diy compost tumbler?

Will Ferrell

Well-Known Member
Greetings. I am doing what I should have done a long time ago, and that's learning how to compost my used soil.
I haven't done much research on the matter yet, enough to know that I more than likely will need a compost tumbler.
so I guess my first question is, do any of you good Samaritans know of any awesome diy tumbler guides?
I don't even really know where to begin. I guess that just means more research is needed. But I have about 100 gallons of used black gold potting soil starting to pile up in my back yard, most of which is still packed together from the 15 gal pots they were in.
any help is greatly appreciated. Please just keep in mind, I no very little on the subject.
thank you and have a spectacular day.
 

green_machine_two9er

Well-Known Member
...and I already look like a moron.
Recycle used soil sounds like what I need to do. Lots of it.
No no. Your good man. Morons already have all the answers.

I'm fairly new to this to but reusing soil isn't as complicated as I was making it. Just reammnd lightly and age for a bit. Your compost tumbler will be a great source of humus material which can be mixed into your pile o dirt. Earth work farms are great to. Much quicker composting than tumblers or piles.
 

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
Ive used the same dirt for years. Its great and keeps costs low, and better yet, less evidence.

I dont have a tumbler but shovel works good for me, stir it up daily, water as needed. Add root balls and add stems and such too, so cool to watch things get broken down and then be non existent in a matter of days.
They are slightly different. You can add compost to your used dirt. will improve water retention and nutes etc with the humus as mentioned. But you dont have to separate the two.

When im making my soil i focus on soil tilth not really the nutes in the soil, i add nutes during grow..i mean for the most part
 

Will Ferrell

Well-Known Member
I think in the past, every time I looked into the subject, there was something about putting the soil in the oven, and that's when I would stop reading.

some of the soil has been sitting out there over a year. I've tried using as much of it as possible on the house plants, and have recently bought about ten new random plants to try and use up as much soil as possible. Here's a pic of what I have to work with, and I will be adding about 30 more gallons of used soil to the mix.
I'm not a big fan of the shovel. But I enjoy diy projects, so even though I don't know much of the subject, I've kinda got my mind set on a tumbler, just because it sounds like less labor overall.
so in a nutshell, I could make a tumbler, throw all my used soil in, make sure to keep moist, and add humus and probably other stuff, and after the required time, should be safe to use again? Should I be worried about bugs, or am I already getting ahead of myself? Thanks for taking the time for a complete noob.

IMAG0874.jpg
 

Will Ferrell

Well-Known Member
Get some 55 gal plastic drums with lids fill 3/4 way up and lay on its side and roll it every few days. I also will use a lawnmower and push then around for extended periods Randomly. Cheap cheap lol
That's genius lol. I think that's exactly what I'll be doing.
 

anzohaze

Well-Known Member
I have also been debating on same method but buying some caster wheels and 2x8s and laying 2x8 on ground bolting on castersl so it can be rolled in place on a stand but that takes money and don't like spending money
 
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