Comments on: DIY Tumbling Compost Bin http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/ An experiment in Australian household sustainability Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:31:10 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-15119 Darren Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:24:56 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-15119 <p>@Philip: Let me know if you do! I'd be interested to see photos of what you end up with.</p> @Philip: Let me know if you do! I’d be interested to see photos of what you end up with.

]]> By: Philip http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-15088 Philip Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:36:38 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-15088 <p>Darren, thanks for the feedback! I ordered the drum already and am in the prozess of researching the best/easiest framework. Maybe I'll blog about it, when it finished...</p> Darren, thanks for the feedback! I ordered the drum already and am in the prozess of researching the best/easiest framework. Maybe I’ll blog about it, when it finished…

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-15086 Darren Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:31:37 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-15086 <p>@Philip: Go for it! I've seen people drill holes in either end of the barrel and put a pipe through so they can mount it horizontally off the ground between two posts (a bit like a pig on a spit). They then use a jigsaw to cut a square door out of the side of the barrel, and attach it back on with hinges and a catch. Looks good. No, I don't put worms in the barrel - like you guessed, it gets too hot.</p> @Philip: Go for it! I’ve seen people drill holes in either end of the barrel and put a pipe through so they can mount it horizontally off the ground between two posts (a bit like a pig on a spit). They then use a jigsaw to cut a square door out of the side of the barrel, and attach it back on with hinges and a catch. Looks good. No, I don’t put worms in the barrel – like you guessed, it gets too hot.

]]> By: Philip http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-15062 Philip Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:42:06 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-15062 <p>Very good Article! I will do the same! I might hoist the drum up on a framework, so that I can tumble the compost easier (with ballbearings). Lets see how much this will increase costs... Do you put any compost worms into the barrel or does it get too hot for compost worms?</p> Very good Article! I will do the same! I might hoist the drum up on a framework, so that I can tumble the compost easier (with ballbearings). Lets see how much this will increase costs… Do you put any compost worms into the barrel or does it get too hot for compost worms?

]]> By: Amy http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-10197 Amy Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:39:40 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-10197 <p>Cool thanks Darren, Im looking forward to it :)</p> Cool thanks Darren, Im looking forward to it :)

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-10164 Darren Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:50:37 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-10164 <p>@amy: This type of compost bin is best to do in batches, preferably with the material shredded or chopped into fairly small pieces first (like lawn clippings, manure, shredded leaves and prunings, etc). That way it will heat up well and break down quickly. I use a normal cold composting bin for kitchen scraps, since we have a low volume but constant supply of them. That said, running two at once should work fine for what you're after. I put all my grass clippings in - they're high in nitrogen, so make sure you balance them with some carbon like dry leaves or sawdust.</p> @amy: This type of compost bin is best to do in batches, preferably with the material shredded or chopped into fairly small pieces first (like lawn clippings, manure, shredded leaves and prunings, etc). That way it will heat up well and break down quickly. I use a normal cold composting bin for kitchen scraps, since we have a low volume but constant supply of them. That said, running two at once should work fine for what you’re after. I put all my grass clippings in – they’re high in nitrogen, so make sure you balance them with some carbon like dry leaves or sawdust.

]]> By: amy http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-10157 amy Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:21:58 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-10157 <p>Hi Im new to gardening and am focusing on my garden staying organic, I would love to make a compost bin and like your idea, can you just have one barrel or do you need at least two so your not adding new produce to the already composting material? or do you just take whats composted on the bottom and put that on your garden? does it matter if you put heaps of grass clippings in there?</p> Hi Im new to gardening and am focusing on my garden staying organic, I would love to make a compost bin and like your idea, can you just have one barrel or do you need at least two so your not adding new produce to the already composting material? or do you just take whats composted on the bottom and put that on your garden? does it matter if you put heaps of grass clippings in there?

]]> By: Garden ’siteseeing’ in Australia, Alaska, Florida, and New York | csmonitor.com http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-6646 Garden ’siteseeing’ in Australia, Alaska, Florida, and New York | csmonitor.com Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:15:04 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-6646 <p>[...] speaking of gardening, read about their inexpensive do-it-yourself tumbling compost [...]</p> [...] speaking of gardening, read about their inexpensive do-it-yourself tumbling compost [...]

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-6476 Darren Sat, 30 May 2009 11:09:30 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-6476 <p>@Johnnymac66: No, worms are not a key ingredient for composting, although they can be incorporated as an ingredient in some composting approaches. This particular method is hot-composting, where bacteria and microorganisms do the hard work breaking vegetable matter down for you. It's rapid, but you need to keep the air, water, nitrogen and carbon ratios right for it to work, and the ingredients need to be chopped up small so each particle has large surface area and small volume. Using a worm farm is another effective approach, as is a cold compost pile that will likely involve worms eating some of the organic matter. These tend to take longer, though.</p> @Johnnymac66: No, worms are not a key ingredient for composting, although they can be incorporated as an ingredient in some composting approaches. This particular method is hot-composting, where bacteria and microorganisms do the hard work breaking vegetable matter down for you. It’s rapid, but you need to keep the air, water, nitrogen and carbon ratios right for it to work, and the ingredients need to be chopped up small so each particle has large surface area and small volume. Using a worm farm is another effective approach, as is a cold compost pile that will likely involve worms eating some of the organic matter. These tend to take longer, though.

]]> By: Johnnnymac66 http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-6428 Johnnnymac66 Fri, 29 May 2009 04:11:08 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-6428 <p>Darren, I thought that worms were a key ingredient in any successful compost bin. This is the first year we're giving it a sincere effort. We have a free standing compost bin that has been in our yard--empty--for 8 years, and want to do our part to "green up" our methods. Our house and the park across the street from us are the backdrop for many a wedding picture this time of year; we know we can do better if we're recycling nourishment back into our soil.</p> Darren, I thought that worms were a key ingredient in any successful compost bin. This is the first year we’re giving it a sincere effort. We have a free standing compost bin that has been in our yard–empty–for 8 years, and want to do our part to “green up” our methods. Our house and the park across the street from us are the backdrop for many a wedding picture this time of year; we know we can do better if we’re recycling nourishment back into our soil.

]]> By: All Things Eco Blog Carnival Volume Fifty | Focus Organic.com http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-5690 All Things Eco Blog Carnival Volume Fifty | Focus Organic.com Mon, 11 May 2009 17:24:27 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-5690 <p>[...] vulnerable to the chemicals in bath products and in the environment." Darren Collins presents DIY Tumbling Compost Bin posted at Green-Change.com. Darren says, "Tumbling compost bins are a great, fast way to make [...]</p> [...] vulnerable to the chemicals in bath products and in the environment.” Darren Collins presents DIY Tumbling Compost Bin posted at Green-Change.com. Darren says, “Tumbling compost bins are a great, fast way to make [...]

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-5654 Darren Sun, 10 May 2009 12:38:35 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-5654 <p>@Wilson: Thanks :-). $300 buys a lot of plants for the garden!</p> @Wilson: Thanks :-) . $300 buys a lot of plants for the garden!

]]> By: Wilson Pon http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-5644 Wilson Pon Sun, 10 May 2009 07:45:07 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-5644 <p>Darren, I think you're not only a vivid garderner/eco-greener, but you're also a smart man, especially with it related with the money matter! Go figure, with the $300, you can buy 12 large PVC drums!</p> Darren, I think you’re not only a vivid garderner/eco-greener, but you’re also a smart man, especially with it related with the money matter! Go figure, with the $300, you can buy 12 large PVC drums!

]]> By: Sudeep http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-5207 Sudeep Wed, 06 May 2009 18:45:52 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-5207 <p>Wicked Idea that all i would like to call this idea.Thanks for sharing with us . Regards Sudeep</p> Wicked Idea that all i would like to call this idea.Thanks for sharing with us . Regards Sudeep

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-5081 Darren Wed, 06 May 2009 01:57:21 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-5081 <p>@Tricia: Let me know how it goes if you try it!</p> <p>@Tim: Great to meet you! There's some good stuff going on locally here now. I have a couple of those traditional plastic compost bins as well. I tend to use them as a batch system, filling one up then letting it sit, while starting to fill the other. I've also got a metal corkscrew-type device that you screw down into the compost, then pull up to mix and aerate the contents. It's fantastic, and really helps the heap mature properly. Without it, mine were just turning into a damp, smelly, slimy mess. They're a lot better now.</p> <p>@Deb: Thanks for the tip on where to get them! Should be good for Sydney readers. Post on your blog if you convert it into a compost bin - I'd be interested to hear your experiences.</p> @Tricia: Let me know how it goes if you try it!

@Tim: Great to meet you! There’s some good stuff going on locally here now. I have a couple of those traditional plastic compost bins as well. I tend to use them as a batch system, filling one up then letting it sit, while starting to fill the other. I’ve also got a metal corkscrew-type device that you screw down into the compost, then pull up to mix and aerate the contents. It’s fantastic, and really helps the heap mature properly. Without it, mine were just turning into a damp, smelly, slimy mess. They’re a lot better now.

@Deb: Thanks for the tip on where to get them! Should be good for Sydney readers. Post on your blog if you convert it into a compost bin – I’d be interested to hear your experiences.

]]> By: Deb http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-5069 Deb Wed, 06 May 2009 00:25:02 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-5069 <p>What a great tip, I bought one of those tubs recently because it looked good for water storage but haven't done anything with it. I think I will definitely turn it into a tumbler. Thanks Darren</p> <p>BTW Enfield Produce in Sydney have them for about $18</p> What a great tip, I bought one of those tubs recently because it looked good for water storage but haven’t done anything with it. I think I will definitely turn it into a tumbler. Thanks Darren

BTW Enfield Produce in Sydney have them for about $18

]]> By: Tim http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-5063 Tim Tue, 05 May 2009 23:41:41 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-5063 <p>G’Day Darren, I recently found your blog and have been reading through it with interest. I grew up around Wollongong/Shellharbour but now live around 3-4 hours west.</p> <p>Your take on the tumbling compost bin seems to be a good cheap alternative to the commercial equivalents. I recall seeing some of those plastic drums for sale but can’t remember where.</p> <p>I have two commercially bought plastic compost bins but have been very disappointed with the results. Part of the problem is probably my own incompetence in mixing the right ingredients, but I also find it hard to turn over the contents due to the height and the shape of the bins. It is also difficult to access what little compost IS produced through the little sliding doors at the bottom. There’s barely enough room to get the spade inside, so extracting it again with a quantity of compost is very difficult.</p> <p>I am now considering using the current contents of the bin (even though it has not completely broken down) as the bottom layer in a no-dig garden; maybe even digging it into a trench. Hopefully that latter approach will help to partially deal with the heavy clay soil in my garden.</p> <p>Regards Tim</p> G’Day Darren, I recently found your blog and have been reading through it with interest. I grew up around Wollongong/Shellharbour but now live around 3-4 hours west.

Your take on the tumbling compost bin seems to be a good cheap alternative to the commercial equivalents. I recall seeing some of those plastic drums for sale but can’t remember where.

I have two commercially bought plastic compost bins but have been very disappointed with the results. Part of the problem is probably my own incompetence in mixing the right ingredients, but I also find it hard to turn over the contents due to the height and the shape of the bins. It is also difficult to access what little compost IS produced through the little sliding doors at the bottom. There’s barely enough room to get the spade inside, so extracting it again with a quantity of compost is very difficult.

I am now considering using the current contents of the bin (even though it has not completely broken down) as the bottom layer in a no-dig garden; maybe even digging it into a trench. Hopefully that latter approach will help to partially deal with the heavy clay soil in my garden.

Regards Tim

]]> By: Tricia http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-5055 Tricia Tue, 05 May 2009 22:26:04 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-5055 <p>Thanks for the detail! I'll definately keep an eye out for a barrel like this and give it a go. Cheers, Tricia</p> Thanks for the detail! I’ll definately keep an eye out for a barrel like this and give it a go. Cheers, Tricia

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-5051 Darren Tue, 05 May 2009 22:02:54 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-5051 <p>@Mrs Green: Yep, it works well. It's exactly the same as a tumbling composter, just without the frame for rotating it. I like it that way, though, as I can move it around the yard and it doesn't take up as much space. I have seen people mount these or 44 gallon drums between posts so they're more like the commercial tumblers, but then they're pretty much in a permanent position.</p> @Mrs Green: Yep, it works well. It’s exactly the same as a tumbling composter, just without the frame for rotating it. I like it that way, though, as I can move it around the yard and it doesn’t take up as much space. I have seen people mount these or 44 gallon drums between posts so they’re more like the commercial tumblers, but then they’re pretty much in a permanent position.

]]> By: Mrs Green http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-4987 Mrs Green Tue, 05 May 2009 13:25:24 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-4987 <p>sounds amazing. I admit, I'm sceptical to think that it might work, but it seems it does! We just bought another rain barrel this morning; perhaps I'll go and get another one to use as a tumbling composter!</p> <p>Glad it's working out for you.</p> sounds amazing. I admit, I’m sceptical to think that it might work, but it seems it does! We just bought another rain barrel this morning; perhaps I’ll go and get another one to use as a tumbling composter!

Glad it’s working out for you.

]]> By: John P http://green-change.com/2009/05/05/diy-tumbling-compost-bin/#comment-4982 John P Tue, 05 May 2009 12:49:42 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=980#comment-4982 <p>Gardening is so relaxing and a wonderful way to spend time outdoors. It is one of my</p> <p>favorite hobbies that I love to share with others online! Thanks for taking the time to</p> <p>write this post, I always learn so much about gardening from many different sources online!</p> <p><a href="http://www.gardenmanuals.com/index.php/planting-flowers/buy-orchids-online" rel="nofollow">:)</a></p> Gardening is so relaxing and a wonderful way to spend time outdoors. It is one of my

favorite hobbies that I love to share with others online! Thanks for taking the time to

write this post, I always learn so much about gardening from many different sources online!

:)

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