Why Use a COMPOST Tumbler

[@Richard-zx5te]

You just helped a rookie from overthinking a rather basic process. Thanks

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Awesome! Good luck Richard!

[@LinneaDolfsmom]

I have watched soooo many videos about composting and this is by far the best with the most complete information. Thank you!

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

That's so nice of you. Thank you!

[@heatherem5690]

“Took me two beers to assemble it If it took six beers Id say leave it” 😂❤

[@GoldSkye]

I just built my compost tumbler and this has been very helpful, thank you.

[@ScrapMansWorld]

thanks for a really good video! had never seen one like this before, but now I was really excited to start making my own compost.

[@centavo71]

Thank you for this, super helpful video. Just got my tumbler today. Unfortunately I'm in a pretty cold climate so don't know how the winter will go but can't wait to get going!

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

I definitely get better results in the warmer months. Good luck!

[@iamshredder3587]

You can still hot compost in winter most places but takes a little extra care. Have to regularly added a bit of greens to keep it heated is the biggest thing. Idk about in a tumbler I haven't tried

[@leliladurnford382]

thank you for your thorough demonstration on how to use this tumbler. I now understand how to use it. Very good explanation

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Great! Thanks for the positive feedback Lelila!

[@thestupidgardener4642]

I have a compost tumbler. It works great. I put a bunch of shredded paper in there with greens and it does a great job breaking down. Great channel! I subscribed!!

[@Elledot4]

This was very helpful! Especially for a beginner like me.

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Great! Glad we helped 😄

[@DatboiTamale-25]

2 beers sounds good to me! I will be getting one today!

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Good luck with it!

[@alfabrizio6005]

Someone on youtube that actually knows by doing! Thanks!!

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Thanks Buzz!

[@highlandscommunityclub1160]

My bin is bigger gets REALLY heavy and hard to turn. If I put less in it’s not worth doing for the small amount of compost I get. But I love the upper body workout. I stay strong and get wonderful garden food!

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

It can definitely be a workout, especially when it’s wet. Do you have one of those big ones that you can also start the turn with some foot pressure?

[@genehowley1465]

Only two beers. It took me a few more than that. :). Nice video

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

😂😂😂

[@nikkernacker1]

Home state KZbinrs! I’m immediately subscribing! Go DAWGS!

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Awesome! Always good to have another home state follower. Go Dawgs!

[@Navigatingmotherhood]

Finally a video that is soooo helpful!!!!

[@charliemcgriff7643]

Great information freind

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Thanks Charlie!

[@MrVirtuosobg]

This is my first growing season with a compost tumbler. Do you keep yours in a sunny location to help with the breakdown? How long does it take for you to get usable compost? Do you have to dilute the compost tea you collect?

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Yes, ours is in a sunny location, just because it's a convenient place. It really varies on the time it takes depending on how balanced I have the mix and what season it is. It breaks down a lot faster when its warm, but what I put in during the summer isn't ready until the fall. I don't dilute the compost tea, but it's fairly diluted already from rain running through it and around it into my collection tin. Good luck with your first growing season!

[@B.L.S.S]

Wonderful video sir! Thanks so much!

[@Tuco9684]

The liquid is called Compost Leachate. There is a difference between leachate and tea and how it should be used. People should search the internet on how to use this brown liquid. I’ve only dumped it on my lawn after diluting it with water.

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Cool! Thanks for the info. I use it diluted too and pour it into my planters.

[@compticny3138]

I picked up a blender at a garage sale after the DW ask if I was using her blender. The shells go into the compost pile or directly into soil mixes.

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

We've done it both ways, but I like to put them in the compost since they break down quicker that way.

[@heathergirgenti1721]

😊 Thank you

[@bonniep.5165]

Excited to get started ~ put together last night definitely 🍻!

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

The beer absolutely helps! 😇

[@seancampbell7911]

Alex, great video and Congrats to the Bulldogs! I noticed many of your planters have a mesh stretched over them. What is their purpose and also you have a white PVC pipe and cap inserted in the soil. What is that? Maybe you can do a video on those things? Maybe you already have! New Subscriber.

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

The wire mesh over the soil is to keep squirrels and chipmunks from digging up the soil. The white PVC pipe is how I fill the containers with water. The bottom has a reservoir that holds water with a wicking center that can pull out water for the plants to drink. Thanks for subscribing!

[@yolandapierce4258]

I have that same tumbler and I'm just not sure how I feel about it yet lol I collect in 5 gallon buckets and the openings are soo small in the bin that it makes it difficult to hold the bucket and try to dump everything in. I wish there was a locking mechanism so that it didn't move while trying to load it.

[@scott1lori282]

Overcome, improvise & adapt. A lock would make it cost $40 more for nothing. Tumble till weight is at bottom. Use scrap cardboard as a makeshift funnel type device. The cardboard will direct your dump. Rip up cardboard and throw it in too!

[@1113hawaii]

nice video! what do you now when the tumbler gets full before the compost is ready to use (buy another tumbler?) do they make them with a hand crank?

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

So far, I haven’t had one get full before the other side is ready to empty. Yes, I think other brands make them with a hand crank

[@sandreawhite7534]

I loved your video. Two beer assembly. LOL. I have a question. Animals/snakes/critters can’t get in. I can handle that. What I can’t handle are roaches. How badly do these attract roaches. I know it gets too hot for worms however can I add Diatomaceous Earth to keep the creepy crawlers down? Or will it kill the microbes?

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

I wish I had an answer for you. Maybe try adding more browns and see if it breaks down faster. I hate roaches too, but didn’t have a bad problem with them, but I don’t know what I did differently

[@iamshredder3587]

8:56 - haha yeah, they say in the big commercial scale composting places the little non-biodegradeable labels they put on fruit and veg is the number one cause of contamination in their compost and biggest frustration. Thanks bro.

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Yeah, I’ve learned that lesson a few times, but I’ve been good lately. I’ll bet those big places gets tons of them

[@katieshaffer123]

Can you use tea bags in too?

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

I wouldn’t put the nylon bags in there, but the leaves are fine.

[@DameObserver108]

Have you ever used a tumbler composter with worms? And do you have trouble with flies getting into your tumbler?

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

No, i haven’t used worms in a tumbler before. I’m afraid it would get too hot when it’s “cooking”. I haven’t had any fly problems as long as I turn it regularly and keep feeding it.

[@DameObserver108]

​@@SoilMatesofGeorgia So maybe I will try without worms...you make it look very easy! TY for answering my questions! I live in an apt complex and this is the first time I've done composting. I feel like I'm going off the high board at the pool if you know what I mean.

[@DameObserver108]

@@SoilMatesofGeorgia I'm very glad to hear that flies can be avoided!

[@NickiUn]

I live in Ireland and we do not have the heat. Would I have to water it that much? Like is it depending on the heat and does it dry the compost? Do you see when it needs water?

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

I water mine in Georgia, but you might get enough water seeping in from the rain in Ireland. I don't keep mine soaking wet, but at least damp versus dry.

[@Andrea-gs6zh]

Is it good to use manure? What type is best? Or old potting dirt? Sorry newbie here!! Lol

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

We put some old dry cow manure in ours a couple of times. I don't think it is necessary, but I think it adds more good food for the plants. Most of what we use is from the kitchen or yard, like leaves and grass clippings if you don't use herbicide or pesticide on your lawn.

[@gbmarie836]

I want one but cannot tolerate the thought of dealing with maggots. Seen a lot of videos with them taking over. How do you keep them out?

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

I’ve never had a problem with them. I assume it’s because I turn it every day and keep adding new stuff to it. I guess that keeps it breaking down before flies lay their eggs in there.

[@jamesandgracekidsshow]

What size is the tumbler?

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

It’s 37 gallons

[@diemflores2623]

Thank you for the explanation. I just bought one today and was thinking of putting some earth worms in to help the process faster , what do you think? Would it work? I’m new to gardening and all 😄

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

I think that would be OK as long as the compost isn’t getting too hot while it’s breaking down.

[@diemflores2623]

@@SoilMatesofGeorgia I ve seen videos where they put in ice 🤣 not sure how it works

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

@@diemflores2623 That seems weird to me, bec the heat helps break down and “cook” it into good soil 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@pr3ciousara]

I bet when you get to the 2nd stage when he moved it out of the tumbler, you can add in the worms. I've heard you can't add the worms to the tumbler directly because they'll die from the heat.

[@esantone0398]

how do prevent dangerous mold from forming? ive read a recent article on mold from compost and i am being cautious…

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

I'm not sure. I haven't had a problem (that I know of). I think if you keep the compost turned, you should be OK, but I don't know enough to guarantee that. Good luck!

[@esantone0398]

@@SoilMatesofGeorgia ok thanks. im sure we will be fine too. how often to you put water in your tumbler? what ratio of water?

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

@@esantone0398 I just run the hose over into it if it hasn't rained. I try to keep it damp, but not soaked. So, it varies depending on the time of year. I probably do it every few days in the summer and skip it in the winter because we get enough rain. Mine drains pretty well and I use the dark water that drains out as a compost tea to pour into my planters.

[@esantone0398]

@@SoilMatesofGeorgia thanks again!

[@veronicasolomon6898]

excellentt

[@Sunny14136]

Thanks for this helpful video on compost tumbling! Quick question: Do you find that the compost tea in the open container below the tumbler attracts vermin, rodents, etc.? I just want to be prepared!

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

I didn’t notice any change. I try to make a point to use it when I see my container catching the tea gets full, which can be often if you add water from the hose and not just wait on the rain. Good luck!

[@Sunny14136]

@@SoilMatesofGeorgia That makes sense! Thanks for your reply.

[@Cbnlifts]

Go dawgs!

[@joeshmoe7789]

So much water draining indicates you have too much water and your compost is probably aerobic. You need to cut back on the water you add and leave the lid open to help the compost dry out. Close the lid, spin or mix it and open the lid. Your compost should be damp like a moist sponge. Your compost probably smells. When you leave the lid open, bury any foods like meat scraps so animals don't smell it. You should only get drips and drops of water, if any, and no accumulation. No worries if you take it all out. Compost starters are over rated and decomposition will start quickly. Your peppers started in the refrigerator!

[@SoilMatesofGeorgia]

Thanks! It doesn’t smell, but I can see a difference this year using less water than I used to, mainly because it’s in a different place, not because I meant to make a change.