Two chamber tumbler is the way to go. I add to one chamber for two months, while allowing the other chamber to cook for two months and by alternating I get about 6 gallons of rich compost every two months. Stems and other woody bits that aren’t fully composted go back into the other chamber for another two months. I make sure to cut everything into bite-sized pieces before adding, even banana peels. If it starts to stink, add more browns.
Hi Bethany. Thank you for these videos on patio gardening. We came to this the other way around. And I think there are some ideas that we are now working through that might help you. By no means am I an expert, we have only begun with our elevated raised beds. My concern began with putting kitchen waste into "organic" bags and into the "organic" waste pickup. Short version. We discovered Bokashi precomposting. We started in early February and have depostied ZERO organic garbage to the landfill (Including chicken wings). We are on our 3rd Bokashi bucket. No bags. Bokashi ferments 100% organic waste, it needs 2 weeks once full to ferment fully before using it. End of horrible smells as well. So we needed somewhere to put this rich fermented precompost and decided on a patio bed with a bokashi soil factory setup. This fermented precompost will break down in about 2-3 weeks in a traditional compost (your tumbler) or even bury it in your large container filled with soil I saw in your raised bed video. This way you are not adding food each day, and the browns you are adding (leaves, cardboard and cuttings) are actually necessary to mix with this Bokashi "cake" (full fermented organic waste). Also, Bokashi produces a "tea" or "juice" which is an incredible fertilizer for your plants as well. With this system it might be possible to avoid a second tumbler. Have a look on youtube or visit the bokashi living website and I think you will find an interesting and sustainable solution. In the meantime, I am going to get caught up on your other wonderful videos as we approach planting season in our first raised bed. Best wishes from Spain.
@@ChicagoGardener I was about to buy a tumbler, dueto it's practicality for small patios, but I just checked my plastic bin "Bokashi soil factory" method and after 2 weeks about 80% of a 16 litre Bokashi bin has already turned to soil. Things like egg shells and especially avocado pits take longer to break down, but clearly it will only take a 4 week period to turn around the compost. 1/3 is saved for the next factory and the rest is ready for containers or topping up raised beds. For me the timeline and the fact that it is odorless and doesn't attract bugs or animals is the key. Best wishes
Instead of the bag I do compressed saw dust pellets in the bottom of my metal counter scrap bin helps to keep up with the browns and also will absorb whatever little moisture you build up in the counter top bin … also not an expert but seems to work well for me
Been really struggling with my dual chamber composter tumbler. Its my first time composting and theres a lot of differing opinions on how to do it 😅 Its easy, Its hard, Tumble twice a week, tumble every day. Etc etc After months of my pile not decomposing right (at a 50/50 brown to green) I’ve given up on being precise. Just guesstimating and adding water here and there. Hoping something happens 😂 Thanks for the vid 🙏
Since you already have 1 compost tumbler. Just buy another one like the one you have. And rotate using them just like the two bin system. Now you can produce large quantities of compost.
I have one similar to that and use it mostly for "cold" compost. I like the tumbler because if I forget to water it, mice don't crawl around in it like an on-the-ground one. I usually don't have enough nitrogen and have heard that you there is a minimum of materials needed to have it heat up properly. Enjoying your channel!
@@ChicagoGardener Really the only difference in practice is that you don't take the time to make sure you have the right combination of materials, turning, etc. to get your pile to heat up. Rather, you just add whatever materials you have on hand and let them sit (perhaps occasionally turning the pile or tumbler). The downside of cold composting is that you will not kill off any diseases you might add to your pile (i.e., from sick plants) and you will not break down any weed seeds. I have two of these tumblers and only use them for cold compost because I just can't be bothered trying to get the right mix of materials. Unfortunately it does take a bit longer to get a finished product if you only cold compost.
When do i stop adding and how long do i wait after that to see the final results and then what should i do with the fruits and vegetable peelings that i have in the meantime ?
Thank you for the videos. I have been trying to make a decision on whether to spend money on a more expensive tumbler or if the miracle grow system is strong enough. How is the durability of the tumbler that you are using in the video? We will be using a tumbler in a school setting and I want to make sure it will hold up for 5+ years. Here is some more information on composting that is very urban friendly. We live in a condo and find Bokashi composting very easy and smell free. There are many benefits to Bokashi composting. It is a anaerobic system so there is not smell, the system is seals so you don't need to worry about pests, the Bokashi system doesn't require brown (no measurement of carbon to nitrogen) waste and the Bokashi system can break down meat, bones, and cheese.
I’ve only had it for about a year and a half now, but so far so good and I leave it out over winter. I need to look into bokashi composting! Do you keep it inside or outside?
For outside: Is there anything you wish you could grow, but can't because of your zone, not enough space, not the right conditions etc.? I definitely wish I could have a beautiful orange tree or a passion fruit vine! And of course more blueberry bushes but I already have 4 on my terrace! For inside: Would love to know what are some of your wishlist houseplants?
Perhaps look into bonsai methods. They can work indoors if you are up to the challenge. I’m thinking a dwarf variety of citrus perhaps even a grafted multi fruit tree kept in front of a window .
I still have it! It works well but I do wish I got a double chamber bc I have to stop adding at some point throughout the season to let everything fully break down.
When did you realize you love gardening? Does anyone in your family garden? How do you keep things organized, like a planner/spreadsheet? Who on UA-cam/ig/elsewhere has inspired you the most? What is your favorite flower of all time (it doesn't have to be something you've grown)? Those are just off the top of me head 😅
Is this a MiracleGro composter? Looking for a compost tumbler for a school garden project that will not attract rodents and that has some longevity. Curious to hear what brand this is and how well it has held up for you!
It is! I like it and it’s held up well even leaving it outside over winter. I do wish I’d gotten the two chamber composter so I could let one break down while I fill the other one, but other than that it’s great!
Thank you for sharing ! How frequently are you able to pull out compost that is ‘soil ready’. Are you removing compost multiple times per year ? Do you have any tips for the best timing to fill, then when to leave and then when it should be ready to put back into the garden ?
Two chamber tumbler is the way to go. I add to one chamber for two months, while allowing the other chamber to cook for two months and by alternating I get about 6 gallons of rich compost every two months. Stems and other woody bits that aren’t fully composted go back into the other chamber for another two months. I make sure to cut everything into bite-sized pieces before adding, even banana peels. If it starts to stink, add more browns.
This is great info! I do wish I had gotten the two chamber, so when I upgrade I follow this advice!
Is coffee brown considered brown?
@@Pinkhair332 coffee grounds are considered green because of the nitrogen content.
I once heard that the best brown is horse pellet bedding that they sell at farm stores like Tractor Supply.
Hi Bethany. Thank you for these videos on patio gardening. We came to this the other way around. And I think there are some ideas that we are now working through that might help you. By no means am I an expert, we have only begun with our elevated raised beds. My concern began with putting kitchen waste into "organic" bags and into the "organic" waste pickup. Short version. We discovered Bokashi precomposting. We started in early February and have depostied ZERO organic garbage to the landfill (Including chicken wings). We are on our 3rd Bokashi bucket. No bags. Bokashi ferments 100% organic waste, it needs 2 weeks once full to ferment fully before using it. End of horrible smells as well. So we needed somewhere to put this rich fermented precompost and decided on a patio bed with a bokashi soil factory setup. This fermented precompost will break down in about 2-3 weeks in a traditional compost (your tumbler) or even bury it in your large container filled with soil I saw in your raised bed video. This way you are not adding food each day, and the browns you are adding (leaves, cardboard and cuttings) are actually necessary to mix with this Bokashi "cake" (full fermented organic waste). Also, Bokashi produces a "tea" or "juice" which is an incredible fertilizer for your plants as well. With this system it might be possible to avoid a second tumbler. Have a look on youtube or visit the bokashi living website and I think you will find an interesting and sustainable solution. In the meantime, I am going to get caught up on your other wonderful videos as we approach planting season in our first raised bed. Best wishes from Spain.
This is incredibly helpful! I’ve heard of Bokashi but haven’t looked much into it, but it sounds like it would work really well for me.
@@ChicagoGardener I was about to buy a tumbler, dueto it's practicality for small patios, but I just checked my plastic bin "Bokashi soil factory" method and after 2 weeks about 80% of a 16 litre Bokashi bin has already turned to soil. Things like egg shells and especially avocado pits take longer to break down, but clearly it will only take a 4 week period to turn around the compost. 1/3 is saved for the next factory and the rest is ready for containers or topping up raised beds. For me the timeline and the fact that it is odorless and doesn't attract bugs or animals is the key. Best wishes
I have a 2 chamber and still have the same problem!
Also something I have learned: If it smells bad, it is bad. Always trust your nose.
I think that’s a good rule of thumb (or nose 😆)
Instead of the bag I do compressed saw dust pellets in the bottom of my metal counter scrap bin helps to keep up with the browns and also will absorb whatever little moisture you build up in the counter top bin … also not an expert but seems to work well for me
I really thought about getting one myself. Thank you for the info. Keep growing homegirl. Wish you the best.
Thank you! Let me know if you end up getting one.
Been really struggling with my dual chamber composter tumbler. Its my first time composting and theres a lot of differing opinions on how to do it 😅
Its easy, Its hard, Tumble twice a week, tumble every day. Etc etc
After months of my pile not decomposing right (at a 50/50 brown to green) I’ve given up on being precise. Just guesstimating and adding water here and there. Hoping something happens 😂
Thanks for the vid 🙏
Since you already have 1 compost tumbler. Just buy another one like the one you have. And rotate using them just like the two bin system. Now you can produce large quantities of compost.
I have one similar to that and use it mostly for "cold" compost. I like the tumbler because if I forget to water it, mice don't crawl around in it like an on-the-ground one. I usually don't have enough nitrogen and have heard that you there is a minimum of materials needed to have it heat up properly. Enjoying your channel!
Wait, tell me more about cold composting! What’s the difference between hot and cold?
@@ChicagoGardener Really the only difference in practice is that you don't take the time to make sure you have the right combination of materials, turning, etc. to get your pile to heat up. Rather, you just add whatever materials you have on hand and let them sit (perhaps occasionally turning the pile or tumbler). The downside of cold composting is that you will not kill off any diseases you might add to your pile (i.e., from sick plants) and you will not break down any weed seeds. I have two of these tumblers and only use them for cold compost because I just can't be bothered trying to get the right mix of materials. Unfortunately it does take a bit longer to get a finished product if you only cold compost.
Hi Bethany, I see Ferris is looking good. Will you be posting videos during the winter months, I hope so! 😊🌹🍁❄
I will! Most of them will be indoors 😆 but still making them garden or plant related!
When do i stop adding and how long do i wait after that to see the final results and then what should i do with the fruits and vegetable peelings that i have in the meantime ?
So interesting to hear ago it!
I double bag my kitchen scrap compost, so far it’s working
Thank you for the videos. I have been trying to make a decision on whether to spend money on a more expensive tumbler or if the miracle grow system is strong enough. How is the durability of the tumbler that you are using in the video? We will be using a tumbler in a school setting and I want to make sure it will hold up for 5+ years. Here is some more information on composting that is very urban friendly. We live in a condo and find Bokashi composting very easy and smell free. There are many benefits to Bokashi composting. It is a anaerobic system so there is not smell, the system is seals so you don't need to worry about pests, the Bokashi system doesn't require brown (no measurement of carbon to nitrogen) waste and the Bokashi system can break down meat, bones, and cheese.
I’ve only had it for about a year and a half now, but so far so good and I leave it out over winter. I need to look into bokashi composting! Do you keep it inside or outside?
Do you have plans to move to a place with land so you can do in ground gardening?
For outside: Is there anything you wish you could grow, but can't because of your zone, not enough space, not the right conditions etc.? I definitely wish I could have a beautiful orange tree or a passion fruit vine! And of course more blueberry bushes but I already have 4 on my terrace!
For inside: Would love to know what are some of your wishlist houseplants?
Perhaps look into bonsai methods. They can work indoors if you are up to the challenge. I’m thinking a dwarf variety of citrus perhaps even a grafted multi fruit tree kept in front of a window .
Did you have a video of the final product? Would love to see how it turned out!
I still have it! It works well but I do wish I got a double chamber bc I have to stop adding at some point throughout the season to let everything fully break down.
What is something you learned from container gardening that surprised you? I love your love for gardening and appreciate the videos!
When did you realize you love gardening? Does anyone in your family garden? How do you keep things organized, like a planner/spreadsheet? Who on UA-cam/ig/elsewhere has inspired you the most? What is your favorite flower of all time (it doesn't have to be something you've grown)?
Those are just off the top of me head 😅
Curious to see how this is working as I want to get the dual chamber one….
Try shredding your brown paper instead of tearing it. It will break down faster!
Is this a MiracleGro composter? Looking for a compost tumbler for a school garden project that will not attract rodents and that has some longevity. Curious to hear what brand this is and how well it has held up for you!
It is! I like it and it’s held up well even leaving it outside over winter. I do wish I’d gotten the two chamber composter so I could let one break down while I fill the other one, but other than that it’s great!
Thank you for sharing ! How frequently are you able to pull out compost that is ‘soil ready’. Are you removing compost multiple times per year ?
Do you have any tips for the best timing to fill, then when to leave and then when it should be ready to put back into the garden ?
How big is that composter?
What caused you to get into gardening
sorry to say my least favorite utube vids are people talking. Why use a video when you are not going to show anything and only talk?
Don't watch then pal.
@@westcoastbestcoast7683
You are definitely not my pal. An irrelevant troll perhaps.
@adk1guy you came onto her video, criticised the styling for no reason and then call me the troll 😅