compost tumbler – Freedom Pines Farm

The concept of self-sufficiency, with its promise of independence and sustainability, can be appealing, but it often seems daunting. The truth is, self-sufficiency doesn’t require a radical change overnight. It’s a journey, and you can start small. In this blog post, we’ll explore easy and practical ways to begin your journey towards self-sufficiency, empowering you to take control of your life, resources, and future.

1. Start a Vegetable Garden

Growing your own vegetables is one of the most accessible ways to become self-sufficient. Even a small garden plot or a collection of pots on your balcony can provide a significant portion of your produce. Start with easy-to-grow vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.

2. Learn Basic Food Preservation

Preserve your garden’s bounty and reduce food waste by learning simple food preservation techniques like canning, freezing, and drying. These methods can help you enjoy your homegrown produce year-round.

3. Raise Backyard Chickens

If local regulations permit, consider keeping a small flock of chickens. They provide fresh eggs daily, eat kitchen scraps, and their manure can enrich your garden soil. Chickens are relatively low-maintenance and a great introduction to animal husbandry.

4. Reduce Energy Consumption

Take small steps to reduce your energy dependence. Install LED bulbs, use a programmable thermostat, and unplug devices when not in use. Over time, these changes can lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

5. Compost Your Kitchen Scraps

Composting kitchen waste not only reduces landfill waste but also produces nutrient-rich compost for your garden. A simple compost bin or pile can turn your kitchen scraps into black gold for your plants.

6. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Practice the three Rs diligently. Reduce your consumption of single-use items, reuse what you can, and recycle responsibly. This not only conserves resources but also saves money.

7. Harness Renewable Energy

Consider installing solar panels or a small wind turbine if feasible. Renewable energy sources can provide power to your home and even feed excess energy back into the grid, potentially earning you credits.

8. Learn Basic DIY Skills

Being self-sufficient often means fixing things yourself. Learn basic DIY skills such as plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work. There are countless online resources and tutorials available.

9. Build a Rainwater Collection System

Set up a rainwater harvesting system to collect and store rainwater for gardening and other non-potable uses. It’s an eco-friendly way to reduce your water bills.

10. Cook and Bake from Scratch

Reduce reliance on processed foods by cooking and baking from scratch. Make your own bread, pasta, and snacks. It’s healthier and often more economical.

11. Cultivate Relationships in Your Community

Forge connections with your neighbors and community members. Collaborate on projects, share resources, and support one another. A strong local network can be invaluable in times of need.

12. Practice Mindful Consumption

Think critically about your purchases. Buy quality items that last longer, and avoid impulse buying. A mindful approach to consumption saves money and reduces waste.

Remember, self-sufficiency is a journey, not a destination. Start with one or two of these easy steps that resonate with you, and gradually incorporate more as you become comfortable. The key is to take consistent, intentional actions that align with your values and goals. Over time, you’ll find that self-sufficiency becomes not only achievable but also deeply rewarding, enriching your life in ways you might not have imagined.

If you’re looking to turn your garbage into gardeners gold and do it in a hurry, then you should try a compost tumbler. If you have a compost bin then you know how great it is to add compost to your flower beds and vegetable garden. But making compost takes time and its usually in short supply. A compost tumbler is a great time saver when making compost.

Some gardeners believe that compost is better than fertilizer because it doesnt just feed your plants, it also improves your soil. Improving your soil keeps your plants healthier so they grow stronger and more capable of fighting off diseases or beating droughts. Compost is decomposed organic matter and is high in nutrients that plants love. Bacteria and other micro organisms help break down that decomposing organic matter and their short life cycles become part of the process itself. When they reproduce their offspring continue the process while the parents bodies break down and add to the organic matter. Its natures way of recycling.

VIVOSUN Tumbling Composter Dual Rotating Batch Compost Bin 43 Gallon Black

Creating compost will usually take a couple of months. If you get the ratio of browns to greens right, turn the pile to keep it aerated and dont let it dry out youll be rewarded with fresh earthy compost. The more you tend your compost pile, the quicker your garden waste will become compost. Neglect the pile and it will still become compost but itll take a lot longer. For an example of this examine the rich soil in a forest. As leaves and tree litter fall to the ground, there isnt anyone there making sure its the same wetness as a wrung out sponge. But by the time the next season rolls around, a lot of those leaves have begun decomposing and in the process, theyre feeding the trees and the cycle continues without any help from man.

The gardening season can be very short depending on where you live. In the Northeast we have about 4 months of time to grow the flowers, fruits and vegetables that we love. So unless you have a huge bin of compost ready to go on the first day of spring youll need some more during the growing season. A compost tumbler is perfect for making compost fast. Now you probably wont make enough compost to fill new beds but the amount you can make is perfect to give your plants and nice top dressing.

Or if you are a composter with a pest problem, the compost tumbler will keep the critters out of your pile. The most popular tumblers are sealed up and only have holes for air. If rodents or snakes have been problems for you in the past then the compost tumbler is the solution that youve been looking for.

Theres a few things youll need to do a little differently if youre used to bin composting. First off, youll need to add all the raw materials at once. Dont continue adding or else your compost will never be done. Add what you want and then start turning. Try to turn it everyday. If not everyday then at least a few times a week. The first few batches will take the longest unless you already have some compost that you can toss into the tumbler. Or you can use a compost activator. Thats all activators really are anyway. Just someones elses compost to help get your pile started. The bacteria and micro organisms have to get in there somehow.

Be sure not to over water when using a compost tumbler. Moisture doesnt escape as easily inside the tumbler as with a regular compost bin. And most likely your ingredients such as grass clippings or coffee grinds were already moist to begin with.

After about 3 weeks the compost should start to look like compost. It should be an even color and you shouldnt be able to tell what you put in the tumbler. If your waste is still recognizable then let it decompose a while longer. And dont forget to smell your compost. It should have a nice earthy smell to it.

If youre looking for a neat & compact composting solution that works quickly and wont receive a lot of attention from your neighbors, then look into a compost tumbler. You’ll be tumbling your way to a great garden this season.

Third Rock Compost Bin for Kitchen Counter - 1.0 Gallon Compost Pail with Inner Compost Bucket Liner - Premium Dual Layer Powder Coated Carbon Steel Countertop Compost Bin - Includes Charcoal Filter

PRO TIP: I have a small compost bin inside the house to put vegetable cuttings and scraps in. Once it’s full, I add it to the tumbler outside. It’s a great way to reduce waste and maximize your compost!

Tag: compost tumbler

Simple Steps to Self-Sufficiency: A Beginner’s Guide