Compost tumbler acquired. Now what?

[Smashlee83]

I received a compost tumbler from my step dad this weekend and I am excited to make some spring veggie garden gold. I am currently using the deep litter method in our coop with a combination of pine shavings and pelletized bedding. What else do I need to add to keep it balanced? We don't have a ton of veggie clippings left over because we feed them to parrot, chickens, ducks and tortoise.

 

[Sally PB]

Almost any plant waste is good. EXCEPT any plant that has seeds! Your compost might heat up enough to kill them, or it might not. Ask me how I know this? Trust me, I know this.

Google what to put in compost, and you'll find gobs of information. Use what you have available, ask neighbors for their yard waste.

We're coming up on autumn, and leaves are a rich source of carbon. Animal poop is a great source of nitrogen to break the leaves down. Plants and weeds from your garden are good too; DO NOT put in any plants that have diseases. For example, if your tomato plants died from blight, don't put them in the compost.

Does your tumbler have a hand crank to use to turn it? Mine does not. It sits half full of inaccessible stuff because I can't turn it.

 

[Smashlee83]

Almost any plant waste is good. EXCEPT any plant that has seeds! Your compost might heat up enough to kill them, or it might not. Ask me how I know this? Trust me, I know this.

Google what to put in compost, and you'll find gobs of information. Use what you have available, ask neighbors for their yard waste.

We're coming up on autumn, and leaves are a rich source of carbon. Animal poop is a great source of nitrogen to break the leaves down. Plants and weeds from your garden are good too; DO NOT put in any plants that have diseases. For example, if your tomato plants died from blight, don't put them in the compost.

Does your tumbler have a hand crank to use to turn it? Mine does not. It sits half full of inaccessible stuff because I can't turn it.

I do have 5 acres worth of grass clippings as well. Does the ratio of 1/2 chicken litter and 1/2 grass make sense?

The crank on my tumbler is broken but I think my husband is going to get it fixed for me.

 

[cmom]

Years ago we had a compost tumbler but now we just do piles. We put grass clipping in it as well as vegie scraps, the litter from the coops when we clean them, the chicken poop and spent (poopy) hay.

This was taken after the pile was turned. Almost ready to use.

 

[Boise-girls]

I do have 5 acres worth of grass clippings as well. Does the ratio of 1/2 chicken litter and 1/2 grass make sense?

The crank on my tumbler is broken but I think my husband is going to get it fixed for me.

Depends on whether your grass clippings are green or dry, and on how hot your chicken litter is. Green grass clippings and chicken poop are both hot, so you would want to include a lot of cold material if your litter is pretty hot, too - fallen leaves are the most commonly used. However, if you're clippings are all dried out, then your mix would probably be fine. You might have to experiment to get the perfect combo for your climate and situation!