of compost to keep their gardens looking and producing their best. Miracle-Gro’s turning garden composter does just that with its dual chamber design and high volume capacity. Add compost ingredients to 1 side, while letting the other side cure, and you’ll never get caught without compost again!
FAST AND EASY – Stop struggling with that clunky, cumbersome, difficult to use outdoor compost bin! Miracle-Gro’s rotating compost bin is easy to use for everyone. Our efficient tumbler system is simple to load and unload, while creating perfectly cooked compost without having to dig, turn, or mix by hand. It’s also designed to speed up decomposition, yielding rich, fertile compost in just 4-6 weeks!
LONG LASTING DEPENDABILITY – With a name like Miracle-Gro, you know you’re getting nothing but the best quality. This all seasons compost bin tumbler is crafted with sturdy side-locking mechanisms, a strong galvanized steel base, and tight seals to keep out unwanted pests. Plus, the BPA-free, food grade, UV-protected plastic ensures faster and more efficient composting all year round, while never leaching harmful toxins.
FREE BONUS GIFT – Achieve your garden goals with a FREE pair of Scotts multi-purpose gardening gloves! Each pair is latex-free, water-resistant, and features a no-slip grip, perfect for both indoor and outdoor projects. Grow your green thumb with Scotts and Miracle-Gro!
Twin chambers: Two separate chambers allow one side to finish composting while leaving the other side available to add fresh wastes; Constant alternation of the two sides will create an uninterrupted stream of nutritious compost
360⁰ Tumbling Design: The rotating design prevents you from digging or mixing the pile by hand; And the deep fins on eight panels make it easier to turn the compost bin
Excellent Aeration: Air vents can make the air fully circulate and will not cause an explosion due to excessive internal pressure; Deep fins can better break the clumps, which is conducive to the full fermentation of oxygen
Sturdy & Durable Construction: Constructed of premium metal frame and high-quality pp plastic body, this tumbling composter is corrosion-resistant, weathering-resistant, sturdy, and durable for long-lasting service life
Garden Gloves Included: The gloves that not only protect your hands from injury, but are also waterproof, making them easy to clean; With 4 durable ABS plastic claws for easy digging, planting and other gardening work
【Sturdy Construction】–This large tumbling composter makes recycling kitchen scraps a breeze. This premium BPA free organic compost bin is made from PP material and powder-coated steel construction, interlocking panels add sturdiness, sturdy enough to hold the device which does not rock or attempt to turn over even when spinning, stable enough not to fall over in even 40 mph winds as long as there is compost in it
【Practical Dual Chamber】–The black outdoor compost tumbler bin has 2 separate chambers that allow you can use the compost more frequently and efficiently while a single barrel composter, you have to wait to add new materials until the original materials have properly decomposed. Also you can combine it with a dry source to avoid getting mushy compost
【Convenience Aeration System】–The strong compost barrel features aeration holes as well as deep fins to break up clumps inside the chamber and mix lots of oxygen into the compost, please make sure that you have all the tabs in the holes as well or the panel won’t make a flat seam. Easy to use as the openings are divided, just slide the door open to add the compost material and slide shut
【Rotatable & Easy to Assemble】–This rotating waste bin is relatively easy to put together – half and hour or less, manual with installation steps in every package, a pair of gloves and screwdriver included. Center divider is made with angled edges with offsets, please make sure the edge fits into the slots of the panels when assembling. Tip: take advantage of the self locking nuts and thread the nuts on until they touch the plastic, then you can turn the screws without having to hold the nut
【Speedy Process & Space-saving】–Black color compost container can help absorb sunlight, allow for warm temperatures and faster composting. Compact enough for the outdoor space, looks nice in the yard and doesn’t stink as long as you keep the green/brown ratio correct. Makes composting in urban areas super easy! Maximum capacity of 43 gallon and assembled size of 28. 5″ X 25″ X 37″
✅Speed Up Composing Process: More advanced models use rotating to bring oxygen to the center of the bin and paddles inside the chamber to help mix and aerate the composting materials when turned. These improvements or modifications are designed for one reason: to speed the composting process.
✅How do Compost Tumblers work? Simple. You load them with green and brown waste from your yard and kitchen. When full, you give them time to work, in other words, heat up. Turning a compost pile mixing the organic materials and the organisms it contains with heat-producing oxygen is the traditional method of keeping the process going full steam. By turning the tumbler, the organic materials are mixed and infused with fresh oxygen.
✅Easy to Access Finished Compost: Just Slide the door open and take the organic fertilizer out when the compost is ready. When a check reveals the compost is complete —and this can happen in a matter of weeks —the same access that allowed you to fill the tumbler lets you empty it. Now is the time to spread the results.
✅Dual-Bin Design: The dual bin design takes a different approach to the continuous-use composted concept, Two bins are set side-by-side into a single rotating chamber. Thickly insulated compartments conserve the heat generating by the decaying matter, and this greatly speeds the process. This design also allows you to add food waste to one chamber while the other is composting.
✅Totally Organic and Money-Saving: If you’re looking for a fast, convenient way to compost your kitchen throw-outs, grass clippings, and organic yard waste, our outdoor kitchen compost bin is just right for you! The Compact Compost Tumbler quickly recycles it into nutrient-rich compost.
✅Bundled with Garden Gloves: Convenient for digging, planting, and other gardening work, latex rubber construction not only protect your palms and nails from cuts and scratches.
Long-lasting Durability: Plastic bins are easy to deform, rot, and may produce unclean substances under high temperatures. Therefore, we used sturdy 304 stainless steel to give our compost bin high resistance against deformation, rust, and provide it with corrosion-resistance. What’s more, stainless steel means non-harmful.
Abundant Storage Space: The two large chambers can hold at least 106 gallons / 400 liters of kitchen ＆ yard waste, thus, this makes sure that the whole family can use it, and you get abundant compost. Installation size: 44.7″ long, 31.3″ wide and 48.6″ tall.
Constant Composting: It takes a constant supply of compost to grow a beautiful garden full of vibrant plants, and our compost tumbler does just that. With two compartments, it ensures faster and more efficient composting—as one chamber is being filled, the compost in the other will have matured.
Quick and Efficient: The insulated material we adopted will produce high temperatures inside the chambers, and the side air vents allow a flow of air into the tumbler. This design can help create a successful composting in 4-6 weeks, even sooner in hot weather.
Easy Rotation: With the large ergonomic handles equipped on the side, you can easily turn this outdoor composting tumbler 360 degrees. This characteristic helps you save a lot of effort, as you no longer have to mix or unload by hand.
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FAQs about composting
Is composting good for the environment?
Composting is a great way to reduce your kitchen and yard waste of organic compostable material, which is that it will create something that decomposes much faster! It also creates healthy soil for plants to grow in. The environment benefits because less garden waste goes into landfills where animals and the elements can have their way with it.
What should you not put in a compost tumbler?
Materials that can go in your compost include green plants, grass clippings, kitchen waste, coffee grounds, and leaves.
Things you should avoid putting in there is food waste such as meat or meat products, cat/dog feces, processed food scraps (cans, wrappers), weeds with seeds/hairs (dandelion greens), peels from fruit and vegetables, dairy products (milk and yogurt cups), any type of trash, and cigarette butts.
How do you turn a tumbler into a bin to make compost?
There are a few ways to turn an unused tumbler into a bin for composting.
– One way is to buy the necessary composting accessories – you will need a container with holes in the bottom and sides. Fill this container with water, and then place the tumblers on top of the holes and fill it with soil.
– Another way would be to use bricks as anchors for the pile of compostable material. The bricks will serve as support while also creating channels in order for air and water to flow through
– The third method is to purchase a new dual chamber compost tumbler specifically designed as a composting tumbler- try searching for one that is about half as wide as it is long so that it will be
Can I make some money from having a compost pile or using a tumbler as well as reducing my waste?
You can, and it is a very environmentally friendly way of making money. If you have animals that produce manure, then the compost can be used as fertilizer for your produce. This will allow you to save money on fertilizer and it will also help to reduce the number of pollutants in the environment.
Tips for using a compost tumbler effectively
Tips for using a compost tumbler effectively – follow these tips to make the process of turning produce into compost as easy and worry-free as possible.
– Turn your compost regularly – turning can be done by hand or with the help of a compost turning device.
– Make sure there’s plenty of air circulating around the pile – this will prevent any bad odors and promote aerobic decomposition
– Use hot water when you want to destroy weed seeds so that they do not come back up in your garden veggies.
Conclusion
Composting is a great way to reduce your waste of organic compostable material, which is that it will create something that decomposes much faster!
It also creates healthy soil for plants to grow in. The environment benefits because less garden waste goes into landfills where animals and the elements can have their way with it.
Also, you may be able to make some money from having a compost pile or using a tumbler as well as reducing your own personal waste.
When considering how best to use these products – consider following our tips for making the process easy and worry-free.
Carl Sheffer
Editor
Hey y’all! Thanks for dropping by my site and checking it out. I enjoy sharing any helpful insights I’ve learned over the years in my adventures. If you enjoy working around your home and yard as much as I do then you’ve come to the right place. Cheers!
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