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Steps For Efficient Envirocycle Compost

By Margaret Olson


Gardeners often have a need for enhancing the soil they grow in. Environmental concerns about waste are high on most peoples' list of issues. Buying fertilizer and other soil enhancements can be expensive. Combining the environmental concern for waste and the need to improve soil quality creates a great opportunity to attack both by using a tumbler such as the Envirocycle compost tumbler. There are many different brands available and you can even make your own. Doing so will help save money and dispose of a large quantity of your household waste.

You need to store the tumbler in a dry area. Sheds and garages are the best places to store them. Using a porch that is covered will also work if the rain doesn't get onto the tumbler. The final resort is to use a tarp that is strapped down to keep the moisture out. Keeping out the moisture is critical in this process to keep things moving and prevent a gross soup from occurring.

You need to put everything in at once. If you don't have a container to use for food and organic scraps, you can use the device, but do not close the lid. The best solution is to have a place for the organic material and another for wood type materials. Dump them in at the same time to start the process. Using a couple of different kitchen trash cans is an inexpensive solution if you cannot have two tumblers side by side.

The material that can be added is organic. The first type is called green waste and is composed of food scraps, grass clippings, and includes tea bags and coffee grounds. The other type is called brown waste. It is composed of newspaper scraps, paper towels, and other wood-based products. It is imperative that you do not use plastic waste of any sort in the mix.

The waste ratio needs to be maintained for it to work properly. It should be maintained as a single green part to three parts of the brown type of waste. The green waste is more easily broken down and needs the tougher, rougher material to absorb and slow the process so it all mixes together well. If the mix ratio is not correct you will notice some strong, unusual odors emitting from the tumbler.

Most devices come with a hand crank. If there is not, you will need to turn the device manually. Most manufacturers recommend turning the crank one full turn. This does not flip the device completely over but instead turns it enough to mix the material and help with the process.

A strong odor means something is going bad. The ammonia smell will be related to having more organic material than brown waste. This means it is producing too much nitrogen. There may be a rotten egg smell which means there is too much moisture in the mix. In both cases, add more brown waste to help balance and absorb the moisture.

The process takes 2 to 10 weeks to finish. Remember, once you close the lid and start the process you don't want to open it to add more scraps. You can check on it, but it's best to keep it closed at least two weeks before opening to check it. Use a different bin to store organic material while the first process is ongoing.




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By Margaret Olson


Gardeners often have a need for enhancing the soil they grow in. Environmental concerns about waste are high on most peoples' list of issues. Buying fertilizer and other soil enhancements can be expensive. Combining the environmental concern for waste and the need to improve soil quality creates a great opportunity to attack both by using a tumbler such as the Envirocycle compost tumbler. There are many different brands available and you can even make your own. Doing so will help save money and dispose of a large quantity of your household waste.

You need to store the tumbler in a dry area. Sheds and garages are the best places to store them. Using a porch that is covered will also work if the rain doesn't get onto the tumbler. The final resort is to use a tarp that is strapped down to keep the moisture out. Keeping out the moisture is critical in this process to keep things moving and prevent a gross soup from occurring.

You need to put everything in at once. If you don't have a container to use for food and organic scraps, you can use the device, but do not close the lid. The best solution is to have a place for the organic material and another for wood type materials. Dump them in at the same time to start the process. Using a couple of different kitchen trash cans is an inexpensive solution if you cannot have two tumblers side by side.

The material that can be added is organic. The first type is called green waste and is composed of food scraps, grass clippings, and includes tea bags and coffee grounds. The other type is called brown waste. It is composed of newspaper scraps, paper towels, and other wood-based products. It is imperative that you do not use plastic waste of any sort in the mix.

The waste ratio needs to be maintained for it to work properly. It should be maintained as a single green part to three parts of the brown type of waste. The green waste is more easily broken down and needs the tougher, rougher material to absorb and slow the process so it all mixes together well. If the mix ratio is not correct you will notice some strong, unusual odors emitting from the tumbler.

Most devices come with a hand crank. If there is not, you will need to turn the device manually. Most manufacturers recommend turning the crank one full turn. This does not flip the device completely over but instead turns it enough to mix the material and help with the process.

A strong odor means something is going bad. The ammonia smell will be related to having more organic material than brown waste. This means it is producing too much nitrogen. There may be a rotten egg smell which means there is too much moisture in the mix. In both cases, add more brown waste to help balance and absorb the moisture.

The process takes 2 to 10 weeks to finish. Remember, once you close the lid and start the process you don't want to open it to add more scraps. You can check on it, but it's best to keep it closed at least two weeks before opening to check it. Use a different bin to store organic material while the first process is ongoing.




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