Expert: Greg - 11/18/2003

Question
I plan to biuld a barrel type composter using a 55 gallon drum that will lay horizontally on a stand so that I can rotate it.  Do you have any suggestions regarding design and what to compost.  I plan to use kitchen scraps and yard waste - leaves not grass clippings.  How long does it take waste to turn into compost.  Should I use a starter.  I plan to make two chambers so that one can cook while the other is being filled. Will this work?  How do I know when the compost is ready?

Answer
Hello Jim

Im Glad to see that you are Building one of these instead of just Buying one, they can be quite pricey.

There are plans for Tumbler Composters in many Garden Magazines, and to be honest I myself have never built one, so I cannot be much of help in that regard.

You do not have to have a Fancy Design though, just some wood cutouts on some 4x4's to Roll the Drum should do the Trick.


Now as to what to Compost, I can be of Help, don't shy away from Grass Clippings, just use a small amount in the Tumbler. If the Ratio between Leaves to Grass is about 12to1 the Pile should not smell. Heat activates the Decomposition process, so you should locate the Tumbler in Direct Sun, or as close to that as feasable.

As to what things to Compost, anything that Rots. The Ratio of Carbon <brown matter> to Nitrogen <green matter> should be as close to 25 to 1 as you can get. You don't have to weigh everything to achive this, Mother Nature is quite forgiving if you should miss this.

The important thing to remember is what <NOT> to Compost. Bones-Dairy Products-Boiled Vegtables-Any Green Matter that has Salad Dressing on it-Meat or Meat By-products-Pureed anything, that means anything that has been liquified in a Blender-Diseased Plants-Grass that has been treated with an Herbacide. Use Logic.

You need not use or Purchase a Starter Product, they are a Waste of money. Just a few shovelfulls of regular garden soil is all the activator you will need.

How long will this all take? There are many factors that determine this. The smaller the matter is when you put it into the Tumbler, the Faster it will decompose. The Hotter the Temp. is also is a Factor. It would be a Total Guess on my part the exact time you should have Compost.


When you can no Longer Determine what went into the Composter to begin with, is usually the Indicator of when Compost is ready, you should no longer feel heat either. There may be some Larger Pieces that have not Decomposed, just break this up and add them to the New Pile.

If I have missed something here, please don't hesitate to reply with a more Detailed Question. Best of Luck.....Greg