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13
RECIPES FOR YOUR FIRST
BATCH OF COMPOST
Although this booklet includes additional recipes, we strongly
recommend that you use one of the following recipes for your first
batch. These recipes are very simple and include materials that
naturally heat well.
Experiencing one typical hot composting cycle is a valuable learning tool for
later batches, when you may want to experiment with different ingredients.
It will also give you your first load of nutrient-rich, healthy compost for your
garden. Choose the trial batch that best fits the current season.
SPRING AND SUMMER – FIRST TRIAL BATCH
ComposTumbler Fresh Green Material Dead Brown Material
Original ComposTumbler 120 gallons (450 liters) 28 gallons (105 liters)
Compact ComposTumbler 70 gallons (265 liters) 14 gallons (50 liters)
Back Porch ComposTumbler 35 gallons (132 liters) 7 gallons (25 liters)
Easy Spin ComposTumbler 35 gallons (132 liters) 7 gallons (25 liters)
Note: Both of the spring and summer recipes are based upon a 4:1 ratio of fresh
material to dead material. When using only vegetation this ratio is a good rule of
thumb.
AUTUMN – FIRST TRIAL BATCH
These autumn recipes will help you compost your leaves when grass and other
high-nitrogen sources are no longer readily available.
ComposTumbler Dead Brown Material
Blood or Alfalfa Meal
Original ComposTumbler
137-168 gallons
(520-635 liters)
5-6 lbs (2-3 kg)
Compact ComposTumbler 83 gallons (315 liters) 2 1/2-3 lbs (1-1 1/2 kg)
Back Porch ComposTumbler 40 gallons (150 liters) 1-1 1/2 lbs (1/2-3/4 kg)
Easy Spin ComposTumbler 40 gallons (150 liters) 1-1 1/2 lbs (1/2-3/4 kg)
*Remember, as you monitor your load daily, you will be able to make
adjustments.
Moisten the shredded leaves before loading so that you do not “wash out” the
blood or alfalfa meal. Layer the leaves with the meal, tumbling occasionally to
be sure they are well-mixed. If the materials still seem too dry, lightly sprinkle
them with additional water.
See “14-Day Hot Composting” on page 8 for step by step instructions on how to
process your trial batch.
Additional “Sure-Fire Recipes” are found on page 17.
WHEN IS YOUR
COMPOST FINISHED?
If you are using a hot composting
method you will need to monitor
the daily temperature readings so
that you can make sure the materi-
als have gone through a period of
high heating (four to seven days)
and a period of gradual cool-down
(seven to ten days). The time it
takes to complete this process
It is done when its internal
core temperature is back
down to the outside
temperature during a cool
part of the day.
is not necessarily 14 days; your
compost is done when its internal
core temperature is back down to
the outside temperature during a
cool part of the day.
Other signs of being finished are
major loss of volume (at least
50%), a dark brown or black
colour and an earthy, wet-mulch
smell. When you are using one of
the slower composting methods
these will be your signals that your
compost is ready.