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A Step-by-Step Guide by Angus Stewart

The maintenance of your compost bin will depend on what composting system you have adopted. There is a trade off here, as the more time and effort you put in, the faster the composting process will go. Our advice is that if you are a ‘time poor’ household you should adopt a ‘cold’ composting system, because it is the quickest and easiest composting method, particularly for busy households.

Cold composting, as the name suggests, does not ever reach the sort of temperatures that would kill beneficial composting organisms such as earthworms. Tumbleweed makes a variety of worm farms for different sized households such as the Worm Café and the Can-O-Worms’ that are an ideal way to cold compost materials such as kitchen scraps. For large gardens that produce lots of extra organics such as autumn leaves and lawn clippings we recommend the Tumbleweed Gedye bin or one of the Tumbleweed Flat Pack Compost Bins or Tumblers that are available from nurseries and hardware stores.

Once you have chosen a composting system that is well suited to your household it is vital to monitor and maintain the following conditions:

• Moisture Level: The compost should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Add water if it’s too dry or brown materials if it’s too wet. A good test is to squeeze a handful of the contents. If it is at the right moisture content you should be able to squeeze out a few drops of free moisture, but it should be no wetter than that. If it is too dry simply hose on a generous amount of water and stop if it starts flowing out the bottom of the pile.
• Temperature: The optimum temperature will depend on whether you are running a ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ system. Since we are recommending a cold system as best for most households, we suggest that if the compost pile is hot (rather than worm or cold) then adding some woody material such as sawdust or shredded cardboard will cool things off.
• Aeration: Oxygen is essential for the aerobic bacteria that are integral to efficient composting in any system. Turn the compost regularly (about once a week) to introduce air and speed up the process. The Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler systems make this easy, while stationary systems such as the Gedye Bin are easily aerated by using the Tumbleweed Compost Mate, a toll that is like a giant corkscrew that makes turning and mixing compost a much simpler task.
• Pest Control: To deter pests, avoid adding any bulk amounts of meat, dairy, or oily foods. Cover fresh additions with a layer of woody materials or grass clippings and ensure the bin is securely closed. You may need to put a weight such as a brick or two on top to stop rodents such as mice entering. It is also a good idea to put down a rodent proof mesh on the ground underneath systems such as the Gedye bin to stop rodents digging from below.

Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best setup, you may encounter some challenges:

• Bad Odours: Often caused by excess green materials or poor aeration. Turn the pile and add more woody, fibrous materials to restore balance. Charcoal can be used as an ingredient to soak up bad smells, particularly if you are composting lots of kitchen scraps.
• Slow Decomposition: This can result from a lack of moisture, insufficient aeration, or too many brown materials. Check the moisture level, turn the pile, and add more greens if needed.
• Pests: If you notice rodents or insects, they may be attracted to inappropriate materials or an open pile. Remove any problematic items and secure the bin.
• Weeds, pests and diseases: Do not put any potentially harmful material into a cold compost system as you will potentially spread the problem all over your garden. Put such materials into a municipal green waste bin where it will end up in a hot composting system that should remove the problems.

Harvesting the Compost
Depending on your method, compost can take anywhere from a few months to a year to mature. When it's ready, it should look dark and crumbly with an earthy smell.

• Harvesting: The Tumbleweed Compost Mate, mentioned earlier as an aerating tool, is also perfect for harvesting compost from stationary systems such as Gedye Bins or Tumblers. For worm farms please see our other blog post on the best ways to harvest from them, as both solid worm castings and the liquid that is continually produced are both outstanding organic fertilisers. Sift out any large, undecomposed pieces and return them to the bin for further processing whichever system you are using.
• Using Compost: Spread it in your garden beds, mix it with potting soil, or use it as a top dressing for lawns. The nutrients in compost will enhance soil structure, retain moisture, and support healthy plant growth, whilst the humus that is the very dark soil-like part of the compost will condition your soil, building up its water and nutrient holding capacity, and fostering the growth of beneficial soil microbes.

Conclusion
Setting up a compost bin is a straightforward way to contribute to a greener planet while enriching your garden. By selecting the right bin, finding an optimal location, balancing materials, and maintaining proper conditions, you can create high-quality compost that supports sustainable living. Happy composting!

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