Being a crazy composter, I'm often asked whether or not I use more than one compost tumbler to make compost.
The short answer: No way!
Composting is a natural process that occurs regardless of what we use to facilitate it. My first recommendation for anyone new to composting is to consider digging a hole and burying their stuff. I did this for years, and it has its obvious benefits: it's easy, it's free of charge and you don't have to turn the material. In a year or so, it'll disappear.
But now I'm getting ahead of myself a bit.
Everyone's situation is different and relies on a few factors: space, concern for aesthetics and amount of material, among other things. Maybe you have nosey neighbors or there's wild animals around...both of these can be remedied, more or less.
Since you are reading this article, I'm assuming you either have a compost tumbler or are considering one, so let's imagine the scenario. Think about how long it might take you to fill one: A few months or a few weeks? If you think you'll fill it up quickly, how long will it take you to bury that same amount next to the compost tumbler until the tumbler batch is complete? If this sounds familiar, maybe you should consider building a compost bin.
Although a compost bin is not nearly as neat and tidy as a compost tumbler, it certainly has its advantages. It's super cheap to find some chicken wire or a few pallets to tie together. They can handle essentially as much material as you want, and due to the sheer volume of stuff, you'll create higher temperatures and will most likely create compost faster. However, you'll have to turn your pile periodically and also pay attention to moisture levels a bit.
I mess around with both of these types, but I also have a worm composting system, too. I feel like tumblers are best for city slickers like me that have small backyards, neighbors and critters like rats, raccoons and possums strolling around. If I lived out in the country, I'd definitely make large bins since I'd have plenty of yard waste to add. Of course, there's always exceptions.
So do you need two compost tumblers? Nope. Hopefully my experience makes this answer a bit clearer for you. Two compost tumblers would be fun, but is definitely a bit over the top, especially for someone that's just started composting. Get familiar with the process for a while first before you spend a bunch of money unnecessarily.
If you're unsure of where to start in your composting journey, I'd suggest checking out http://www.crazyaboutcompost.com/. Right now, I have a free 7 day email course that will prepare you for your very own compost project.
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