The Compost Tumbler – The innovative, easy-to-use & effective home composting system.

Contact Craig on  083 395 1621

What is the COMPOST– A – LOT?
The Compost-A-Lot is a "compost tumbler" or rotating compost heap.
Aerating your compost heap has never been easier. Why spend a morning every few months breaking your back turning a compost heap when with a few turns of the Compost-A-Lot you can aerate your compost daily or weekly with minimal effort?
Regular aeration of your compost heap dramatically speeds up the composting process. Rapid aerobic decomposition means that you can effectively compost ALL organic household waste without fear of nasty smells.
Regular home composters never seem to go anywhere fast. The continual aerobic decomposition and mixing action in the Compost-A-Lot means you only wait weeks rather than months for your compost.
Also, the closed barrel system is animal proof!
The Compost-A-Lot's durable PVC barrels and galvanized steel construction are ideally suited to weather our harsh climate.

Why should I rotate my compost?
Compost is the product of the decomposition of organic matter by microbial life. This process is regulated by the availability of moisture, nutrients and oxygen.
Moisture is easy to balance by regulating the amount of water that goes onto a compost heap. If a heap is too dry then water is added and if to wet a cover can be put over the heap to keep rain off or opened up to dry out. With the correct moisture content, not too wet or too dry, decomposition by aerobic microbes will be maintained.
Just like a human body, the microbes active in a compost heap need a balanced diet comprising the correct carbon to nitrogen ratio. It is fairly easy to balance the nutrient composition of a compost heap by balancing the ratio of green (nitrogen rich - lawn clippings, kitchen scraps) and brown (carbon rich - straw, dried leaves, wood chips) material added. With the correct carbon to nitrogen ratio decomposition will be rapid. Too much nitrogen and the compost will be slimy, too little and nothing much will happen.
Given the above two conditions are met, the microbes that consume organic matter converting it to compost require oxygen and lots of it. That sour smell that emanates from many compost heaps is indicative of a heap that has gone anaerobic - all the oxygen has been consumed. The organisms that control the heap are anaerobic bacteria and they are responsible for that foul smell. They will also three times longer to make compost out of the organic matter.
With traditional compost heaps the only way to introduce oxygen to the heap and speed up the composting process is to turn the heap with a garden fork. Anyone who has done this knows that it is a backbreaking task. Even with regular turning, an average compost heap will at best produce compost in 6 months, generally in only a year. This is where the COMPOST-A-LOT comes to the aid of home composters.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

How does the COMPOST-A-LOT work?
Shredded or chopped garden clippings and household organic waste are placed in one of the barrels along with a small amount of compost starter (one needs to add the microscopic noo-noos that breakdown the organics into compost). The barrel is then rotated every two to three days to mix the contents. Organics can be added to the barrel till it is about ¾ full. Once this point is reached start filling the second barrel. Continue rotating the first barrel without adding fresh organics and in about 4-6 weeks the contents will be reduced to rich black compost ready for the garden.
The twin barrel design means that there will always be a barrel ready for receiving fresh organics whilst the other is maturing.

Using your COMPOST-A-LOT step-by-step guide
Please read these instructions carefully before starting. Do not loose this piece of paper! You can stick this these instructions onto the door of your fridge for quick reference.

Getting Started

1. Install the Compost-A-Lot in a shaded to partially-shaded part of your garden on a firm, level surface. Allow enough room in front to of the Compost-A-Lot so that you can work with a wheelbarrow or large basin to fill and empty the barrels. The Compost-A-Lot measures 140 x 70cm. You will need a space approximately 150cm wide by 250cm deep to operate comfortably.
2. When starting with an empty barrel fill no more than half the barrel with organics (see section below for what to use) and a bucket of good compost. This compost will provide the micro-organisms necessary to get the whole decomposition process going. Alternatively use a commercial compost activator available from all nurseries and some supermarkets.
3. After two days turn the barrel a few times. Note this part is most important and the key to the whole composting process. Remember that the barrel contains fragile noo-noos so don't be too rough when turning. Turn your barrel slowly and no more than 3 or 4 times.
4. Repeat turning the barrel every two to three days. Add fresh organics before turning so that the fresh material is incorporated into the decaying matter. This will help reduce smells and attracting unwanted biota such as fruit flies.
5. Once the barrel is about ¾ full and quite heavy it is time to stop adding to this barrel and start with the second empty barrel. Repeat steps 2 to 4 with this barrel.
6. At this point do not add any fresh material to the first barrel. Continue turning this barrel regularly and in about 4 to 6 weeks the contents will be ready to take out. Do not apply compost from the barrel directly to your garden. It is actively composting and will continue to do so for a week or two taking some of your precious plants with it. Rather, empty the compost into bags or a basin, leave for 2 weeks and then use directly as a compost-mulch, or sieve out the big bits and use as part of a potting mix.

Given the above general instructions, one needs to pay particular attention to the following points:

Size of material added: It is important not to clog the Compost-A-Lot with large twigs and long grass runners. These will simply prevent the compost from mixing properly. If you are fortunate enough to have a small chipper at your disposal it is advisable to chip all garden waste before adding it to the Compost-A-Lot. If not, it is sufficient then hand-cut branches and the like with clippers or a machete into pieces no more than 10-15 cm long. Small bits also increase the rate of decomposition by creating more surface area for the noo-noos to work on.

Moisture: Keeping the compost at the right moisture content is critical. Too dry and nothing will happen, too wet and one gets smelly sludge. The general rule is that if you grab a handful of compost it must be moist to the touch but should not leave a muddy smudge on your hand. Also, you should not be able to squeeze any water out the compost. Should the compost be too wet then add dry leaves, grass or wood chips and mix on a daily basis until the right moisture level is achieved. If there is standing water in the bottom of the barrel, turn it upside down with the lid on and allow the water to drain out through the ventilation whole. If the compost is too dry add a half a bucket of water and mix.

Carbon-to-nitrogen ratio: This is very important. One needs to balance the input of nitrogen rich kitchen waste with carbon rich garden waste such as dried leaves and wood chips. If the nitrogen ration is too high then the compost will be slimy. Add dried leaves or woody material to correct the problem. Roughly, a ratio of 1 part kitchen waste to 3-4 parts garden clippings will keep the balance right.

What can I put into the Compost-A-Lot?
Forget what you have heard about what you can or cannot put into a compost heap. The Compost-A-Lot will consume any organic material. Some of the things that we have tried include:

• Garden waste - branches, leaves, grass clippings, shredded grass runners, old potting mix.

• House hold waste - kitchen scraps, old fruit and veggies, meat, dairy products, used cooking oil, wet paper, dirty cardboard, bones, crayfish shells, you name it.

Anything organic that once lived can be composted but the following should be avoided:

• Potentially toxic materials, including pesticides and materials that could have been painted with chemicals.

• Potentially infectious materials, including human faeces and pig and pet manure (e.g. doggy-doo) should be excluded for the sake of safety. Use gloves and other protective clothing when handling them.

• Diseased plants and soil as composting this material will spread the disease via the compost.

• Reusable items and recyclable materials, including books and magazines, clean newspaper and cardboard do not belong in a compost heap. Bits of metal, glass or plastic that will not be decomposed should be excluded.

What to expect from your Compost-A-Lot
There are several things to expect when getting going with your Compost-A-Lot.
Firstly, expect a lot of life to manifest itself in your barrel. Decomposing organic matter will attract a lot of life over and above the microbes present. - flies, beetle larvae, spiders, almost anything. Most of this life will accelerate the decomposition process and is a healthy sign that things are happening. Regular turning of the heap will limit houseflies breeding.
Secondly, don't expect miracles. The Compost-A-Lot will only work as well as the effort you put into it. Follow these instructions. Pay attention to what is happening inside the barrel and explore solutions to problems that suite your particular conditions. A compost heap is a living entity a product of your hands, and as such requires care and attention to flourish. With a bit of effort the Compost-A-Lot will provide you with years of valuable service.