Setting-up your composter
Setting-up your composter
Setting-up your composter
First select a location to install your composter
that is convenient to move materials to and from,
First select a location to install your composter
First select a location to install your composter
usually close to garden. Choose a flat surface with
that is convenient to move materials to and from,
that is convenient to move materials to and
enough room to be able to rotate the composter
from, usually close to garden. Choose a flat
usually close to garden. Choose a flat surface with
surface with enough room to be able to rotate
and if able, be sure to select a location in direct
enough room to be able to rotate the composter
the composter and if able, be sure to select a
sunlight, to help cook your compost.
and if able, be sure to select a location in direct
location in direct sunlight, to help cook your
sunlight, to help cook your compost.
compost.
To assemble, you will need onle Philips screw
driver. Complete assembly instructions are
To assemble, you will need onle Philips screw
To assemble, you will need onle Philips screw
included on inserted sheets.
driver. Complete assembly instructions are
driver. Complete assembly instructions are
included on inserted sheets.
included on inserted sheets.
What to put in your composter
What to put in your composter
What to put in your composter
The composting process works best by mixing
The composting process works best by mixing
moist greens (nitrogen rich) with dry browns,
moist greens (nitrogen rich) with dry browns,
The composting process works best by mixing
(carbon rich) in a ratio of approximately 2 parts
(carbon rich) in a ratio of approximately 2 parts
moist greens (nitrogen rich) with dry browns,
green to 1 parts browns.
green to 1 parts browns.
(carbon rich) in a ratio of approximately 2 parts
green to 1 parts browns.
Greens are: Garden and house planters, Kitchen
Greens are: Garden and house planters, Kitchen
scraps, Grass clippings
scraps, Grass clippings
Greens are: Garden and house planters, Kitchen
scraps, Grass clippings
Browns are: Twigs, Saw dust, Leaves, Straw/hay
Browns are: Twigs, Saw dust, Leaves, Straw/hay
Browns are: Twigs, Saw dust, Leaves, Straw/hay
Do not Compost: Meats/fats/bones, dairy
Do not Compost: Meats/fats/bones, dairy pro-
products, Trush/Plastic, wood ashes, Invasive
Do not Compost: Meats/fats/bones, dairy
ducts, Trush/Plastic, wood ashes, Invasive plant/
plant/weedts
products, Trush/Plastic, wood ashes, Invasive
weedts
plant/weedts
Trouble shooting
Trouble shooting
1. Compost mix does not heat up:
Trouble shooting
1. Compost mix does not heat up:
• Mix is too wet - add dry brown
1. Compost mix does not heat up:
• Mix is to dry - add water
•
Mix is too wet - add dry brown
• Mix is too wet - add dry brown
•
Mix is to dry - add water
• Mix ratio is off - check green/brown ratio
• Mix is to dry - add water
•
Mix ratio is off - check green/brown ratio
and add accordingly
• Mix ratio is off - check green/brown ratio
and add accordingly
2. Odor
and add accordingly
2. Odor:
2. Odor
• Ammonia smell means too much nitrogen
•
Ammonia smell means too much nitro-
(Green) - add dry brown.
• Ammonia smell means too much nitrogen
gen (Green) - add dry brown.
• Putrid smell (Like rotten eggs) means
•
Putrid smell (Like rotten eggs) means
(Green) - add dry brown.
mix is too wet andqor not enough oxy-
mix is too wet andqor not enough oxygen
• Putrid smell (Like rotten eggs) means
gen - add dry browns to absorb excessive
- add dry browns to absorb excessive
mix is too wet andqor not enough oxygen
moisture and turn composter - open air
moisture and turn composter - open air
- add dry browns to absorb excessive
vent.
vent.
moisture and turn composter - open air
3. Problems with pets/Insects:
3. Problems with pets/Insects
vent.
•
Rodents are attracted to meat and fatty
3. Problems with pets/Insects
• Rodents are attracted to meat and fatty
foods - remove them
•
Flies/Insects are attracted to uncovered
foods - remove them
• Rodents are attracted to meat and fatty
wastes, esprcialy kitchen scarps - mix or
• Flies/Insects are attracted to uncovered
foods - remove them
cover with brown materials or finished
wastes, esprcialy kitchen scarps - mix or
• Flies/Insects are attracted to uncovered
compost.
cover with brown materials or finished
wastes, esprcialy kitchen scarps - mix or
compost.
cover with brown materials or finished
compost.
Grasscycling: Leave grass clippings on
your lawn or use them as much. This is
Grasscycling: Leave grass clippings on
an excellent source of nitrogen and helps
your lawn or use them as much. This is
absorb water
an excellent source of nitrogen and helps
absorb water
Small shredded materials decompose faster.
Run your lawnmower over pine needles or
Small shredded materials decompose faster.
leaves and cut up kitchen scarps to speed
Run your lawnmower over pine needles or
the composting process.
leaves and cut up kitchen scarps to speed
the composting process.
Grasscycling: Leave grass clippings on your
lawn or use them as much. This is an excellent
source of nitrogen and helps absorb water
Small shredded materials decompose faster.
Run your lawnmower over pine needles or
leaves and cut up kitchen scarps to speed the
composting process.
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