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6
CHOOSE THE METHOD
THATS RIGHT FOR YOU!
There are many different ways to
compost, and you can do any of
them in your ComposTumbler with
a lot less work. If you have fresh
green and dead brown materials
that will combine to give you a
Carbon/Nitrogen ratio between
25:1 and 35:1, if you have enough
of them, and if you are willing to
spend three to ten minutes each day
monitoring your load, then you can
easily compost in 14 days.
You can do all of
them in your
ComposTumbler!
But, if you would rather build
your load more slowly, use smaller
amounts of materials, add them
each day or couple of days as
you get them; if you would rather
tumble it every couple of days
and you really do not want to
bother with taking the temperature
or using activator, then you can
compost more slowly over a longer
period of time.
You can also combine the two
processes: build a load more slowly
and when you have enough volume
loaded, boost it with an activator
or blood meal and “hot” compost it
over the next two weeks.
You can do all of this in your
ComposTumbler. Choose what is
right for you.
MOISTURE CONTENT
A compost heap should contain about 50% moisture in the overall mix–too
much or too little moisture will slow down the decomposition process. One way
to gauge the moisture level is to squeeze a handful of the material in your fist.
If it does not stick together to form a ball, there is not enough moisture. If liquid
squeezes out, there is too much. Check your load regularly for moisture content.
If the load is too dry, sprinkle it with a garden hose to restore the moisture
content. If there are signs of too much moisture (especially foul odors), add dry
materials such as sawdust or shredded dead leaves to absorb the excess.
MATERIAL SIZE
Breaking up or shredding the materials you plan to use in your compost has
two effects. It increases the surface area of the materials and it breaks or bruises
the skin of the plant material. This allows decomposers a place to enter and
results in a much faster breakdown – the smaller the pieces, the faster they will
decompose.
14-Day Hot Composting requires the shredding or breaking up of coarse
materials. A shredder is useful, although in most cases the materials you will be
using will break up well without special equipment. A lawn mower works very
well for shredding leaves and other soft organic material.
VOLUME
The amount of material you have readily available to load at one time will
determine how quickly your compost can be made. To compost in 14 days, you
must be able to fill the ComposTumbler at least 2/3 full all at one time. If you
do not have enough mass you will not be able to sustain the heat for the required
four to seven days.
If this is not possible, do not worry – you can still compost quite successfully
by filling the ComposTumbler more gradually. The composting will take a little
longer, but it will produce excellent compost. This method is covered under the
section “Slower Composting.”
AN EASY WAY TO CHECK FOR MOISTURE...
TOO WET TOO DRY JUST RIGHT