Compost Tumblers
Composting Fun
Compost tumblers are a practical way to produce compost they will create the compost far more quickly than a conventional pile and as the name surgests tumbling or turning the compost is a easy way to do the required mixing, and it also makes the process a bit more fun, this method is also known as hot composting.
Before you start on your first composting project of the year, have you thought about what you were going to place your compost in? I don’t mean, "In my garden," or even, "In my houseplant’s soil," those are all moot points. I mean, have you considered whether you were going to compost out in the open for anything and everyone to see, or perhaps in a compost bin or compost tumbler? After all, these are important points to consider and they may hold the key to a successful composting project.
There are quite a few methods when it comes to composting; some use the open composting method by building a pile of compost out in the woods or yard, others use compost tumblers and bins. I prefer the compost tumbler method out of all of them mainly because I lead quite a busy life and can’t commit to watering down my compost constantly if it’s out in the open in addition to turning the pile on a regular basis. However, that’s not to say that a compost tumbler is better than open composting; both methods produce the same amount of compost in the same amount of time so long as you keep your compost heaps aerated.
Compost tumblers have a lot of great benefits, the most obvious being that if you’re a busy person all you really have to do is toss all your food scraps and/or yard waste into your tumbler, turn it or flip it (depending on the design) about every few days and you’re good. Tumblers of course, keep your compost aerated which is very important; you never want your compost to stay stagnant because that would bore the little microbes in your heap. They should be actively eating and decomposing all the matter in the tumbler or bin!
Another reason I prefer tumblers over other methods is that it keeps bears and other animals from being attracted to the smell and away from your compost. Your pile will stay securely in the tumbler until it’s ready to be removed, which can be easily done. But the big reason why I like compost tumblers is because they’re fun! Sorry to the folks who have open compost heaps, but I don’t find using a pitch fork to turn my compost appealing at all. Something about spinning or flipping my compost tumbler while on a steady axis sounds easier. Call me lazy or what have you, but know this: my compost heap is still just as good as yours!
Vicki Duong
What Is Composting?: Let It Rot: Five Guidelines For Composting
Cold composting is basically just making a pile and letting it sit in the bin. This takes longer than hot composting. Hot composting is when you aerate it.
Bacteria breaks down the materials in your tumbler and turns it into rich organic compost. The decomposing material will become hot as the bacteria does its work.
What Is Composting?: Composting Fun for the Whole Family
Ok, ok, I know I said Composting, Fun for the Whole Family. As parents we need to teach our kids why we should compost. The info above can help you do just that.
Composting, on the not-so-grand scale
Yes, "compost happens" but it usually happens slowly unless you engineer it. True efficient composting takes some work, for sure. For quick, hot composting.
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[...] persistent Fall leaves can go into the compost tumbler along with grass clippings, bush trimmings, weeds, and other yard waste. Kitchen scraps (no meat or [...]