How do you start a rotating compost bin?

How to Compost in a Rotating Barrel

Locate your compost tumbler in a shady spot (see References 1), then choose your location based on convenience.
Chop or break up any large pieces you intend to add to the compost unit.
Add "brown" ingredients to the tumbler.
Add an equal amount of "green" ingredients to the unit.

Considering this, are rotating compost bins any good?

Both bins and tumblers do a pretty good job of keeping pests out of the compost. Compost bins keep out raccoons and dogs, but rodents can burrow under the base and even nest inside where the ground temperature is warm and food is close by. We had mice in the base of our compost bin, but they weren't really a problem.

Beside above, can I put bread in compost? Yes, stale or moldy bread can be used in compost piles. Bread would be considered a green compost matter (source of nitrogen). Bread can attract pests and rodents so make sure the bread is well mixed into the compost pile. You can also speed up the composting process by tearing the bread into smaller pieces.

Thereof, what should you not compost?

What NOT to Compost And Why

Meat, fish, egg or poultry scraps (odor problems and pests)
Dairy products (odor problems and pests)
Fats, grease, lard or oils (odor problems and pests)
Coal or charcoal ash (contains substances harmful to plants)
Diseased or insect-ridden plants (diseases or insects might spread)

How often should I turn my compost?

How often you should turn compost depends on a number of factors including size of the pile, green to brown ratio and amount of moisture in the pile. That being said, a good rule of thumb is to turn a compost tumbler every three to four days and the compost pile every three to seven days.

33 Related Question Answers Found

How long does it take for compost to mature?

Depending on the factors above your compost could take anywhere from four weeks to 12 months to fully decompose. If you're using a tumbler, you'll have ready-to-use compost in three weeks to three months.

Are compost tumblers worth the cost?

Some compost tumblers can cost up to $500. With an investment of that size you better be getting your money's worth.

What will make compost break down faster?

If there is one secret to making fast compost, it is finely shredding the carbon rich ingredients such as fallen leaves, hay, straw, paper and cardboard. Shredding increases the surface area that the compost microbes have to work on and provides a more even distribution of air and moisture among the materials.

Do compost bins smell?

A properly balanced compost pile should not smell bad. Compost should smell like dirt and if it does not, there is something wrong and your compost pile is not properly heating up and breaking down the organic material. There is one exception to this rule and that is if you are composting manure in your compost pile.

How do I attract worms to my compost?

If you are bringing in earthworms, settle them on a cloudy day, under organic material in a warm, moist area as summer's heat can drive earthworms deep into the earth or even away from your garden. To attract them to an area, water the soil so that it is deeply moisturized.

Should I put worms in my compost?

You do not need to add worms to your compost pile. Outside, composting happens with and without the help of earthworms. Worms will usually find their own way to a compost pile.

Do plastic compost bins work?

A plastic compost bin is ideal for a small space. The plastic sides and lid retain moisture and heat to encourage rapid decomposition. They also block out light to stop weeds regrowing. The bin should ideally be placed on grass or earth.

Which type of compost bin is best?

Here are our choices for the best compost bins:

Best composter overall: FCMP Outdoor IM4000 37 Tumbling Composter.
Best rolling compost bin: Envirocycle Tumbler Bin.
Best kitchen composter: SCD Probiotics All Season Indoor Composter Kit.
Best compost scrap container: Epica Stainless Steel Compost Bin.

How long does it take to compost?

Depending on the size of your compost pile, what you put in it, and how you tend to it, this process can take three months to two years. With a Compost Aerator, it's easier to add air to the pile.

How do you know when compost is ready to use?

There are a few ways to tell if your compost is ready to use:

1 It looks like dark, crumbly topsoil.
2 It has a pleasant, earthy odor.
3 The original organic materials (with a few exceptions) should no longer be recognizable.
4 The compost pile should have shrunk by half the size.

Do you need 2 compost bins?

You need at least two bins, one for decomposing material, and the other for using now. SGA recommend three bins, one empty, to be used when turning the compost.

How big should my compost be?

It is quite difficult to judge the size of compost bin required as it will depend on the quantity of fresh fruit and vegetables eaten and the type of garden you have. Generally speaking, a 200-300 litre bin is a good size to start with.

Can you compost in winter?

Compost all winter. Even though your compost might freeze solid and decomposition come to a complete stop, there is no need to stop composting. In fact, the freeze-thaw cycles will help to break down the materials that you are adding, so they will decompose even faster when the spring arrives.

Can you put worms in compost tumbler?

So long as the worms have food they usually thrive inside the compost pile. ?Don't put earthworms in a closed compost tumbler. The conditions inside these composters are not ideal and they will not survive. ?Local backyard earthworms tend to come and go as they please inside an open bottomed compost bin.

Where should compost be in sun or shade?

You can put your compost pile in the sun or in the shade, but putting it in the sun will hasten the composting process. Sun helps increase the temperature, so the bacteria and fungi work faster. This also means that your pile will dry out faster, especially in warm southern climates.

Can you put weeds in compost?

And yes, even weeds are compostable if you take a few precautions. If you do wish to compost weeds that have gone to seed, be sure to hot compost your weeds. That means that your compost pile must heat up to 140°F to kill any weed seeds.

Do compost bins attract rats?

While rats may visit, or nest in, a compost bin if they are already present in the area composting does not generally attract the rats in the first place. They also eat a range of foods that might be found in the compost bin.