thequiltedgardener's Blog

The Tumbling has begun!
Mar 3, 2008 | 4:50 AM PST
Tag: Compost

Geez, I hope when the door of the compost tumbler is opened and the black gold is seen for the first time I hope that the moment lives up to the expectations I have placed on it.  Since I have been dreaming of the availability of compost-almost on demand- for a couple of years now my expectations may be a bit high!  It was fun to put the tumbler together and all last week it spoke to me from the garage.  It said.........If you put me outside and fill me up, tumble me daily........I will make compost .  Alas, Mother Nature had another plan.  Rain, snow, sleet, rain, snow, sun, rain...........

Yesterday the sun was shining, it was such a beautiful day.  The boat show didn't happen for us so I suggested we take out the tumbler so I could get to it.  Knowing that the ground would be muddy DH was easily convinced that this could still be done today.  It is enough to say that our shoes were covered in mud but the massive tumbler is in place.

The manual says that the ratio for success is four parts brown and one part green and that the tumbler should be 2/3 full in order to reach the proper temperature.  I had been saving kitchen compostable items and was sure that this would be enough.  DH went inside and I proceeded to fill my bucket with the kitchen items and then four buckets of leaves.  I can see that getting green stuff this time of year is going to be a challenge.  In the summer there will be plenty of grass, plant pieces and kitchen stuff.  For now if I want to get compost in two weeks I need to get this bad boy 2/3 the way full.

There are some options here, contact a local grocery store and see about getting the produce cast offs but then there is the pick up and hauling.........but more importantly the cutting up [compost will happen faster if the pieces are smaller-but this step isn't necessary] and then storing the items.  Being that the compost pile is frozen the options are limted as far as storing without inviting every wild creature in the neighborhood over.

This is where the instant gratification girl in me comes out.  I want to dump stuff in, turn turn turn and then in about two weeks open the door and ........get the gold.  I can continue to fill this up, turning daily and then when there is enough in there stuff in there stop adding and the process starts.  Something to think about today.

I took a picture from the deck but it doesn't do the size justice because of the distance so today when I go out to turn it I will bring the camera and take a better picture to post.

Off to the races!

Tumblin'.........
Feb 20, 2008 | 4:50 AM PST
Tags: Compost , Compost tumbler

It has happened, it arrived!  Of course I am an the only one here doing a jig-  What you ask?

The twin compost tumbler!  For the last few years I have salivated over the tumblers.  You have to understand that our soil is clay-I know, hard to believe, but clay oh and ROCKS.  This area is full of rocks and ledge.  Not the best combo for gardening in the traditional sense.  When I was turned onto the concept of Lasagna Gardening last year I embraced is, tried it, loved it!  Living in a rural area many of the items are free for the taking once you make connections but the amount of compost that could be had from our kitchen scraps, grass clippings and leaves was like an untapped gold mine.

As much as I enjoy watching my seedlings grow, the life of the compost pile just didn't bring me the same joy and I find myself impatient.  Lasagna gardening is very rewarding and the three new beds will soon be layered and ready to plant.

Because my yard plans always include improving the soil in current beds in addition to creating more the concept of having compost galore on a routine basis............well it got me.  I squirreled away for such an extravagent item and fortunately this year,none of the cars needed tires when it was time to order.  It will be hard to keep my mind of putting it together as I make my way through the workday.

 

Tumbling Compost?
Jan 1, 2008 | 3:07 PM PST
Tags: compost , compost tumbler , composters

It is my intention to invest in a compost tumbler and am looking for input from others as to thier experience with this product.  I hope this topic is ok for the blog.