Compost Tumbler - A Honey Do Tutorial

This post has moved to Belle and Ivy.






Here is a little something to add to your honey do list. My friend Mark built this for his own compost needs.  I love how simple and ingenious it is so I asked him to share about it and how he put it together.  Enjoy!

 As more and more people turn to organic gardening for its obvious health and environmental benefits, it’s inevitable that composting will continue to be a mainstay of the home gardener. 

Composting in bin or pile can take months—and that’s assuming all the variables are just right and the pile is “turned” regularly with a pitchfork or shovel.  Using a tumbler can speed the process and, at the same time, make it much easier to maintain with minimal effort. 

            The whole premise behind using a compost tumbler is to easily turn the materials.  This keeps fresh oxygen supplied to the microbes so they can do their job with maximum efficiency.  At the same time, it also allows for better control of the moisture content, which is tremendously important.  If the compost is too dry or too wet, the breakdown of the organic materials will be delayed.

Plastic and resin tumblers can be purchased for around $100-$150 but, with basic materials and tools, can be built at home for a fraction of that.  In simplest terms, all that’s required is a barrel (open head is preferred for removal of the compost) and a cradle.  The door is made by cutting out a section and bolting it back in with some hinges and uses a latch to keep it closed.  Four casters are bolted to the wooden frame to create the cradle.  Even when filled to just over half way with material, your new tumbler is easily rotate by hand.

Mark Dula is from Hudson North Carolina, where he is a drafting and AutoCAD instructor.  Mark is also a graduate of Appalachian State University and spends probably more time than advisable with my friend Kurt.