How to Make a Tumbler Compost Bin?
To make a free, standing tumbler compost
bin is more difficult than it sounds.
One simple but easy way to make tumbler compost bin is to make an
enclosure of wire netting a meter or more high, supported at corners
and at the centre of the long sides with stout stakes, just toss the
layers of material in when they become available. With this and the
free-standing heap, the exposed top and sides will still be whole and
fibrous when the inside of the heap is soft brown compost.
The principle is to lift the top layer and sides off, after 3 to 4
weeks, using this as the centre for another heap, then to pack the more
decomposed material from inside the heap around it.
In practice, most of us leave the heap until the inner material is
ready to use, taking the top and side to start the next one.
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I use three concrete bins as the tumbler
compost bin with moulded lattice-like sides, earthern base and
move-able boards or thin concrete slabs slotted down the front. One bin
is filling, another is maturing and the other available for use when
needed, When there are only few pruning; about it may take a month or
two to till one, but every so often 30 cm or so of green matter with
some organic complete plant food is added and generates a high enough
temperature to heat the pile.
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A few weeks after starting a new bin, I
add about a span-depth layer from the top of the Old one. This is then
covered with a thin layer of soil and a little straw to slow drying and
help the top material to mature. Another way, when you have a spots
bin, Is to fork the contents of the recently finished bin into it so
that what was formerly the less-matured top is then at the bottom and
the last used.
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Tumbler compost bin may take from 8 to 16
weeks to decompose fully to the soil-like stage for digging into the
soil or adding to potting mixtures. The period depends on temperatures,
moisture, the type of material used and whether manure, green grass or
activators are added. Even though a good percentage of the compos it
still fibrous, it is still very useful for surface mulching.
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For rapid soil improvement I like to
spread everything as it comes from the tumbler compost binover the
soil, then rake it over lightly several times. The coarse or still
fibrous material flora out is kit aside to use for surface mulching
after planting the finer remaining material it dug in.
Tumbler compost bin can produce a good ready to use compost within a
few weeks because of the easy daily turning and aeration. Before
investing in one it should be realized that all material used needs to
be shredded, otherwise whole weeds or even citrus skin halves will
gather material and form tight balls dump, turning action, it is also
necessary to avoid excessive moisture from green material or the mix
will not turn satisfactorily. Any large quantity of fress grass
clippings should be spread to dry for a few days sufficient sawdust
added to absorb condensation moisture.
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