How long does it take to finish one pile? If I start using it in April, when can we expect usable compost?
1942846
This is a difficult question to answer since there are SO many variables in the process (temp, green and brown mix, type of material, how often you are adding to and checking the compost, etc...). I started one side of the composter and kept adding to it for many weeks (the material will break down and take up less space as you go). Once it was about 3/4 full I switched to the other side and let the original side continue to compost while adding to the other side. Once the second side got 3/4 full I emptied the original side of it's composted material. I probably added 2 gallons of material 3 times per week and it took me about 6 months to get to the point of emptying the original side. This is a difficult question to answer since there are SO many variables in the process (temp, green and brown mix, type of material, how often you are adding to and checking the compost, etc...). I started one side of the composter and kept adding to it for many weeks (the material will break down and take up less space as you go). Once it was about 3/4 full I switched to the other side and let the original side continue to compost while adding to the other side. Once the second side got 3/4 full I emptied the original side of it's composted material. I probably added 2 gallons of material... » Read More This is a difficult question to answer since there are SO many variables in the process (temp, green and brown mix, type of material, how often you are adding to and checking the compost, etc...). I started one side of the composter and kept adding to it for many weeks (the material will break down and take up less space as you go). Once it was about 3/4 full I switched to the other side and let the original side continue to compost while adding to the other side. Once the second side got 3/4 full I emptied the original side of it's composted material. I probably added 2 gallons of material 3 times per week and it took me about 6 months to get to the point of emptying the original side. « Show Less
1942847
The compost tumbler has two chambers. On average it takes 4-6 weeks to fill a chamber. Once filled you start filling the second chamber. Once the second chamber is full the kitchen scraps in the first chamber has had a long time to break down into fine compost. You then empty the first chamber and continue filling it alternating the chambers. So the first time you use the composter you might have to wait 8-12 weeks before you get actual compost but after that initial face the. You'll get compost every 4-6 weeks depending on how much you use it and if you have bough kitchen scraps to fill it on a daily basis. The compost tumbler has two chambers. On average it takes 4-6 weeks to fill a chamber. Once filled you start filling the second chamber. Once the second chamber is full the kitchen scraps in the first chamber has had a long time to break down into fine compost. You then empty the first chamber and continue filling it alternating the chambers. So the first time you use the composter you might have to wait 8-12 weeks before you get actual compost but after that initial face the. You'll get compost every 4-6 weeks depending on how much you use it and if you have bough kitchen scraps to fill it... » Read More The compost tumbler has two chambers. On average it takes 4-6 weeks to fill a chamber. Once filled you start filling the second chamber. Once the second chamber is full the kitchen scraps in the first chamber has had a long time to break down into fine compost. You then empty the first chamber and continue filling it alternating the chambers. So the first time you use the composter you might have to wait 8-12 weeks before you get actual compost but after that initial face the. You'll get compost every 4-6 weeks depending on how much you use it and if you have bough kitchen scraps to fill it on a daily basis. « Show Less
1942848
We have found that it really depends on the temperature. The hotter it is the faster it will compost. We also recommend using Compost Starter which can be purchased at any home improvement store. It speeds the process up. During the summer months we have gotten several loads of compost from each side.
1942849
It really depends on what you put into it, how often you turn it and the warmth of your climate. We are in Illinois and I get a batch by the end of the growing season. When I till my garden in the fall, I till in my batch of compost. It's one of our 5 composters and also one of the best.
1942850
Raak,Can't give you a fersur time line, I would say when it looks right and smells right. I know in the research I read people were saying 4 weeks, but I think you just have to experiment. I have two of these and I have taken some out of my original, but add back the stuff that doesn't look right to me. Of course you have to take into account for ambient temp. I live in LA in the swamps, nice and hot, but humidity is a factor. All I can do is recommend the quality, the function like I say seems to me rule of green thumb! Good Luck.
1942851
It will depend on how often you put things in it and sustain the heat. But in general, I bought it last year and was able to generate some nice compost within 6 weeks. I have it filled now - both sides and didn't really tumble throughout the cold winter and have yet to break into it, so I'm excited to see. Since it heats up faster than others, it truely is a faster compost cycle, but I'm new at it. I love it and highly recommend it. Can't wait to use what I have for this Spring and start some fresh. Enjoy!
1597640
Most people use 1 or 2 pounds per 10 square feet , I on the other do not use the Azomite in that manner. I mix 1 whole bag per 160ibs of compost and organic soil. Yes you can apply the Azomite a month before planting in your soil.
1407925
Just turn the compost every few weeks. Shouldn't be a problem. Check your ratio of brown material to green.
398399
I had the same question when I got my bag, which wants you to use the whole thing at once. So I asked a farmer friend; he recommended half an ounce per gallon of compost. Hope this helps!
568328
I don't know. I am apparently going something wrong since it has been six weeks and nothing seems to be making compost. I need to research on it myself.
2086334
If you keep enough moisture in compost it will be alright. Best if you do some research on composting on the internet. Our units are about 15 to 20 feet from them house and we have two right next to each other and have no problem.
1591429
When you have nice compost. :) I have to say I am not impressed with the compost making ability as I have not gotten any! Switching back to my composting on the ground.
1367297
I have a compost heap out in my back yard. I take stuff out to it all year long. Some people have 2. One cooking and one building. You can do it however you like, obviously.
794736
I remember researching the composer on the Internet and was able to find the cubic space and compare it. I had a different composer for a long time. Even though it was a similar size, it didn't come close to holding what this one holds due to its inner construction. Composted waste for 2 people and it's been taking about 3-4 months to fill this thing. Love it.
1539864
Absolutely, you want to fill the hopper ¾ full with dry leaves and slowly push them down with a soft wood stick. Have a pan underneath the machine to collect the mulch. For material I am going to compost, I run it through the machine twice. Great machine that reduces my compost time from 3 months to 10 days
909783
i haven't used my bags yet. next month i will try to fill them. if you go to you tube and find john kohler growing your greens it shows him filling one. he mixes his soil with other items so your soil will not be so heavy and it can drain better. let me know how it works. good luck
2005052
It's a great little composting bin for the first time composter. It can take a while depending on how you care for it. It definitely allows for breakdown if you turn it regularly and water it regularly. I put every stray worm I can find in there too to help out the process. I didn't have compost material after using it for 4 months but have had this for about a year now and have compost material for our garden this Spring.
1812436
For one bed, I'm pretty sure it took about 8 or 9 bags (40 pound bags, I think) to fill it up to about 4 inches from the top of the bed. I absolutely LOVE these garden beds. Very easy to put together too. After I put mine together, I stapled the weed preventative cloth around the bottom. I was planting on an area that had weeds and I didn't want them in my garden. It worked out perfectly. I hope you get one Julie. I don't think you will be disappointed. VERY EASY to grow! I can't wait to plant once the weather clears out. If you do buy a bed, good luck with yours!
1138082
It greatly depends on the size of worms, what you are using for bedding, and the size of composter. I would start with 200 worms and moist shredded paper and just add a small amount of fruit peel. I just learned they will repopulate more rapidly if there are less worms.
2282558
For some context, in big question is temperature. It sounds like these bags require a hot pile to degrade. A "hot" compost pile (>160F) requires approx a cubic yard of material plus frequent turning or good air suplly, to get that hot. That's more material (and work!) than most people / households have available.
1663664
I have owned this product since early spring and used it throughout the summer. A couple of weeks ago, I took out my spring/ summer plants and emptied it completely. Then, I put all new soil in so I could plant a mum and some pansies. In other words, this information is fresh in my mind. I bought a 2 cu ft bag of Miracle Grow's Garden Soil, and used ALMOST the entire bag. I had just enough left over to fill a couple of pots. So, my answer is that this requires a little less than 2 cu. ft. Hope that helps!
427120
Since the area I live gets a lot of rainfall, the compost settles fast and gets heavy, I usually pick up by hand or with a craw the compost until it is about half full, then I pick up the bin. I move the bin over and refill with compost. Since most of my compost is oak leaves, it takes quite a while for my compost to be completed. I have 2 of these bins. When the compost was completed (took almost 8 months), I had 1/3 of my garden area filled with compost. I threw a potato that was turning green into the compost and within 4 days, I had it sprouting!