Our New Compost Tumbler
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Gardening has a way of teaching us patience, rhythm, and renewal. Seeds don’t grow overnight, flowers don’t bloom in an instant, and good soil takes time to build. This week, we took the first step in a new part of our gardening journey—we bought a compost tumbler off Amazon, assembled it in the backyard, and have already started filling it.
It’s only been a few days, but the process already feels exciting. Each time we add a handful of scraps or turn the barrel, I’m reminded that something small is happening under the surface—something that will, in time, bring rich rewards to our garden.
Why We Decided to Compost
We’ve always wanted our garden to feel like a full circle: growing vegetables, enjoying them at the table, and then giving back to the soil so it can keep nourishing new plants. Composting closes that loop beautifully. Instead of throwing kitchen scraps into the trash, we’re giving them new life, turning what would have been waste into nourishment for the garden.
The tumbler felt like the right choice because:
It’s compact and doesn’t take up much room.
It’s sealed, so no pests will get in.
It’s simple to use—just spin it to keep things moving.
It should make compost faster than a traditional pile.
Click the link below to buy the tumbler we are using (affiliate link).
We’re still learning, but it feels good to know this little barrel is helping us move toward a healthier, more sustainable garden.
What We’ve Put In So Far
In just these first few days, we’ve started adding scraps from our kitchen and bits from the yard. So far, the tumbler holds:
Vegetable peelings
Banana peels
Some yard clippings
It’s surprisingly satisfying to scrape plates into the compost container or tear down a cardboard box and know it’s going to turn into something useful. Each addition feels like an investment into the future health of the garden.
What You Can and Can’t Add to a Compost Tumbler
One of the most important parts of composting is knowing what belongs in the bin—and what doesn’t. A good balance of materials keeps your compost healthy, breaking down quickly without bad odors or pests.
Things You Can Add
Fruit and vegetable scraps (peels, cores, trimmings)
Crushed eggshells
Yard clippings, pulled weeds (that haven’t gone to seed)
Dry leaves, straw, or small twigs
Shredded cardboard and plain paper (no glossy coatings)
Coffee and tea grounds (with filters or bags if unbleached)
Houseplant clippings
Things to Avoid
Meat, fish, or dairy (they cause odors and attract pests)
Oily or greasy foods
Pet waste (cats, dogs, etc.)
Diseased plants
Weeds that have gone to seed
Glossy or coated paper and cardboard
Large branches or sticks (they break down too slowly)
Keeping to this list helps the tumbler do its job more effectively and ensures that, when your compost is ready, it’s clean, safe, and nutrient-rich for your garden.
What We’re Looking Forward To
Right now, everything inside the tumbler looks a little messy—a mix of scraps, leaves, and some dirt. But in a few weeks or months, that same mix will be dark, crumbly compost, ready to enrich our raised beds and pots.
Here are the benefits we’re most excited about as we wait:
1. Healthier Soil
Our raised beds have been productive, but they always need replenishing. Compost will help improve the soil structure, add nutrients, and hold moisture better. Stronger soil means stronger plants.
2. Less Trash
Even after just a few days, we’ve noticed the trash can filling up more slowly. That’s only going to get better as we keep diverting food scraps into the tumbler.
3. Cost Savings
Instead of buying bags of compost or fertilizer at the store, we’ll be making our own. It’s encouraging to think that what’s in the tumbler today will become free, homemade soil food in the near future.
4. A Sense of Renewal
There’s something beautiful about the cycle: scraps from dinner one night will one day feed the vegetables we eat another night. Nothing is wasted—everything has a purpose.
How We’re Starting the Process
Because it’s only the beginning, we’re keeping things simple.
Adding greens and browns: Trying to balance scraps (greens) with things like cardboard and dried leaves (browns).
Turning often: Giving the tumbler a spin every couple of days so it gets air and mixes evenly.
Watching moisture: If it seems too wet, we’ll add more browns. If it seems too dry, we’ll add more fresh scraps and a splash of water.
For now, it’s a waiting game—but a hopeful one.
Patience in the Waiting
Starting a compost tumbler feels a lot like planting seeds. At first, there’s not much to see. But beneath the surface, life is at work, breaking things down and preparing something new. It’s a slow transformation, but in time, it will be worth it.
I’m already looking forward to the day we open the hatch and find rich compost inside, ready to be spread around our garden. It feels like another step toward the kind of home and life we want to cultivate—one that values creativity, renewal, and care for the world around us.
Looking Ahead
These are just the first few days, and already I can see the potential. Soon, the tumbler will be full, the materials inside will heat up, and the transformation will begin. A few months from now, we’ll be scooping out our first batch of “garden gold.”
Until then, we’ll keep filling, turning, and waiting with patience!
By Leah Ann Grace
