Build a Compost Tumbler

What Is A Compost Tumbler?

For those who have a large yard, giving space to a large compost heap is no problem. However, for the majority of people who want to devote that space to something else, a tumbler is certainly a worthwhile investment. It gives you an opportunity to maintain your compost in one place and helps to keep the pile decomposing regularly. However, the most helpful aspect of a compost tumbler is that it helps you effectively mix up the content of your pile, distributing nutrients evenly throughout.

Benefits

The benefits to having a compost tumbler are numerous. While tumblers are not for everyone, they can provide one of many easy-to-use methods for those who either need the convenience of having their compost in one place or are new to gardening and do not quite understand the most effective way of maintaining a compost pile.

Benefits of a tumbler include:

• They help keep your heap pest-free, meaning bugs and other small critters do not have easy access to what will soon be nutrient-rich soil.
• They look much nicer than a large pile of food scraps and yard waste. A tumbler obscures much of that from view and instead puts everything into one neat barrel.
• You do not have to go through a laborious process to turn the compost pile. You can simply put the barrel on its side and flip it over a few times to thoroughly mix the compost.
• Tumblers stay closed up. This means that you have a better chance of keeping your pile moist during the hotter, dryer summer months and less of a chance of it getting soaked during rainy weather. Additionally, although compost piles do not normally smell like the garbage you are putting into it, any smells that do permeate the pile will stay locked inside of the tumbler.
• Because of the nature of a tumbler, your compost heap will grow more quickly and effectively if you keep it contained, yet properly ventilated, in a compost tumbler or bin of some sort.

How To Build A Compost Tumbler

There are a number of different ways you can build your own tumbler, including using a variety of household tools and scraps. You can easily look up different construction methods to build a tumbler that correctly suits the size of your pile and your specific needs. However, you want to be sure what whatever method you use is a solid one and that your compost tumbler can stand up to regular wear and tear. Here is a great one, courtesy of the Shopping Matchmaker.

• Start with a 10 foot section of a 24-inch corrugated drainpipe. This type of pipe usually only comes in 20 foot increments, so you may need to purchase more than you will actually use for this project.
• Take the pipe and cut it into two five foot pieces. You can go a little higher or lower, depending on how large you want your tumbler to be.
• If there is plywood on the ends of the pipe, go ahead and cut it out. Replace it with a treated version of the wood so it will last much longer. Lock the wood into place using quarter-inch bolts and a bungee cord. Drill holes to provide your compost with the right ventilation and you are finished!

Building your own compost pile can be quite simple, if you have the right steps. Many of the materials you need can be found at your local home improvement store. After seeing the improvement in the quality of your compost, you will be glad you made the investment.