finishing compost in compostumbler

Hi Everyone,

We have had a 3 by 3 foot compost bin that has contents that are getting close to being fully composted. I'm really anxious to put some over my plants now though as some of them are not growing very well and seem to show signs of deficiency. We just bought a compact compostumbler from a neighbor. I would like to get compost fast. Do you think it will work to transfer some of the unfinished compost to the tumbler so I could turn it daily to get the finished product really quick. At best, because turning the big compost pile takes a significant chunk of time, we only get out there to turn once a week maybe. But cranking the handle a few times on the compost tumbler takes only a minute each day.

Do you think it will work? Will it not work because the bulk is reduced? If it will, how much to add to the tumbler? I don't want to over load it. If anybody has a tumbler, how full is it when it is near fully composted? By the way, if anybody remembers my post about the fungus gnats, I turned both piles and now the flies are gone. Just needed to turn the newer pile and it got rid of the problem! I also sprinkled cinnamon which may have helped too.

Thanks!
Shelly

I have an empty compost tumbler after using the contents for my last batch of MM. I am going to try the same thing, put some of my half-finished stuff in it and turn it a couple of times a day.

Wonder if I should add my grass clippings to it to heat up?

I have had another thought, sgeades.

If you need to use your compost right away, then sift some of your near-finished stuff and use that as it will be ready. The remainder can then be added to your tumbler plus new grass clippings to heat it up.

With a tumbler you need to fill it up in one go, as far as you are comfortable with handling, then let it compost until ready. Meanwhile add to your 3x 3 anything new that needs to be composted.