Where To Place A Compost Tumbler? 5 Important Things To Consider

Choosing the right spot for your compost tumbler plays an important role in planning your backyard space.

A good place can make a big difference in compost quality and convenience, so it’s worth it to consider several key factors before you get started.  

When you pick a place for your compost tumbler, aim for a spot that isn’t in full sun or complete shade, too far away for convenience, or a nuisance to neighbors. Since a proper compost tumbler closed unit, you shouldn’t have to worry about bugs or smells, but it’s still a good idea to position a tumbler closer to the garden than to the house.

Here are the top 5 things to consider about the best place to put a compost tumbler.

Where To Place A Compost Tumbler?

1. Skip a Spot That’s Too Sunny or Too Shady

If you put your compost tumbler in full sun, this is going to dry up all the moisture that’s needed to create a natural composting process.

Compost needs a combination of mild sun and shade to compost properly.

If your tumbler is in a place that experiences intense sun, you’ll need to add water to your tumbler regularly to prevent it from drying out. 

It’s also worthwhile to think about how the sun will hit your compost tumbler in the garden as the seasons change and trees lose their leaves. This can make your spot too cold and shaded for proper microbe activity. 

Instead, choose an area that’s dappled with patches of light and shade to give your compost the best possible environment. 

2. Avoid a Windy Space

Just like you want to avoid baking your compost to a dry brick, it’s important to shield your compost bin or tumbler from too much wind.

While many tumblers are closed to prevent this problem, it all depends on what type of compost situation you have going on. 

Too much wind dries out compost material, slows down the natural process, and makes it necessary to water and turn your compost more often.

If you don’t have enough trees to create a natural windbreak, you can build a small fence or wall to shield your compost from the wind.

3. Think About Convenience

When you choose a place for your compost tumbler, think location, location, location.

If you have a big backyard, are you going to want to run down to the end of the garden every time it’s snowing or raining to empty your kitchen scraps into a bin that’s far away outside? 

Also, consider how far you’re willing to haul composted soil to your garden beds next spring or autumn. 

Finally, it’s wise to position your compost tumbler within easy distance of a water source such as a hose or faucet so you don’t have to lug water a long way to aid the composting process. 

4. Don’t Put it Near the House

A good compost tumbler shouldn’t smell or attract pests. In a perfect world, you would never smell your compost at all.

But in some cases, the microbial process in a compost pile can get unbalanced and cause a smell. This can attract unwanted flies, insects, or rodents to the area, so you’ll be thankful if you don’t put the tumbler right up against your house or on your back deck. 

It’s best to keep any compost bins or tumblers at least 10 feet away from your home. Make sure to also keep it away from your neighbors’ yards as much as possible. If you want to hide your compost tumbler, you can also put up a natural or manmade privacy screen.

Avoid putting a compost tumbler on your deck or patio as well. Since compost needs to be watered and turned on occasion, even the most perfect tumbler can leak and cause unpleasant composting matter to leach onto your patio or deck. 

5. Choose a Flat, Well-Draining Spot

The last thing to consider when placing a compost tumbler in your yard is to pick a spot that’s as level as possible. 

Even more importantly, you’ll want to pick a site that drains well. While compost needs some moisture, you don’t want your compost bin or tumbler to get waterlogged and slimy, especially if it sits close to the ground. 

The best way to check for a well-draining site is to head outside after it rains hard to check where the puddles lie. That way, you can make a more informed decision about your tumbler’s final home. 

To Sum up

While there are a lot of factors to consider about where to put a compost tumbler, not every suggestion may work if you have limited backyard space with few options.

If that’s the case, you don’t need to try to make the situation perfect. Just choose a couple of the most important factors such as a dappled sun and shade location and proximity to your garden beds, if possible. 

Finally, it’s a good idea to get the right size compost tumbler to take care of any grass clippings, leaves, household vegetable matter, or other plant trimmings to suit your lifestyle needs. 

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