Product Brochure

5
CARBON / NITROGEN RATIO
Any compost heap, whether using a fast method or a longer, slower process,
must begin with a good balance of materials. The basic makeup of the material
you start with will determine both the effectiveness and speed of the decaying
process. These materials also establish the nutrient content of the finished
compost.
You shouldn’t try to make compost with just one ingredient. The decomposition
process requires a proper mix of carbon and nitrogen – the C/N ratio – and that
ratio is rarely, if ever, found in one material alone. Microorganisms, which are
the decomposers, need carbon for energy and nitrogen for growth. Materials
high in carbon are generally brown and dry, while materials high in nitrogen are
usually fresh and green.
If there isn’t enough nitrogen, your load could sit for years without even starting
to decompose. On the other hand, too much nitrogen can result in the production
of ammonia gas that leaks out and disappears into the air – easily detected by its
smell.
The Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio...How to Get It Right, on page 14, will help you
understand how to get this ratio right – without a degree in chemistry! If you are
composting with only vegetation, a 4:1 ratio four fresh green to one dead brown
– is a good rule of thumb and an easy starting place. You will be able to make
adjustments in the first few days as you monitor your load.
AERATION
Since decomposition is a burning process, a good supply of oxygen is necessary
to keep it going. Turning the material in a compost heap to make sure enough air
gets to the burning core is an important part of the process.
The source of heat in an active compost heap is greatest at its center; each time
you turn the mixture it exposes more particles to the heat, therefore creating
faster decomposition.
The ventilation and aeration of the compost when made in the ComposTumbler
give you the greatest advantage over other methods. Instead of the time-
consuming, heavy labor involved in turning a compost heap with a pitchfork,
just a few turns of the drum will mix and aerate the entire compost batch. What
takes months or even years in a completely natural setting can take only days in
your controlled environment.
WHAT IS COMPOSTING?
Composting is the natural
reduction of organic wastes into
humus. All organic matter will
eventually break down into its
basic humus form, or in other
words, it will rot. Decomposition
is the decaying process aided
by millions of bacteria found
in organic materials. The
ComposTumbler simply provides a
way of control ling the process, and
therefore speeds it up.
The ComposTumbler will allow
you to make compost in as little as
14 days, or you can compost more
slowly over a longer period of
time, adding materials as you get
them.
The ComposTumbler will
allow you to make compost
in as little as 14 days...
The choice is yours – once you
understand the basic principles of
all composting you will be able
to compost successfully in many
different ways.
Soon you will see the many
benefits of composting. It is
nature’s magical way of improving
soil, controlling pH and enhancing
plant growth. It is your opportunity
to recycle a large portion of your
household waste, spare our nearly
full landfills – and save yourself
money.