Anyone composts? Recommend a compost tumbler?

[NetWareHead]

I compost all my kitchen waste/scraps, old food etc... instead of throwing into the trash. I have a big pile in a corner of my property that i use a shovel to open up a hole and every week or so, I empty the organic scraps into it.

This system has been going well and it results in me creating a good amount of dark soil. The food decomposes in the pile and turns into fertilizer that I use in my garden. I like the idea of being able to recycle yard scraps and kitchen waste into something that I would have to otherwise pay for.

The problem is the fresh kitchen scraps. Even if I bury them 1-2 feet down in the pile, I feel that animals can still get to them. My friend has a Treeing Walker Coonhound and like any hound, he has a good nose. Every time the dog comes over to visit, he makes a dash for the compost pile. Even if I bury something deeply, the dog digs in the pile and tries to excavate something to eat. If a dog can smell the food, so can racoons, skunks, bears etc...

Therefore my plan is to get a compost tumbler. I would still use the pile system for normal yard waste like leaves etc... However, the tumbler would receive any fresh food waste. I think the tumbler should be able to compost the contents into soil quicker than a pile. Since the tumbler can be closed up, I'm not worried about animals digging and eating the food even if they can still smell it. Anybody using one of these?

 

[HydroSqueegee]

dunno about the tumbler. my wife has been itching to get one of those worm tower things though. Im happy with a pile in the corner of the yard.

 

[NetWareHead]

dunno about the tumbler. my wife has been itching to get one of those worm tower things though. Im happy with a pile in the corner of the yard.

I'd say you don;t need a worm tower if you have a compost pile already. Every time I go to turn the pile over, I dig up earthworms by the shovelfull. if I ever need worms for fishing or to put in a spot in the garden, I just go to the pile.

 

[HydroSqueegee]

the only problem we have with it are squirrels if we dont bury things enough. Which is surprising because our yard butts up to a large wooded area. So we have all kinds of critters; raccoons, opossums, ground hogs, deer... its fun times. the raccoons like the trash better.

 

[Sentinel]

Have you looked into worm composting? You should be able to do that in a garbage can. My German Shorthaired Pointer loves to eat old kitchen scraps and all sorts of weird garbage out of my pile, so eventually I'd like to go the garbage can + worm route.

 

[RossMAN]

How large are you thinking?
Budget?

I've seen this model at my local CostCo B&M for significantly less.

 

[NetWareHead]

Have you looked into worm composting? You should be able to do that in a garbage can. My German Shorthaired Pointer loves to eat old kitchen scraps and all sorts of weird garbage out of my pile, so eventually I'd like to go the garbage can + worm route.

Well If I go with a tumbler, I don't see any problem in adding some earthworms to it to speed up any composting. I see the worms as an add-on that can be done to any composting situation. I already add a composting accelerator which contains all sorts of starter microbes etc... that I've had good luck with.

The problem with my fresh food scraps is that I generate so many of them (we cook alot and also can/pickle food so a few pounds of just food scraps each week is not uncommon). Part of the reason why I want a tumbler is the heat it retains (due to dark color) coupled with the tumbling action will help to degrade the fresh scraps to soil quicker. The fact it keeps animals out is a huge plus.

 

[lxskllr]

I like open piles. If animals get it, so what? It makes it back to the earth in one way or another. As long as you aren't getting rats, or other undesirables it isn't a problem.

 

[dullard]

I can't help you with the tumbler they are always too expensive for me. But I did want to add that they need your yard waste. Good compost will be at least half leaf or grass matter.

I personally do the pile in the backyard method. But I animal proofed first. I had a good fence that I enhanced by lining it with chicken wire burried a foot deep.

 

[NetWareHead]

How large are you thinking?
Budget?

I've seen this model at my local CostCo B&M for significantly less.

I would be fine with something that big. I've been browsing Amazon for tumblers and there are a few to pick through. Deciding which one to buy is the hard part.

 

[darkewaffle]

compost.tumblr.com

 

[NetWareHead]

I like open piles. If animals get it, so what? It makes it back to the earth in one way or another. As long as you aren't getting rats, or other undesirables it isn't a problem.

Well I'd like the compost to make it back into the earth, but through my garden first. If not, why should I maintain the pile? Not interesting in feeding wild animals, attracting vermin or causing problems with my neighbors.

 

[lxskllr]

If not, why should I maintain the pile?

Because it's the right thing to do. Nutrients don't belong in a landfill, or over nutrifying water sources through sink disposal. It also saves fuel since energy isn't required to truck organics around town. Conversely, buying a huge plastic bin wastes fuel and resources, and gives dubious protection to the contents.

 

[NetWareHead]

Because it's the right thing to do. Nutrients don't belong in a landfill, or over nutrifying water sources through sink disposal. It also saves fuel since energy isn't required to truck organics around town. Conversely, buying a huge plastic bin wastes fuel and resources, and gives dubious protection to the contents.

Of course its the right thing to do and I agree with mostly everything you are saying. I've been composting for a few years and by having that compost, its one less thing to buy when I need to fertilize the garden. But you are overlooking the animal issue that can happen with fresh food scraps, even if you bury them. The dog finds them with no problems and tries to dig up the pile. I don't think many wild animals can figure out the door on a tumbler. Plus the tumbler supposedly composts the scraps quicker, considering how much I generate, this is another plus. If you have a better idea, please suggest it.

 

[Thump553]

I looked into them last spring. Couldn't justify paying $100+ just to keep the dogs and critters out. So long as you don't put meat scraps in you should be OK.

 

[Scarpozzi]

My grandmother just has 4 small posts around her compost heap...then connects the posts with strips of wood or metal fencing. So if you have a problem with digging animals, you could bury some chicken wire and setup a perimeter. It doesn't take much to deter a dog....Squirrels and other rodents are much smaller and can easily get in.

The biggest complaint I've heard about the plastic compost bins you can buy is that squirrels and raccoons tend to chew through the plastic.

 

[NetWareHead]

Ok so I purchased this one: http://www.amazon.com/Good-Ideas-12-...ef=pd_sbs_lg_5 I didn't pay full price for it; there is a store called Tractor Supply which has them on sale now for less than $120.

Seems like a good design and the lid screws on tight. Its not that hard to turn and even in the cold temps we have been feeling, the black exterior of the tumbler heats up the inside. It will have better performance in the summer time I'm sure. All of the kitchen waste has been going inside it. Surprisingly there is not really any odor or flies; stuff seems to be already decomposing in it. So far I'm happy with it.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Check your local public works dept, many municipalities sell composting bins at very discounted rates. I'm actually going to purchase a new one this weekend and will probably go with the Brave New Composter - http://www.bostonbuildingresources.com/index.php/green_products/yard_products

This chart may help in deciding based on your capacity needs - http://www.cboinc.com/studies4.htm

 

[nephilim2k]

If you have an issue with the food stuffs being buried within your pile, do like I do..

Blend them first in a blender you have no issue with using for food scraps. Blend it all with water (to make it a bit loose) then with the pile it in a bit at a time, mix it up a bit, it will get mixed in very well and animals tend to stay away (in my experience).

Remember almost everything can go in (I advise against anything dairy because the bacteria is harmful to the composting process).

 

[preCRT]

I got one of these several years ago for $15 off craigslist:
www.amazon.com/Tumbleweed-200003-58-.../dp/B0001LEMRK

The Tumbleweed is too freaking hard to flip when full.



To discourage critters the blender method works fine. Sometimes I'll just bury a shovel full here & there in the garden. The worms are thrilled.


ETA: The Tumbleweed may be easier to flip for someone taller & stronger. I'm 5'3".

 

[NetWareHead]

If you have an issue with the food stuffs being buried within your pile, do like I do..

Blend them first in a blender you have no issue with using for food scraps. Blend it all with water (to make it a bit loose) then with the pile it in a bit at a time, mix it up a bit, it will get mixed in very well and animals tend to stay away (in my experience).

Remember almost everything can go in (I advise against anything dairy because the bacteria is harmful to the composting process).

Interesting, we love dairy and generate alot of dairy waste as well. We put yogurt, bad milk, moldy cheese and even sour cream in there and have never had any problems. Everything decomposes back to dark soil. I do cheat a little and add a handful of compost starter cultere once a month or so to help speed things up.

Since we generate so much organic waste, my goal is to accelerate the decomposition process as fast as possible. Your blending method will work as finely ground food waste will decompose faster, I'm just reluctant to use my blender to dice up old rotting food. I'll see how fast the tumbler works first before I start blending.

 

[nephilim2k]

the blender should be done on fresh food waste.

 

[NetWareHead]

BTW, does anyone have any issues against putting meat in the compost? I've ready aplenty that it is not recommended since it will attract animals but I think in a sealed up tumbler, that risk is gone? Whenever I trim up steaks or chicken, the fat/skin/gristle all goes in. Even when we are done eating, the bones and remnants go in as well. Other than the animal aspect which I think is now mitigated, I would think meat items will break down into soil...

 

[Vdubchaos]

Because it's the right thing to do. Nutrients don't belong in a landfill, or over nutrifying water sources through sink disposal. It also saves fuel since energy isn't required to truck organics around town. Conversely, buying a huge plastic bin wastes fuel and resources, and gives dubious protection to the contents.

Doesn't matter....AT ALL

MOST of our companies choose to ship things from China using cargo ships.

I think I read somewhere that 7 or 9 of these ships put out MORE pollution than ENTIRE world of cars!!!!

They certainly don't seem to give a shit so these "compost" humpers don't really even put a TINY dent into things....

 

[preCRT]

BTW, does anyone have any issues against putting meat in the compost? I've ready aplenty that it is not recommended since it will attract animals but I think in a sealed up tumbler, that risk is gone? Whenever I trim up steaks or chicken, the fat/skin/gristle all goes in. Even when we are done eating, the bones and remnants go in as well. Other than the animal aspect which I think is now mitigated, I would think meat items will break down into soil...

I would NOT put meats or any animal parts in a tumbler, let alone a compost pile. Tumblers will not get hot enough to kill any possible pathogens.