For some time now I’ve been planning to start composting. Now, this is not the first time I’ve thought of this, or even tried it. The trouble is that I’m lazy. I’m ashamed to say that one time I went as far as buying several large trash cans that I thought would do the composting job for me. They were a lot less expensive than something like a tumbling composter, which was what I really wanted at the time. That was the good part…
I filled them up, then totally neglected to check the moisture levels and turn the contents. Alas, being lazy with compost doesn’t work, unless maybe you get the right kind of composter. There are three main composting methods and five ways I’ve come across to make the job manageable for lazy, or just plain busy, or forgetful, people. No matter what you choose there is some work involved. I really believe it can be manageable, and fun, when you pick out the composting method and composter which is the right one. By the way, I just happen to be hoping that writing about composting will give me the willpower and impetus to get started with composting for real 
For the first method of composting regular mixing of the stuff is essential. You can save your energy, and your back, by the lazy method of tumbling.
Tumbling Composters
Tumbling composters come in many types. I’ve practically done enough research by this point to fill a book. Each time I read I come back to picking the Tumbleweed Composter as the best ready-made option amongst the tumbling, mixing, and rolling type of composters. It’s compact, is written up as being durable, seems to be easy to put together, is easy to turn, appears to work, and is about the least expensive of this group.
Now, I can’t say it’s the perfect composter, or even the perfect tumbler. It is pricey and is not made from recycled plastic. You still need to pay attention to the ratio of brown versus green matter you put in it, the moisture level is likely to need at least a little attention, and you do need to make the effort to put your waste in it and remember to turn it! You can make a composting tumbler for less money than you can buy one for, but we’re being lazy here, remember, and making things is not for the lazy.
Tumbling composters rely on fungi and bacteria to break down the vegetable matter wastes, thus recycling refuse into a useful form for gardening. There must be tons of links out there about composting and even fun sites for kids. I’m being lazy today though so I only have one link for you: How Composting Works. It covers the basic science of composting so you won’t be flummoxed when your kids ask you.
Now I just need to get over my laziness enough to post part 2 next week. Guess what though, I already started it
Grass and Autumn Leaves is reproduced here under a creative commons license. All rights belong to the original copyright owner.
Amazon.com carries the Tumbleweed Composter.
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I’m a lazy composter. I never turn the pile. But my goal is more to keep the kitchen and yard waste out of the landfill, so it doesn’t matter how fast it decomposes. So I just toss it all on the pile and try to cover the “green” stuff like kitchen scraps with the “brown” stuff like leaves.
I’m in good company then with my composting laziness. However, I need to stop being a perfectionist and get down to doing this
really there is nothing less needing work than compost, pile it up and leave it.
you only have to work if you want it quickly.
What I’m hearing is that it’s pretty easy to be a lazy composter. So much for all those books and products for composting! Are they just marketing hype, or is it that a lot of people:
1) need the compost quickly
2) want to make compost that they can shovel up and use
3) have limited space?
Maybe I’m just a control freak. Somehow it seems like I want more than a big pile of slowly rotting stuff. Later…
your two points there of need it quickly and not enough space, thats going to happen to everybody who does not own acres. i have a wee garden and have five compost bins, they are all full. so the rest of the stuff goes into the green bin to the recycling centre, not wasted but ‘lost to me’. I’ll empty and use three bins soon, having been on the go for 2 years. and the other two might, if I’ve nothing else to do which doesn’t happen often, get emptied and put back in-turned-if not I’ll leave them till next year.
all the books and products? sit back and relax and enjoy the garden instead!!
“all the books and products? sit back and relax and enjoy the garden instead!!”
My dream, a bountiful garden that can mostly take care of itself. Apparently there’s a lot of brain power and work to get there though.
I’m not sure that I’ve ever been able to sit still without a book in my hands, unless of course I am with a friend who can chat over a cup of tea. Now, that I can do in either my kitchen or my garden, unless it’s winter, 90F outside, or I’m being plagued by mosquitoes of course!
Some friends of mine tried composting – I’m not sure of the method they used but instead of lovely mulch to put on their garden they ended up with a maggot farm. I am now “a-feered” of composting in any way shape or form. The dogs will eat most of our leftovers, and we leave the leaves to their own devices. Some other friends have chickens who will eat all their scraps, but I’m not quite willing to buy entire chickens only to have them become dog treats.