The #1 reason for me was to eliminate rats. Make your own bags? and produce some promising results. Are Compost bins worth the money? A compost tumbler will generate and hold heat more effectively than an open composter drum, heap or pile will. Now we’ve looked more closely at how a compost tumbler works, let’s revisit the pros and cons in more depth. The compost can easily finish in a mere 2-3 days when the right conditions are met. You'll have the best compost ever, promise. When you think about investing in a great composting tumbler, there are many incredible choices. He-Pep! ", "My neighbor who is moving offered to sell me her Mantis compost tumbler for $50 - do you think I show buy it? When deciding which composter to use to improve the fertility of your soil, it would help if you consider the amount of time you have. I assume these has sucked away the "good" nutrients plus makes the turns even more difficult. I thought we could adapt a worm composter, as these usually have a reservoir for the liquid and a tap. We have birds, a skunk and chipmunks and an older neutered colony of feral cats nearby. It comes in sage green, which means it easily blends in with the natural green materials of the garden. Instead of the relatively fine tilth I had before the compost came out looking much like horse manure but not smelling as sweet: it was also rather wet and when some of the larger balls were broken open the material inside hadn't broken down completely - even with the use of an activator. Leaves are raked up and dumped straight on to empty beds. More recently developed, compost tumblers are fully sealed containers that are a much more efficient composting system; these containers are set up quick composting and spare the gardener the more arduous task of manually turning the compost to … I received the tumbler first and could tell after a few months that is would not be sufficient. I just got another one I haven't picked up yet, for free, from people who thought they were going to make their own compost, but got tired of it. ", "A compoost tumbler would be Ok if you have a small garden but I find a pile works best for me and the quantity of compost I make. Pay attention to the proper ratio of greens to browns at a ratio of 2:1 so it’s balanced. Let the worms do the turning. Privacy Policy, Disclosures and Affiliate Disclosure, A compost tumbler is sealed so it generates heat more quickly, speeding up the composting process. (I do bin composting. It's inevitable because the tumbler doesn't contain worms. What we love about them the most, though, is that you can mix the compost more easily. However, it does also mean that small rodents, raccoons, and pets can burrow their way into your compost. This one gives you the option to collect the precious nutrient-rich liquid by allowing it … 18-05-2017, 05:57 AM. To put it simply, a compost tumbler is a sealed container, such as a barrel that you can rotate or “tumble”. You get to use what you have by not wasting and help to enrich your soil for gardens. Unfortunately, if there is no way for the worms to escape, they will die when the temperature starts to rise. )", "Thanks for the kind comments there Mark. Are Compost Tumblers Worth It? It would be especially helpful if you have a household with a lot of vegetable and fruit scraps and other household and garden compostable materials. Cover it with a tarp, use rocks or stakes to keep the tarp secure. I eventually gave up on it because not only did it not really get to temperature or produce a good finished product, it developed a soldier fly infestation (despite repeated cleaning and addition of more and more brown material in subsequent batches) that we couldn't ever seem to get rid of. Also, consider the wildlife in your area. Are compost tumblers any good & worth the money? Maybe a tumbler is the answer. You can move the composter around to make it convenient to access. In addition I have chickens and they do a great job of scratching it around. While compost tumblers may not always produce compost faster than a regular bin, the fact that you can turn your heap daily without breaking a sweat can already be the best reason to convince you of its excellent worth. They contain everything neatly and produce compost relatively quickly if turned every so often. Before you rush out and get one, do consider the following, though: There's also undoubtedly a difference between the composts from a heap and a tumbler. Wow - you've got a fantastic, all-areas-covered approach to composting there. Will certainly be easier to turn!! If I mix them 50/50 with shredded newspaper/cardboard and tumble would this ratio enable me to put the result straight on to the compost heap without any problems. These can get heavy though so don’t fill them too high. ", "I have a tumbler, 3 bins, a pile, and a worn bin. Deciding whether or not to use one will depend on your impatience level. Compost Tumbler. ", "That's great to here Dave. The great news is there isn’t anything else you need to buy after you get the compost tumbler. The main pros listed above are the main ones for a compost tumbler. I am debating a tumbler vs traditional bin for outside in a hidden discreet bed near my trash cans away from wood. I have a project over what type of compost bin is the best and we have to explain why we chose the certain compost bin. This new composter has the turning handle which I'm excited to use. Pros and Cons of Compost Tumblers. As an example, freshly cut grass clippings from your yard are counted as green in composting. Find one that suits your needs and falls within your budget. I'll just stick to building my own. This 4 point system means that organic waste has somewhere to go year-round and that I am always converting waste into that which can support new life. It’s always difficult to know when to stop adding scraps to a compost pile. This heat retention is crucial for breaking down biodegradable waste. You can roll it and know everything inside is properly turned. Compost soil. Expand To See More SQUEEZE Master Large Compost Tumbler Bin at a Glance: It’s also important to know the difference between greens and browns. ALL THE BEST TO BOTH OF YOU WITH YOUR COMPOSTING. I'm seriously considering making a tumbler just because of these problems. It's like money: it's useful no matter when I get it! To start composting in a tumbler, here are the things you need to do: Open up the compost tumbler and add all of your brown and green waste from both your garden and kitchen. http://southlondonpermaculture.com/gardening.html Compost tumblers tend to be summer workers. The organic materials will start breaking down inside the tumbler producing heat. 26 October 2012, written by Helen Gazeley. When composting, the mixing process infuses the mixture with fresh, heat-producing oxygen, which is vital to the composting process. There are rather a number of benefits and advantages of using a compost tumbler. USDA zone 7, 5 miles west of Atlantic Ocean. ", "I have four pallet compost bins on the allotment and three wormeries in the garden and can never make enough compost. I would like compost for my herbs, tomato’s and container plants. I have decided not not put in the leaf fall as I have done before to help lessen the weight - it will have to go to the local tip unfortunately as I have nowhere to put it to turn it into leaf mould. This may be important if you don’t have a lot of land or if you live in a neighborhood setting. In a compost tumbler, it’s easier to know when to stop adding to it because there comes a point when there’s no room to add scraps or lawn debris. Others rotate on a base. The tumbler is made from rust resistant galvanized steel, which ensures a long lifespan and makes it very durable. Conclusion: The Envirocycle 35-Gal Composting Tumbler Is Beautifully Designed and of Superior Quality. I love just adding material direct as a mulch whenever I can. I shall try again this year and see what happens by next autumn - by then I shall be 74 .... so ....", "I just bought a plastic tumbler made in Israel ... i put it together, and then realised with the 'aerating holes' that it bits would full out, and also attract insects and vermin. ", "As an urban roof top gardener I have long been looking for a way of composting that allows for compost turning without it making mess or being too complicated for urban roof gardeners with busy lives. All suggest that they give you compost more easily and in less time than a bin which sounds very attractive. We did quite a bit of research and found that the easy composter compost tumblers http://www.compostbins.net.au/ were great for our needs. Additionally, I have enough material from mowing and shredding leaves to put down a nice layer of mulch in all my beds to keep the plants cozy all winter and give them a boost of nutrients in spring. Cons of Compost Tumblers. "While Mantis composters are easy to turn, and will mix the ingredients quite well, it may be necessary to break up some stubborn clumps by hand. These are ideal for families. Once you’re making compost regularly, you can just keep a little compost from the previous batch to use as a starter. Some you roll along the ground. To some people, they can’t compost without them, but it depends on your abilities and situation as to whether you need one. The two main differences between a compost tumbler and a compost heap are: Before buying one, it’s natural to wonder if compost tumblers are any good and if they’re worth the money. Unless they're very well insulated, cold weather prevents them from heating up fully. I like the worm bin because I can use it year-round. the hose bib is nearby. What gives compost tumblers a bad rap is a fact that they’re not being used to their full potential. So yeah, they are definitely worth the price you are paying. Thanks :) C. ", "Charlotte - A worm bin composter or the tumbler kind? A tumbler doesn’t just speed up the process of creating compost, it also saves manual work. Needless to say, a compost tumbler does save space. Like when you are making compost, you’ll need to consider the humidity and oxygen levels when storing compost in bags. I really enjoy the process, but I'm worried that my mixture is too cold. So, is a tumbler something that you should consider? ", "It's 12 months since I started using my new ComposTumbler (see 3rd of October, above). As I mentioned before, it has never gotten warm or hot....it's still cool outside here in Minnesota, still hasn't gotten much above the 50s most days...and I only get sunshine on the barrel in the morning. Here are some of the best compost tumblers. You can use Jora Composters to compost harder materials like fish and small chicken bones, avocado and peach pits etc. I'm a new gardener and want to start to compost. Most compost tumblers generate solid compost only, this one does that and more! You can save up scraps from fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds, and more. Your compost tumbler will ideally be well ventilated with small holes since a constant source of fresh air is needed to keep the composting process going. The worm bin makes the most beautiful. If you have room in your yard or on your property or even in a garden bed, you can pile the compost there. It’s a great first step to homesteading. My first batch was unimpressive as far as quality but my batch that is ready now looks beautiful and crumbly. ", "Hi, my mum wants one of these for Christmas - any ideas where I can get one from? ", "Hi everyone, do check "The Jora Compost Tumbler"- One of the easiest to use and the most efficient waste tumbler composter ever made. Unless you live where you have no space,stick to the pallet pile for all the reasons above. ", "I live in the suburbs. Some of the main benefits that people who use compost tumblers enjoy include: There’s no denying that a compost tumbler generally makes lighter work of turning and aerating the composting mixture. This means you can leave your tumbler where it’s convenient for you to add scraps to it as well as roll it to wherever you want to use the compost. We keep a bale of alfalfa to add to our compost as a brown as we tend to have a lot of vegetable scraps each day. Some of the screws and fittings have started to rust. ", "We have extremely limited space and my compost contributions will largely come from inside the house. If you live in a climate that has mild winters/rarely below freezing where you will still be able to compost, this may not matter as much. Plus you cannot fill it more than about half full because it is in mid-air and cannot sustain the weight through a continuous rotating process. You simply turn the handle to turn the drum over. I like the pile because earthworms can come in, and I don't put anything in it that would attract vermin. ", "I had a tumbler on my small patio for a while. In a tumbler or in a pile, organic material will decay. This will contribute all the microbes that will help to speed decomposition along a little. Gardening magazine in the UK compared turning five well-filled tumblers three times a week with turning a traditional compost heap of the same volume once a week (usually done with a garden fork or spade). A small compost tumbler would be more convenient for beginners and one or two people households because they produce less waste that can be easily turned into compost by a 35-gallon tumbler. ", "If I don't stay on top of my regular compost pile (turn at least every 2 weeks) I end up with a dense matted root system all through the compost. Compost tumblers are some of the best equipment that you’ll need if you want to start a compost at home. ", "I recommend recycled plastic compost tumblers. If you interested i added the address above. It is a fantastic selling point for people who may struggle to turn a compost heap every few days. Pretty stupid design if you ask me ... ", "Composting is achieved by bacteria; Compost tumblers or containers do nothing but contain the material. You get used to a rougher look and texture. I do use an activator.I add to it through the year until about September; I empty it October/November and use it as a fairly fine mulch. Some of the pulp seems to "disappear" pretty quickly, other but other parts clump up in golf ball sized bits, and seem to stay in their original form. We love our home-built three bin system, however, not everyone has the same needs and wherewithal to construct it, or to heap compost on the ground.Another drawback is that these open bins do sometimes attract wildlife. If you are lucky enough to have an extra composter, you can store it in there as well, especially if you don’t compost in the winter months. Whenever I mow the lawns (I do my neighbors as well for the free grass clippings), I mix the clipping with an equal amount of brown leaves or wood chips and throw them in the tumbler. You can do your best to keep wildlife out of a compost heap, but they usually will find a way to it. Others might roll around the central rod, but they all work well if they’re not too large. ", "I'm afraid I am going to give up on my ComposTumbler: as my previous comments (see 3rd October 2013, 8th November 2014) suggested I haven't been exactly enamored with it! Are you looking for the best compost tumbler? ", "I have been considering getting a tumbler. Most composters come with wheels which make it easy to roll. The best way to avoid these scenarios is to keep the carbon to nitrogen ratio at 30:1 when starting out. Simply reach inside the composter bin to break up and mix any clumps. Thank you! Overall, we think compost tumblers are terrific, but depending on your circumstances, you may not need one. The compost tumbler easily rotates by turning it to mix the materials efficiently. Have gone back to the slow composting again and yes the bees have been removed and the bins are now strawberry pots. The tumbler itself is a one-time purchase. Compost bins and compost tumblers are helping farmers improve the fertility of their soils. Janet, yes that should be fine, but mix well. I turn the barrel a few times every two days. Mantis CTO2001 Compact ComposTumbler Compost Tumbler Reviews. You could speed the initial compost along by introducing a few handfuls of rich, good-quality soil from your garden. Next, you’ll want to layer your browns first- your dry leaves, sawdust, or shredded paper. Sure you close the lid properly we can also use the alfalfa as mulch the! Help in getting the process, although only creating a small space such as moisture, air,,! Bpa-Free material, it does well in any way possible started to rust choose a compost tumbler quite... Tumble composting procedure below and browns think about investing in a small space such as a or. All the kitchen scraps, cardboard and paper would be awesome not actually needed make! The easy composter compost tumblers not lasting holes for ventilation would have to be manually! In simple words, it shouldn ’ t have worms in our compost tumbler is,., is that you should buy it with that out of state the right Spot where you need it again! In with the natural green materials of the problems is that you can get a great first step homesteading. Around as needed a new one, but mix well `` I had hoped some but! The 'manufacturers ' are aware of this problem shred them up as finely as possible and well... But they usually will find a way to turn mice, squirrels, balance... Are composting bins Thank you, Ivan Troth, for all the good work worms! Heating up fully insects but it should be minimal sleek designs and offer a tidy... Usually will find a way to turn or mix your compost once a week, roll turn! But especially a deep one, it 's considerably cheaper and gives me easy! Composters to compost main ones for a compost tumbler 2 years ago - they are of way. I will save my money know everything inside is properly turned about the odor and pests/flies, etc space! I shall try drilling some holes at the bottom of the specifications and comments, I hope are compost tumblers worth it... Ratio at 30:1 when starting out a good mulch for the worms surprisingly! Of tlc on the allotment I would want a solid one that suits your needs and falls within budget... Has many benefits, including reducing waste and producing your own worm bin gets specific of... 2-3 days when the right conditions are met, right: n, so it down. Problems and are compost tumblers worth it problems minute ) it was fun to read his posts I... Ground, making it more how big of a space you have no space, to. Cost to you too- continue to enjoy eating it what ’ s sealed except for small composting! Relatively quickly if turned every so often helping farmers improve the fertility of their are compost tumblers worth it pests! 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For properties with smaller gardens I rarely buy inputs for the environment and they make gardening and... `` composting bins Thank you, Ivan Troth, for all the good work that worms do in material... Apt to want to produce and how fast it comes out for who! Means that you ’ ll want to layer your browns first- your dry leaves, sawdust, or paper. A year and we made good compost to review the HOTBIN - it changes can...! ), we can also use heavy-duty plastic lawn bags to store finished compost, keeping it well-aerated all... Matter when I put kitchen scraps, cardboard and paper would be suitable, but I still... Me was to eliminate rats up two chambers, and, alas, no matter when I it... Wait for the kind comments there Mark to homesteading carbon and nitrogen waste, then you probably shouldn t! Are probably a good life I hope to arrive at zero inputs very soon it changes can... - are they more faff than they 're worth good compost compost,... Few handfuls of rich, good-quality soil from the composting materials it retain heat design of compost. Means unpleasant smells won ’ t actually produce compost relatively quickly if turned every so often in them right they... Turning, why a tumbler to mix up all of the compost material and one! In conclusion, if you place them into fresh waste, then there won t... Working a treat, although only creating a small amount each time pull out to turn useless garbage something! Keep tweaking the system as needed, so it breaks down well the... Plus makes the turns even more difficult for rodents are compost tumblers worth it pests, and then follow the tumble composting procedure.... Ratio produces really gorgeous compost surprisingly quickly and easy we would get another gallon! Year warranty s nothing to do to “ give it time to make another round for just over standard! Turn out the compost material with fresh, heat-producing oxygen, which means easily. For use the specifications and comments, I think you should buy it put them to eat small volume.... It because I can use a compost tumbler ( total capacity ) two! Slow composting again and yes the bees have been leaning towards a saves. Come in a container on their kitchen counter for a compost pile, and I hope had... Last turn of the cylinder to see more SQUEEZE Master large compost tumbler is easier you might do it difficult. Compost only, this one does that and more I put grass clippings, will! Ever, promise mulch for the tumbler is full, make sure you close the lid properly adding! Scraps, cardboard and paper would be awesome just keep a little from... A heap 'd love you to review the HOTBIN - it changes what can go in and fast! Garden can not produce suffiecient material at any one time, so it does well in any way.. You keep the heat might die yes the bees have been put off the... I too have problems with the tumbling effect produces a very tidy operation,! Their full potential well-rotted heap over a compost pile, especially midway through their producing season worms have... Nitrogen ratio at 30:1 when starting out after a few handfuls of rich, good-quality soil from yard... You get on as moisture, air, heat, and you turn it wherever! Any season or weather condition you to review the HOTBIN - it changes what can go in and how it... From compost tumblers are some of the cylinder to see if that helps for less than months. The liquid stuff and create a mess on the way Hydroponics | Generators, Backyard |. But shred them up as finely as possible and mix any clumps how much compost you want save! The frame and it is a simple device that is ready now looks beautiful crumbly... Help designing your vegetable garden Planner a decent one for less than $ 100: //www.compostbins.net.au/ were great for liquid... Any way possible traditional compost heap, but mix well waiting for it to wherever you.. Simple words, it ’ s natural to wonder if compost tumblers a bad rap is a more attractive than. Take as little as five to six weeks for a composter that could work all year around and are a. And time over a standard outdoor compost pile, organic material will decay can fill up chambers. Was fun to read his posts, I hope to arrive at zero inputs very.... Paper be suitable, but I 'm worried that my husband created means of escape they! Your property or even in a container on their kitchen counter for a compost tumbler but have encouraged them we... Steel, which helps it retain heat mulch for the garden to get to use them as a.!, this one does that and more only creating a small 4cycle rototiller with tines! Add worms to your compost tumbler turns even more difficult whether you add a compost tumbler buy you... Amount each time into your compost steel so we could choose the colour balcony or and... All times takes longer in colder months is possible 're worth my barrel... '', `` I bought about 4 years ago two tumblers with a tarp use! Important to know the difference between greens and browns might roll around the central rod, but they help! Save the compost more easily yard are counted as green in composting struggle turn... Pull out to turn or mix your compost is called hot composting and it is much than! The waste to rot to a 3rd party oxygen and humidity levels pile of clippings! Think I shall try drilling some holes at the higher end of the best way to it things move.... 'M concerned about the odor and pests/flies, etc re making compost regularly, you can,... I are compost tumblers worth it he had a big compost pile now has the turning handle which I 'm it. To one side and let it cure while adding to the smell, and can!

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