Here’s how to tumble your way to rich compost for your garden and plants.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Prepare the Barrel
1. Wash out the barrel and drill two 7⁄8-inch holes halfway between the top and bottom. These holes are for the 3⁄4-inch galvanized pipe.
2. Drill 1⁄2-inch holes evenly spaced around the barrel.
Build a Sturdy Frame
3. Cut the 2-by-6-inch boards and assemble the frame as shown, using the hardware listed. The feet should be almost as long as the legs are high.
4. Drill 7⁄8-inch holes at the top of the legs and pass the 3⁄4-inch steel pipe through the hole in one leg, into the barrel and out through the leg on the other side. Screw on the pipe caps.
5. If the lid needs to be held in place, drill small holes around the lid to hook bungee cords.
COMPOSTING BASICS
Layer yard waste into the tumbler. Alternate green materials like grass clippings with brown ones like hay or fallen leaves. Put in some garden soil and kitchen waste such as veggie scraps, fruit peels, cereal, bread, crushed egg shells, tea bags, and coffee grounds and filters. Never use meat, poultry, fish, dairy or pet waste. That stuff can attract unwanted critters.
Bacteria breaks down the materials in your tumbler and turns it into rich organic compost. The decomposing material will become hot as the bacteria does its work. The material in your tumbler should be about as moist as a damp sponge. Spin your tumbler one or two times a week to mix the contents and keep it aerated.
HOW TO FIND A BARREL
Food barrels are used for things like juice or pickles. Try checking with large restaurants or food distributors. Also, there are companies that sell used food barrels.
Thank you for creating the composter. I will make one for my composting need.
have a great life
Looks pretty simple! Gonna try it!
cool
i just built mine today using these plans. its pretty awesome.
How often do you turn it? Daily? How long for chicken, horse or goat compost is ready? Any Recipes for it?
Thanks
The tutorial states that you should turn it 1-2 times per week. I’m not sure what you mean by “chicken, horse or goat compost”, but again, it clearly stated that you should NOT PUT ANIMAL WASTE into the compost. Hope this helps and is not too late!
Actually, it doesn’t say not to use animal waste. It specifies “pet” waste/ This is because dog and cat waste can contain pathogens harmful to humans. Composting cow, goat, sheep, horse, chicken, etc actually improves the output.
do you drill holes in the top of the barrel also?
cool gonna try
i just made 1 how many vent holes do i need if any?
what dos this thing do
polish rooks
what is the little half moon looking cut out near the lid of the tumbler?
It Appears to be molded handels in the barrel
It’s Easy TO Make. I love it.:)
would a regular trash can with a lid (w/locking handles) work for this project?
Planning to make this AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!! Very neat looking.
i cant find a drainpipe or barrel. help!
Look in the woods!
Getting barrels from car wash
For a great place to find a cheap barrel, find a car wash owner. They usually get their soap in large barrels. I purchased several from my local car wash owner.
Can the tumbler be made from a metal drum or is the plastic necessary? I have a metal drum so I was going to use that one, but not sure if it will get too hot?
This is very cool and I cannot wait to get started.
Thanks!
This is also great for earthworms
looks simple and effective
is it really? Could this work for the 90 day compost bin for the gardening merit badge?
nice project, easy to make gonna do it over the weekend
how do you fill/empty it?
You tip it forward to load it and tip it as far down as you can to dump into a wheel barrow, etc. As to the smell, good compost should never smell check what you are putting into the compost. perhaps too much water??
You should avoid meat and dairy products this is a large source of compost odor.
In step four drill 7/8″ holes is incorrect. The nominal size of 3/4″ galvanized pipe is 3/4″. The outside diameter is1.05″ as found on any pipe size conversion table. I built this compost tumbler and had to go back to the hardware store for another hole saw, size 1 1/8 “. I also added a drain valve at the bottom edge to drain valuable compost tea.
The drain valve is a must. The compost tea that you produce will be just as beneficial as the compost itself. Use it as a foliar spray to improve sun and nutrient absorbtion in the leaves as well as an organic pest deterrent. Also, with the use of the 3/4 galv. conduit you may want to use some sort of bushing or grommet to avoid damaging or splitting the plastic drum.
My mom has been wanting a compost tumbler for a while and we havent had the money to buy a brand new, so im hoping thid will work
Kewl…