Composting newbie needs tips

[Kristen]

Hi everyone. I live in Pasadena, California and have just started composting. I use the compost tumbler and collect kitchen scraps in a small container under the sink.

My question is, how often should I be emptying the pail into the tumbler? My first run, everything sat there for about a month - when I went to empty it into the tumbler, I noticed small fruit flies and mold. The area I keep my pail is right next to the dishwasher which tends to get hot when the machine is running. Hot and humid.

Also, if I'm continually adding new material to the tumbler, when can I expect it to be ready for use?

Any help would be much appreciated!!

[red]

hi Kristen, and welcome

I empty my compost bin thingy several times a day.. but then i fill it several times a day at the moment! - harvesting produces waste...

i would aim for daily though.. as we did have mice and try to get rid of all waste before bed time to discourage them...

[Annpan]

I empty mine 2 or 3 times a week I wouldn't want to leave it much longer than that And I also collect alot of compostable material, but then we compost pretty much everything

As for when your compost would be ready (and I am guessing a tumbler is one of those with a handle to turn it) My guess would be 6 months after you stop filling it - for those 6 months you could start a pile elsewhere to be put in your tumbler once the stuff that is in it has turned to compost.

[Kristen]

Thanks everyone! That's really helpful! I'm so glad I found this place!