just got a gigantic compost tumbler for free! How do i start it.

[jmw]

Newbie to organic gardening and to the site. My buddies dad needed some help and i happily volunteered. While i was there saw a never used huge compost tumbler. I asked if it worked well and he said he set it up and never used it. Then told me to load it up and take it home. I had just priced some last week and the small ones were pretty expensive. Dont mean to be long winded but im pumped i got it for free for helping him out. I have a huge pile of leaves piled up but can i put just leaves or do i need other materials??? I just got my first raised bed up 18'x 3' and planted my veggies. I need to get started on my compost for future soil amenment. Plus i have a few chickens. Can i use the chicken manure. Lots of questions sorry but brand new.

 

[Reinbeau]

Absolutely use the chicken manure, but be careful, chicken manure needs a long composting, and those tumblers tout their quick composting - so I'd only use a little mixed in with the leaves and other garden debris you have on hand.

 

[AmyRey]

So jealous!

 

[hoodat]

Don't expect them to compost in the short time they claim but they do work well. I always add several fist sized rocks to help break things up when you turn it. If it begins leaking juice be sure to catch it and use it for fertilizer like you would fish emulsion. It really makes plants grow, even if it is a bit smelly.

 

[vfem]

Just be patient with it, and load it up with what you need. I have a black bin composter (and a second pile in the yard) and the black bin seems to take a year at best. However I don't turn it, and I just kinda throw everything into it without a plan in mind. Its just easy access like a trash can for things I wouldn't dare through in the trash and waste its goodness.

Your tumbler will do you proud, it just takes time. You can do just leaves and it will probably break down quickly. Through in some soil with it to get it moving even faster. Remember to keep it moist though or it won't break down at all.

 

[hoodat]

Tumblers are good for leaves. If you give it a few spins every day it will keep the leaves from matting down, which can be problem with normal compost heaps.

 

[ninnymary]

I put leaves, grass clippings, chicken poop, vegetable peels, and things from the garden chopped up. I filled mine in 3 months and am now letting it "cook". The compost is almost ready and there are are alot of worms in it. Of course, I'm one of those that turns it frequently. It's really more of a rocking than a complete turn. I also loosen up the compost with my 3 prong tool when I open it up once a week.

I have a large tumbler and it get's quite heavy for me to turn completely. Hope you won't have that problem. But I doubt you are as petite as I am!

Mary

 

[hoodat]

I know what you mean. Once it gets a lot of almost finished compost it can really be heavy to turn. Usually there's more water than it needs at that point so you can lighten it by leaving it open so some of the excess evaporates.