what is the best mixture of scraps to put in the composter to start the first batch in a brand new yimby tumbler composter?
862976
If you search 'carbon to nitrogen compost ratio' you'll find lots of very good advice. Rule of thumb is 25:1 carbon to nitrogen. Don't go crazy trying to make it perfect. If the contents get stinky, you need more carbon (dried leaves, stems, corn cobs et cetera as opposed to high nitrogen materials like grass clippings, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds et al) . Important for first load is to add a shovel full of your garden soil so that you introduce the microbes needed to start the whole breakdown process.
862977
I didn't think too much about ratios and stuff. I just check the composter every other day to make sure they stay moist. I started with about a shovel of dirt and then added in kitchen scraps from veggies, eggshells, coffee grounds, fruits. Watermelon shells especially work, you'll just need to cut them to smaller pieces so they decompose quicker. Also added in leaves, paper towels and shredded paper.
862978
right now we are putting in egg shells bandanna peels left over veggies paper towels not spoiled by meat. coffee grounds and the paper filters. Things like that.
989754
The directions that come with the composter I think said a 3 parts water to one part tea... Not 100% confident.
2005923
It depends on the material used, how large the pieces are, and so forth. I can get compost out of my Lifetime tumbler in about three to four weeks, but I use a shredder and I prop the lid up a few inches with sticks to improve aeration. Fourteen to twenty-one days could be possible with the right material and ideal moisture condtions. I usually cycle my batches every five or six weeks when I'm keeping up with it.
1465427
Yes, it is the way to start. Add brown stuff, dried leaves, shredded cardboard and newspapers or compressed sawdust pellets (horse stall bedding from farming supply store) to the raw food scrapes. Watch John Kohler on growingyourgreens.com. He has about 800 viedioes on YouTube including several on the Joraform Composter.
1331494
http://www.amazon.com/Compostable-24-Ounce-Clear-Style-1000-Count/dp/B000VS6EFQ/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_23?ie=UTF8&refRID=1N7Z5NACR7N4CJCFHWAC
293437
Definitely wait until Spring! Adding this in the cold won't result in a significant increase in the composting speed. It would be better to so this before it gets cold to generate more heat and keep the pile active through the winter. If it is warm enough, do that, but if not it would be best to wait.
792231
I.have used the boc with Fresh Step and with Blue Buffalo litter. Blue Buffalo is made from ground walnuts and the box works well with botH Blue Buffalo is also a clumping litter
1622814
I purchased a compost starter as well as some "pine" cat litter. It takes a little time to figure out the proper balance of green and brown. I was primarily using kitchen green waste with paper towels, egg shells, etc. and it wasn't enough "brown" so I added the pine cat litter and ripped up newspaper and that kicked it off. I sometimes have to use a hot water bottle to keep the heat up as again, if the balance is off, it won't get going.
276723
Yes, you can put kitchen wastes in during winter - they just don't break down as fast or at all if it's very cold. If the composter is in a sunny spot the temp can get above freezing inside and the alternate freezing and thawing will also break down the material - just takes some nice summer heat to finish the process.
1400396
I took my bin to the compost bin and came in and rinsed it. I was able to pour 3 quarts + 3 cups of water into it before it was running over. I usually empty it when it has about 3 quarts of the ground pre-compost material. It is great!
1787799
I'm new to composting too. From what I've read you build a pile, let it heat & cure for a few weeks, then take it apart & start over using a portion of the compost from the cured batch to help start a new batch. Lots of info on the internet on how to do this.
1787800
Remove the Geobin and set it up again next to where it is now . Put the top of the pile into the now empty bin and the bottom is the compost you can use .
1932496
Are you referring to square foot gardening? If so... When filling your garden you mix 5 different types of compost to make up 1/3 of the mixture of blended compost, vermiculite/perlite and peat moss. If you are using a 4x4 garden you would need 2.6 cubic feet of blended compost (5 different kinds of compost). If you are replanting a square in an already prepared bed, just mix one trowel of compost or earthworm castings into the sq ft (small hand shovel) prior to sowing seeds or adding your transplants. Hope this has been helpful. :)
1787531
There are plenty of books on this topic - you need a mixture of things like kitchen scraps, yard waste like grass clippings or shredded leaves, and "brown" material like coffee chaff...and other things I can't remember right now. These are two books that I like: Easy Compost (Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guide)The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and ... most flavorful, nutritous vegetables ever. But I know some peoplw swear by the Rodale book. I found that one too dense. There are plenty of books on this topic - you need a mixture of things like kitchen scraps, yard waste like grass clippings or shredded leaves, and "brown" material like coffee chaff...and other things I can't remember right now. These are two books that I like: Easy Compost (Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guide)The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and... » Read More There are plenty of books on this topic - you need a mixture of things like kitchen scraps, yard waste like grass clippings or shredded leaves, and "brown" material like coffee chaff...and other things I can't remember right now. These are two books that I like: Easy Compost (Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guide)The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and ... most flavorful, nutritous vegetables ever. But I know some peoplw swear by the Rodale book. I found that one too dense. « Show Less
1848054
I know for small scrap booking ones they say to use aluminum foil. Your suppose to chop it up a few times. Not sure of this works, but it might help.
1999816
great for tea. I'd throw in some worm castings or compost as well at least. I sometimes make teas with a long list of ingredients, depending on what I'm using it for.
2282559
As a matter of not fast enough for me. I have a tumbler outside and have stopped using the bags because there are bags from months back still in-tack. I have a stainless steel counter composter on my counter I love. Yes it requires a good rinsing after emptying but no big deal. Have several boxes of these left will use for regular garbage at land fill.