Knowledgebase
Compost Bin #925899
Asked March 12, 2026, 11:22 AM EDT
Delaware County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Dennis !
Glad to see that you are interested in composting, which is so beneficial for gardening and for the environment.
Tumblers are certainly a good option for the 3 cubic square space that you have. Tumblers have certain benefits, including reduced exposure to rodents, overall cleanliness of appearance and ease of turning the compost.
The downside of tumblers is that you may incorporate less waste than you would using a bin or a pile in that space and of course, the purchase price is probably higher than that of bin construction.
Beware of some unique facets of tumbler use – they benefit from regular turning (1x/week or so) and also by cutting or shredding waste materials to fit into the tumbler and to compost more quickly. Placing the tumbler in a sunny spot speeds the compost process. From my experience in northern Ohio, I have very little composting in my 22 gallon tumbler during Dec-February, and I have learned that a double-walled tumbler might have been a better choice for my climate – or finding a sunnier spot ! However, it still meets my needs, although composts a bit slower than I would prefer. If you are in southern Ohio, that might not be as much an issue. If you are in northern Ohio, you might consider a double-walled tumbler.
A 20-22 gallon tumbler would probably best fit your space, depending upon the dimensions of the tumbler and its turning handle. Unfortunately we are not allowed to give specific brand recommendations.
If you prefer to try a less expensive but similar method than a tumbler (although some tumblers can be purchased used when people move), you can use a garbage can with holes cut into it, as described in the first link listed below. The following links provide more information on this topic.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1189-99
Best of luck to you in your 2026 composting year !
Hi Dennis !
Glad to see that you are interested in composting, which is so beneficial for gardening and for the environment.
Tumblers are certainly a good option for the 3 cubic square space that you have. Tumblers have certain benefits, including reduced exposure to rodents, overall cleanliness of appearance and ease of turning the compost.
The downside of tumblers is that you may incorporate less waste than you would using a bin or a pile in that space and of course, the purchase price is probably higher than that of bin construction.
Beware of some unique facets of tumbler use – they benefit from regular turning (1x/week or so) and also by cutting or shredding waste materials to fit into the tumbler and to compost more quickly. Placing the tumbler in a sunny spot speeds the compost process. From my experience in northern Ohio, I have very little composting in my 22 gallon tumbler during Dec-February, and I have learned that a double-walled tumbler might have been a better choice for my climate – or finding a sunnier spot ! However, it still meets my needs, although composts a bit slower than I would prefer. If you are in southern Ohio, that might not be as much an issue. If you are in northern Ohio, you might consider a double-walled tumbler.
A 20-22 gallon tumbler would probably best fit your space, depending upon the dimensions of the tumbler and its turning handle. Unfortunately we are not allowed to give specific brand recommendations.
If you prefer to try a less expensive but similar method than a tumbler (although some tumblers can be purchased used when people move), you can use a garbage can with holes cut into it, as described in the first link listed below. The following links provide more information on this topic.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1189-99
Best of luck to you in your 2026 composting year !
