How to Use Your Home Built Tumble Composter to Create Rich Compost

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Choose a warm sunny spot to put the tumbler.

   The compost will break down much quicker if it is warmed by the sun.
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   Step 2: Save your vegetable kitchen scraps to add to the tumbler

   ,, Grab a handful and if you can squeeze water from it
   -- it is too moist
   - add dry manure or grass clippings, tumble, leave for a week and test again.
   
   Similarly, if too dry, avoiding adding grass and dry materials and just add vegetable matter until moist. , This will stop the chlorine from killing 'good' bacteria , When you do turn it over, tumble slowly a number of times and allow the contents to mix. ,,, You will find the contents compact as they decay.
   
   Work on a 2-3 month cycle from starting a load to emptying it onto your garden. ,
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   Step 3: avoid adding the seeds of vegetables (see tips).

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   Step 4: Adding grass clippings and other non-woody garden waste is essential (see tips).

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   Step 5: The contents of the composter need to be moist but not wet.

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   Step 6: When adding water

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   Step 7: use well water or water that has allowed to sit overnight so chlorine can evaporate.

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   Step 8: Tumble your composter at least once a week.

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   Step 9: In a composter that is working well

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    Step 10: the contents should feel warm to the touch.

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    Step 11: If your composter is smelly

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    Step 12: add a handful of garden lime or dolomite.

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    Step 13: Don't overfill the tumbler - try to only fill 2/3's to 3/4's full at anytime.

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    Step 14: Depending on how well you balance the moisture level in the tumbler

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    Step 15: you will get 2 or 3 loads of rich compost a season.

Detailed Guide

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