Composting in a Tumbler - Ask Extension
Hello,
Our HOA (only 21 homes) just started a small raised bed community garden in Arvada. We currently only have 5 households participating.
I...
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Composting in a Tumbler #843105
Asked July 28, 2023, 4:49 PM EDT
Hello,
Our HOA (only 21 homes) just started a small raised bed community garden in Arvada. We currently only have 5 households participating.
I could use some instruction on composting. I was given a compost tumbler and 4 additional good sized trash barrels (2 plastic, 1 w/brown leaves, and 2 aluminum barrels that are empty), from a friend who is selling her house and liquidating all of her belongings.
1. Is the tumbler a good way to compost given worms can't get into it? Can we add worms ourselves? It seems a good way to keep critters out and help keep the rest of the HOA homeowners happy with us.
2. I'm new at this, but plan to manage the composting myself and could use some specific instructions to share with the other gardeners.
3. Could someone call or come visit to better understand our situation?
There's a lot of info on the internet and YT, but it's hard to find information to create guidelines for our specific situation.
Thanks for all you do!
Amy Smith<personal data hidden>
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Dear Amy,
Great questions concerning a great topic. I started out with a tumbler and still use one. It does keep the mess under control and makes it easy to mix the contents. I now also have a 'heap' of compost, it does tend to get messy and if you are dealing with an HOA, I would recommend you stick with the tumbler. Unfortunately, with our dry climate I would not recommend adding compost worms (red wigglers) to a tumbler. Keeping the compost moist and turning the tumbler every few days should help speed up the process.
The following articles give good science based information on how to get started:
https://extension.illinois.edu/soil/composting
https://schenectady.cce.cornell.edu/gardening/compost-resources
Please read these through and let us know if you have further questions.
Best regards,
Cindy
Colorado Master Gardener
Great questions concerning a great topic. I started out with a tumbler and still use one. It does keep the mess under control and makes it easy to mix the contents. I now also have a 'heap' of compost, it does tend to get messy and if you are dealing with an HOA, I would recommend you stick with the tumbler. Unfortunately, with our dry climate I would not recommend adding compost worms (red wigglers) to a tumbler. Keeping the compost moist and turning the tumbler every few days should help speed up the process.
The following articles give good science based information on how to get started:
https://extension.illinois.edu/soil/composting
https://schenectady.cce.cornell.edu/gardening/compost-resources
Please read these through and let us know if you have further questions.
Best regards,
Cindy
Colorado Master Gardener
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for the information you provided here.
On the 2nd link you provided - Outdoor Composting & Choose Your Compost Bin - the chart says:
A tumbler will shorten the first phase of composting from 6 months to 8 weeks. After that, they still require about 6 months of curing before the material is ready for contact with plants.
I’m surprised to hear that it takes an additional "6 months of curing before the material is ready for contact with plants". I’ve never heard of that before. Does that sound right?
Thanks,
Amy
On Jul 31, 2023, at 2:17 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hi Amy,
This is a great question. Yes, a "curing" process is recommended for compost, especially if you've included manure in the part of your compost. In our CSU Factsheet "Composting Yard Waste," we recommend curing compost for at least 2-4 months, especially if you're planning to use it in any food-related gardening applications (like vegetable gardening).
I hope this helps, and please let us know if you have other questions!
Sincerely,
The Colorado Master Gardeners
