Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler by Clean Air Gardening

garden09-004I was so excited to get started on my garden this year. In the interest of helping to green our earth, save money on groceries and more, we have doubled the size of our garden this year. Another green move-we bought a real compost bin.

I have composted in the past somewhat but developed a real passion for it this past year after I realized that much of the scraps we were throwing away could be both returned to the earth and benefit our future harvest in great ways.

But I ran into challenges.

I have medical issues with my back and as a result, I have always had to adapt my gardening. For instance, my garden beds are in waist-high boxes so I don’t have to bend when weeding, planting, etc. The boxes are quite a bit of work (for someone else) to build, paint and fill with dirt but it’s garden09-011the only way that I can garden so it is worth it to me.

So as you can imagine, hand-turning compost contents with a shovel is a no-no for me. And therefore I was excited when Jayme at Nest in Style reviewed a compost tumbler by Tumbleweed. All you do to break down the compost is spin the barrel.  It’s rust resistant, which I need here in the Northwest, and it has openings at both ends to add and remove the contents. The bar that runs through the middle assists in breaking matter down.

We assembled it yesterday and it is already halfway full from what I had saved to compost. We have already added water a couple of times and tumbled it several times. And it is already well mixed. I can’t wait to add it to my plants.

You can help green our earth too by composting and using the result to enrich new growth. To get the best mix, you need layers of both green and brown colored items. You can compost:

  1. Paper after it has been shredded
  2. Produce scraps, skins and seeds
  3. Eggshells
  4. Mowed grass
  5. Shrub and tree trimmings (cut small)
  6. Leaves

Stop throwing it away! Compost instead and enrich the earth for all of us.

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Composting Reduces Garbage

compostbinI got a funny question last week.

“I bought a compost bin,” a reader said. “But there is no crank on it and a it’s been hard to use a shovel. Do you have any suggestions?”

Other than rolling the bin around and around on the ground, I really didn’t. I also have had the experience of not being to easily use a shovel due to back issues, and I would never purchase a bin without a crank for this reason.

But I admire what she is trying to do. She shared that she really wants to try and eliminate most garbage that her family produces.  She feels that by recycling most things and composting others that it really can be accomplished.

I agree with her!

So it’s probably best to get rid of that compost bin and get another that cranks or find someone with good solid muscles who doesn’t mind scooping and mixing every now and then. Just remember, only compost that which has come from the earth (produce, eggs, leaves, etc). Do not add meat/noodles/processed food. Some people keep a small compost bin on their kitchen counter or under the sink.

Once it’s composted, you can sell it if you don’t need it. If you are not a gardener, you can always use it to fill around your current plants. They will love it!

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