Can you add it to your already started compost to help the process?
805880
Yes. It can actually work better that way, replacing the nitrogen your compost has already burned and reheating/activating your compost pile. It is organic, so the nitrogen is not so high that the late addition to your compost would hurt plants.
805881
Yes, you certainly can. It will add a much needed kickstart to the process. Just follow the directions on the package and you will be successful.
841438
I don't think you can add extra water. You just add what you need at the time.
1367297
I have a compost heap out in my back yard. I take stuff out to it all year long. Some people have 2. One cooking and one building. You can do it however you like, obviously.
842690
You can add scraps in winter, but outside, no composting will happen. Keeping inside might help, but it needs to be kept pretty warm to really stay composting.
1042375
I keep adding to my compost all winter. I just don't turn it over as often, maybe once every 2 weeks or so. While nothing will "cook" during the winter, you'll have fresh material on standby for when it does start to warm up. I suppose my only tip would be to make sure you add material to it during the daytime and make sure your composter stays in a sunny spot. The door can freeze "shut" at night due to the lower temperatures and any moisture along the track. I've already been through one winter with it and I sincerely had no issues and didn't have to make any changes to the way I used the tumbler.
1539864
Absolutely, you want to fill the hopper ¾ full with dry leaves and slowly push them down with a soft wood stick. Have a pan underneath the machine to collect the mulch. For material I am going to compost, I run it through the machine twice. Great machine that reduces my compost time from 3 months to 10 days
1787799
I'm new to composting too. From what I've read you build a pile, let it heat & cure for a few weeks, then take it apart & start over using a portion of the compost from the cured batch to help start a new batch. Lots of info on the internet on how to do this.
1058304
I have a 20gallon plastic tote that I use for my composting. I added in a little dirt to start it, added in worms and now add paper and old fruits/veggies as the worms eat it. I have had it going for a year now and it has been great for my plants!
1465426
really depends on how many months of cold weather you have in your area. composting slows down considerably from Oct until May in my area. Since Oct, I have filled one side completely and the other is a quarter full. There is only 2 of us and I believed the 33 gallon was enough space. However i didn't realize how much cold weather impacts the process. Once you start composting, you will be surprised at how much organic material you can recycle this way. I am sorry that i didn't purchasing the next size up.
682154
No. Rodents would be attracted to it if you are putting meat products- which should not be put into a composter. Only organic material should be used. Ie grass clippings, cuttings, vegetable kitchen scraps. Google composting and you'll have a better idea of what can be used.
217466
Just add it during the melting process and stir before adding anything else.
852018
You still need compost to brew the tea but it will add to the healthy biology of the tea. A little goes a long way!
1732655
you would have to put a hole in the center and insert it down the shaft, inside the metal basket. I have a friend that does this, but I see no real advantage to this. I just put my grounds in a container after use, and use for compost.
507563
Add it at the beginning. Get a testing kit to make sure water is safe before adding fish. You can cycle a tank with fish food instead of sacrificing fish. If you can get some media (sponge's, etc. ) from a friends filter to put in your filter it will hasten the process as these will have good bacteria already on them. If you do this it should be ready in a couple weeks. If you do this it is not necessary to wait months on end. Add the live plants right away also as the plants will help the process. Good luck!
1857530
Yes! There are more coffee grounds in my compost than anything else. I do line the pail with the biodegradable bags.
1622814
I purchased a compost starter as well as some "pine" cat litter. It takes a little time to figure out the proper balance of green and brown. I was primarily using kitchen green waste with paper towels, egg shells, etc. and it wasn't enough "brown" so I added the pine cat litter and ripped up newspaper and that kicked it off. I sometimes have to use a hot water bottle to keep the heat up as again, if the balance is off, it won't get going.
1997865
No -- the stuff you put in needs water and air (and "green" stuff) to turn into compost, so rainwater is a welcome addition.