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5. Once each day check your compost for appearance and to see if balls are
forming. “Balling up” is just what the term implies: as a result of the tumbling
and circular turning of the materials in the drum, some of them form into tight
little balls, ranging in size from about one to three inches in diameter. This
problem occurs almost exclusively with fresh grass clippings.
A little balling up is not a major concern, but if it is excessive the material in
the center of each ball is insulated from the heat and bacterial action and may
not decompose properly.
ADJUSTMENTS
Each day pull apart what balls you can see; this will only take a few minutes
but will make quite a difference in the finished product.
The addition of some wood chips will also help to eliminate some of the
balling, but don’t expect the wood chips to decompose–they will still be
present in your finished compost. It is important to understand that although
compost made primarily with grass and yard vegetation is rather clumpy, it
will provide the nutrients and improve the soil structure just as effectively as
the compost that you can buy.
6. Once each day rotate the drum five complete revolutions throughout the
14-day cycle. The design of the ComposTumbler takes the hard work out
of composting, and five revolutions are sufficient for thorough mixing and
aerating. Do not turn the load more than once each day.
7. When you are finished rotating the drum, position the door face down. This
step places the aeration/drainage units at the bottom of the drum and the warm
air screens at the top.
8. About the sixth or seventh day fine material may begin to build up around
the aeration/drainage units on the door. Remove the door and wither hose or
scrape this build-up away.
C. UNLOADING THE DRUM
1. Depending on which model you own , to unload the processed compost
from your ComposTumbler, just place a wheelbarrow or garden cart under
the drum. Remove the door and rotate the drum until the dark, rich, superior
compost pours out... ready for use wherever you want it!
Note: A sifter screen is available as an optional accessory for some models.
When the compost is finished you can use the sifter screen in place of the door,
so that as you tumble the materials the smaller pieces fall through first. If you
have further questions or if you would like to purchase a sifter screen, please call
one of our Customer Service representatives or call your local supplier.
FACTS YOU SHOULD
KNOW ABOUT “HOT
COMPOSTING”
TEMPERATURE
Monitoring the temperature of your
materials will tell you a lot about
how your compost is progressing.
In a way, the temperature
measures bacterial activity and
decomposition, for as decay
organisms feed on the organic
material they make the temperature
of your compost rise.
Monitoring the temperature
of your materials will tell
you a lot about how your
compost is progressing.
As you tumble the materials, it
introduces new food and air into
the “activity center,” which is the
heat core of the load.
A temperature of 149-158ºF
(65-70ºC) over a two to three
day period will kill the majority
of weed seeds. After several
days, the microorganisms have
devoured most of the food and
the temperature will slowly and
steadily begin to drop.