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BATCH COMPOSTING
C. When chamber 1 is full, let it cure
and start adding new raw material
to chamber 2.
D. To empty a cured batch:
METHOD 1
- Place a wheelbarrel beside the composter.
- Rotate composter so the doors are lined up
with the wheelbarrel.
- Slide door to open chamber with the cured content.
- Transfer the cured compost to the wheelbarrel
using a trowel or rake.
METHOD 2
- Place a small tarp or plastic sheet on the ground.
- Rotate composter so the doors are at the bottom.
- Slide door to open chamber with the cured content.
Opening the door between the leg-stand will lock the rotation.
- Gently tap sides to loosen the compost. Cured compost will fall out.
- Close door and rotate it to an upright position.
- Slide the tarp out.
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CHECKING THE PROCESS
After 2 or 3 days, check your mix to see if it is getting hot. When your mix is hot, the
beneficial organisms are multiplying and doing their job decomposing materials. Turning
the composter 5 to 10 times every 2 or 3 days will mix the materials and keep the process
active. Squeeze a handful of compost to ensure the materials are not drying out. If it feels
like a damp sponge, the water level is fine – if it feels dry, add a little more water (be
careful not to add too much) and turn the composter to mix well.
Depending on the material you added, your compost should be ready in 2 to 8 weeks.
Finished compost will contain fine and coarse material. For a fine blend, sift the compost
to use in potting mixes. Use the coarser compost as a nutritious top-dressing around
outdoor plantings or till directly into your garden! You may also use finished compost as
a starter for your next batch, or to heat up a batch that cooled too quickly.
To remove the finished compost, turn the barrel of the composter so the door is facing
the ground and slide the door away from the chamber you want to empty. Make sure part
of the door is still covering the unfinished side, which may not be ready to be emptied.
COMPOSTING TIPS
3 RULES OF COMPOSTING
1) Quality Materials and Proper Ratio of Greens (Nitrogen) to Browns (Carbon) –
approximately, 2 parts greens to 1 part browns
2) Consistent Moisture - mix should feel like a damp sponge
3) Good Air Circulation – turn the composter every few days after the batch heats up to
help aerate mix and encourage faster decomposition
Leave grass clippings on your lawn or use them as mulch. This is an excellent source of
nitrogen and helps absorb water.
Small shredded materials decompose faster. Run your lawnmower over pine needles or
leaves and cut up kitchen scraps to speed up the composting process.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
1) Compost mix does not heat up:
- mix is too wet – add dry browns
- mix is too dry – add water
- mix ratio is off –check green/brown ratio and add accordingly
2) Odor
- ammonia smell means too much nitrogen (greens) – add dry browns
- putrid smell (like rotten eggs) means mix is too wet and/or not enough oxygen –
add dry browns to absorb excessive moisture and turn composter
3) Problems with pests/insects
- rodents are attracted to meat and fatty foods – remove them
- flies/insects are attracted to uncovered wastes, especially kitchen scraps –
mix or cover with brown materials or finished compost
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