- wood ashes
- invasive plants/weeds (i.e. poison ivy)
Do not compost:
- meats/fats/bones
- dairy products
- trash/plastic
Browns are:
- leaves
- straw/hay
- saw dust
- twigs
- kitchen scraps
- grass clippings
- garden &
house plants
ENGLISH
Setting-up your Composter
First select a location to install your composter that is convenient to
move materials to and from, usually close to a garden. Choose a
flat
surface with enough room to be able to rotate the composter and if
able, be sure to select a location in direct sunlight, to help cook your
compost.
To assemble, you will need an adjustable wr
ench and flat scr
ew driver.
An additional set of hands will be helpful too! Complete assembly
instructions are included on inserted sheets.
What to put in your Composter
The composting process works best by mixing moist greens
(nitrogen rich) with dry browns. (carbon rich) in a ratio of
approximately 1 part greens to 2 parts browns.
Start with a scoop of
regular garden dirt to introduce the needed microbes.
Greens are:
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.
➊
➋
Your composter has
2 chambers.
➊
➋
A
dd
n
ew
m
ate
rial
Add new raw
material to side 1
batch, fully rotating
5 Xs - 10 Xs after
each deposit, or
every 2-3 days.
When side 1 is full,
let it cure and start
adding new raw
material to side 2.
5
After side 1 is empty,
fully remove the door and
flip to change the symbol to
remind you which is now
the
add
side, and which is
the
cure
side.
To empty a cured
batch:
1. Small tarp or plastic
sheet on ground
2.
3.
4.
Rotate doors to bottom
Slide door to open
cured content chamber
Cured compost will
fall out
5. Slide tarp out
Opening the door between the leg-stand will lock
rotation. With the palm of your hand, gently tap
sides to loosen most of the compost. Close the door
and return to upright.
1
2
3
4
“Clock” symbol
shows this side
is time curing.
➊
➋
➎
➌
➍
Batch Composting
