Before beginning your composting process, you should be aware of how to Make Compost Using Tumblers and Bins. In this article, we’ll discuss what makes a good compost pile, the secret to a healthy compost pile is the carbon/nitrogen ratio, how to store your compost, and how to choose the best type of composter for your needs. Continue reading to learn how to make compost.
What to Compost
Composting is like caring for a pet. The aerobic microbes that break down organic matter need a warm, consistent environment to flourish. They also need the right kind of “food” to feed on.
Their initial diet consists of 30 parts carbon and 1 part nitrogen. Fortunately, paper products provide a sufficient carbon supply. These products can be added to kitchen scraps and bins to compost.
To compost the right way, remember that greens should be added first, followed by browns. Remember to keep flies out of the bin to avoid maggots!
As a rule of thumb, the mix should have the moisture of a well-squeezed sponge. In addition, make sure to use a lid to prevent over-aerating the compost. As a general rule, the mix should have a moisture content between 20 and 35 percent.
If you’re planning on using tumblers, check the venting. Tumblers with a poorly vented interior can turn into an anaerobic environment and produce smelly, messy compost.
To improve airflow, some composters modify their tumblers by adding holes. Before adding holes, be sure to test your compost load first. Tumblers and Bins may take longer to reach the desired temperature to compost; be patient!
The secret to Healthy Compost Pile: Carbon/Nitrogen
When you’re preparing your pile for composting, remember that the ideal ratio is 25:1. However, organic materials always change in their ratio of carbon and nitrogen.
You don’t need to find 25 times as many greens as browns. Instead, you should mix in equal amounts of each. The key is to keep the ratio as close to this as possible. Here’s how to achieve it.
First of all, compost requires water! And that carbon material is dry. So to maintain a properly moist pile, water is added to the pile as needed. Geoff Lawton, the permaculture guru, has likened it to wringing out a sponge. Despite the fact that it might feel as though a firm squeeze yields a single drop of water, a properly hydrated pile retains all its water.
Storing Compost in the Kitchen
If you’re interested in incorporating composting into your home’s green-living efforts, there are a variety of ways you can store your scraps. Tumblers are an easy way to recycle kitchen scraps.
Simply place your kitchen scraps in the tumbler, turn it occasionally, and then dump them where it’s likely to be used. This method takes about two to three months.
Whether you use a batch or continuous-type compost bin, make sure it’s sheltered and out of the reach of children and pets. The composting process requires moisture, and the amount varies based on the materials you use.
To minimize the chance of odor, runoff can be done nearby using a hose pipe. While composting produces nitrogen runoff, this runoff can contaminate natural water systems. To avoid this problem, consider storing your compost in a screened-in area, about 10 feet away from your home or building.
The best compost tumblers and bins should contain at least 75 percent grass clippings and 25 percent of other ingredients. Because tumblers have a closed system, less moisture evaporates. Too much moisture can result in runny, muddy compost.
A good compost tumbler should be rotated at least twice a week, which is not too frequent. If you’re planning on using your compost tumbler as a kitchen bin, you can purchase one that has a hand crank attached.
How to Choose a Composter
To start composting, you should decide what size of at-home composter will work best for your needs. For large gardens, you will need a stationary compost bin while for average-sized households, you should consider a tumbler.
The choice depends on your budget, the amount of waste you want to compost, and your personal preferences. Choosing the right composter will not only help reduce household waste but also provide useable fertilizer for your garden.
The primary difference between compost bins and tumblers lies in the amount of organic matter they can hold. Bins are more commonly stationary and require frequent turning, while tumblers can be moved and repositioned.
Both bins and tumblers are great for composting but come with their own advantages and disadvantages. You should learn about these differences before making your final decision. After reading this article, you’ll have a better idea of which model will work best for your particular needs.
If you’re interested in cutting down on your food waste, a food waste digester is the best option. A composter that converts food waste to humus is ideal for small gardens, but it’s not as effective for larger yards.
Besides, a compost tumbler is not rodent-proof and takes up a lot of space, making it unsuitable for smaller yards or community gardens.
Simplest Composting Methods
The most basic and most convenient way to compost is to use a bin or tumbler to hold your organic material. The tumbler keeps the material moist and manages the air and moisture.
The tumbler also keeps the materials separate to minimize the chance of unwanted critters. To ensure a successful composting process, materials need an appropriate amount of moisture, air, and time to break down.
To maximize the composting process, keep the bin or tumbler turned two or three times a week. The compost should be dark, crumbly, and no recognizable particles.
Alternatively, you can use a compost tumbler that has barrels that are elevated above the ground. In both cases, you will want to maintain an appropriate ratio of green and brown waste.
Brown waste consists of wood chips, cardboard, old newspaper, and dried leaves. These materials are more carbon-rich and absorbent than green waste, so they provide bulk to the finished compost. The more brown waste you add to your tumbler, the faster it will decompose.
Enclosed Compost Bins
When making compost, there are several options, including bins and tumblers. Tumblers are great for composting as they can be filled with kitchen scraps and shredded newspaper.
Bins are also great for garden debris. Once the pile is full, add additional ingredients, such as shredded paper and dry sawdust. Once the pile reaches the desired consistency, cover the bin with a lid to prevent it from drying out.
To use a tumbler, you should collect yard waste or food scraps. Look for one that rotates on its axis and has a working door. You don’t want compost that’s wet or smelly.
As the compost material decomposes, the temperature will increase. When the pile reaches the desired consistency, the compost should be crumbly and dark with no recognizable particles.
When using a compost bin, you should add a layer of hardware cloth to allow oxygen to flow through the pile. Ideally, you should have a ratio of three parts green to one part brown.
Adding a layer of hardware cloth helps prevent the pile from becoming too wet. Then, add the brown materials in layers, allowing for a consistent ratio of carbon to nitrogen.
The pile should be turned in every few days. A compost bin should have a high enough top so that a wheelbarrow can fit underneath it.
Food Waste Digester
If you have a backyard full of organic waste, how do you make compost using tumblers and bins? There are a few important steps to follow, but composting is not difficult.
Just follow these tips for the best composting experience. Sort your organic materials by carbon to nitrogen ratio before placing them into a bin.
Grass clippings and food scraps are considered green materials and should be added to the bins at about three parts of green to one part of brown.
A compost tumbler is a system of rotating drums on an elevated frame. It features a crank handle, which makes it easy to turn the contents. The tumbling action loosens the material in the bin and reduces moisture content.
When the material inside is fully aerated, the inner wall will slide underneath, which helps add oxygen. By incorporating these features into your compost bin, you’ll get better compost that’s ready to use in no time.
Conclusion How to Make Compost Using Bins
While composting large amounts of organic waste can be a challenging task, it’s much easier to turn these materials into a more usable form by using compost tumblers and bins.
Tumblers are typically elevated above the ground and have legs to hold objects on them. In contrast, wooden frame compost bins can be difficult to move from one location to another. A compost tumbler’s elevated design keeps microbes from reaching the ground.
Tumblers can help prevent soil compaction by enabling you to turn the pile easily. They also allow air to enter the system, which increases the speed of decomposition.
Depending on the size and type of tumblers, you can use a rake or spade to empty the tumbler. Tumblers are also ideal for preserving the microorganisms and bacteria that make compost so beneficial.
While a tumbler can be used for composting, you should be careful with its positioning. It’s best to place it in a sunny area where it gets sufficient sun.
If the area is exposed to the wind, it may prevent the tumbler from heating up properly. However, if the pile doesn’t get enough sun, it is best to place it away from a window or a breeze.
Thank you for reading the article, hope it helps you in making compost at home. Don’t forget to visit my website “Home Garden Nice” to keep up to date with the latest articles. If you have any suggestions or better ideas, don’t forget to leave us a comment. Have a nice day.
