I'm thinking about purchasing a two chamber compost tumbler bin. Any thoughts or advice on this approach?
I'm having a lot of fun with my new garden and yard, and spending eyewatering amounts of money. I'll make another post when I'm not trying to cook dinner at the same time
Compost-makers, I need advice!
-
- Bringing Life to the DDBB
- Posts: 2491
- Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 2:45 pm
- Location: Utah
- StraightForward
- Bringing Life to the DDBB
- Posts: 3117
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2015 3:04 pm
- Location: Idaho
Re: Compost-makers, I need advice!
I talked to a coworker who is a really experienced gardener and he said the tumbler composter are high maintenance because it's hard to keep the moisture balance correct.
I just use a 3 bin system and let it compost slowly and turn it over to harvest the finished compost from the bottom about once a year. I have it positioned to get some overspray from the lawn sprinkler so I don't have to worry about lack of moisture.
I just use a 3 bin system and let it compost slowly and turn it over to harvest the finished compost from the bottom about once a year. I have it positioned to get some overspray from the lawn sprinkler so I don't have to worry about lack of moisture.
Keep calm and canter on.
-
- Bringing Life to the DDBB
- Posts: 2491
- Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 2:45 pm
- Location: Utah
Re: Compost-makers, I need advice!
That would make sense in our dry climate. OK,I may have to rethink this! Thanks!
-
- Bringing Life to the DDBB
- Posts: 1409
- Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2015 3:04 pm
- Location: Texas (o_O)
Re: Compost-makers, I need advice!
I've always done the 3 bin system too. It can be big bins (when horses were on site), or small bins (kitchen and yard refuse).
-
- Herd Member
- Posts: 489
- Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 9:55 pm
- Location: Arizona
Re: Compost-makers, I need advice!
When using horse manure I had three large pits and I put sewer pipe that had holes in it at angles with the ends sticking out. The holes got air in since I couldn’t turn it. Then I would stick a hose in the pipe end periodically to add moisture. The pits were approximately 4x8 and 5 feet deep. Then once a year use the tractor to dig the compost out and spread. It worked fine when I had three horses, but was too much manure for more.
-
- Bringing Life to the DDBB
- Posts: 2735
- Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2015 4:41 pm
- Location: E Tennessee USA
Re: Compost-makers, I need advice!
I agree that the tumbler types are a bit fussy and not worth the $. I mostly compost to eliminate garbage---not necessarily to add to our gardens (although I do take out very nice compost 1-2 x year). I find one of these types of bins works great for two avid cooks/gardeners who generate large amounts of compostable items every day:
https://www.earthmachine.com/the_earth_machine.html
If I were more serious about wanting to use the compost more frequently, I'd just have 2 or 3 of these bins.
Confession: I never stir/aerate my compost. But I don't have the moisture challenges of your location! (I live near a temperate rain forest.)
https://www.earthmachine.com/the_earth_machine.html
If I were more serious about wanting to use the compost more frequently, I'd just have 2 or 3 of these bins.
Confession: I never stir/aerate my compost. But I don't have the moisture challenges of your location! (I live near a temperate rain forest.)
-
- Herd Member
- Posts: 283
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2015 12:02 am
- Location: The richest hill on earth.
- Contact:
Re: Compost-makers, I need advice!
I’m having a heck of a time with our compost - I just don’t think it gets warm enough Here to do it the way I’ve always Done it other places. Very frustrating.
Return to “The Observation Lounge/ Cookbook Forum even Hot Topics”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Google Adsense [Bot] and 77 guests