Learn how to properly use an Earth Machine Composter with these easy to follow instructions.
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Introduction
An Earth Machine is an backyard composter that is simple to set up and easy to use. With a little care, it will provide you with nutrient-rich compost for your garden for years to come.
Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter, such as leaves, food scraps, and manure, into a rich soil amendment. The Earth Machine speeds up this process by providing the ideal environment for microorganisms to break down organic matter quickly.
The Earth Machine is a plastic bin with a lid that sits on legs or can be elevated on a platform. It has several aeration holes in the sides and bottom to provide oxygen for the microorganisms, and a drain hole in the bottom to allow excess moisture to escape.
To use the Earth Machine, you will need:
-Organic waste such as leaves, grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and filters, egg shells, and manure
-A carbon source such as wood chips, sawdust, straw, or dry leaves
-Water
What is an Earth Machine Composter?
An Earth Machine Composter is an enclosed bin in which you can compost your kitchen and yard waste. The bin keeps out pests and animals, retains heat to speed up the composting process, and ventilates the compost to keep it from getting too wet or dry. The end result is nutrient-rich compost that you can use to fertilize your gardens and landscaping.
The Earth Machine Composter is easy to set up and use, and it’s a great way to reduce your impact on the environment by recycling your organic waste. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using an Earth Machine Composter.
1. Set up your Earth Machine Composter in a sunny spot in your yard. If you live in a cold climate, you may need to move the composter into a sheltered spot in winter so it doesn’t freeze.
2. Start adding organic waste to the composter as soon as it’s set up. You can add kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, and eggshells. You can also add yard waste like leaves, grass clippings, and twigs. Avoid adding meat, bones, dairy products, oils, or pet waste because these can attract pests or create odors.
3. Once you’ve added organic waste to the composter, cover it with a layer of brown material like dead leaves or shredded newspaper. This helps regulate the temperature inside the composter and keeps the contents from getting too wet or dry.
4. Stir the contents of the composter every few days to add oxygen and help speed up the composting process. In warm weather, you should see finished compost in as little as two weeks. In colder weather, it may take longer.
5. When the compost is finished, it will be dark brown or black and have a crumbly texture. It will smell earthy but not unpleasant. You can add finished compost to your gardens or landscaping beds as fertilizer for plants
How to Use an Earth Machine Composter
The Earth Machine composter is a great way to compost your food scraps and other organic materials. It is simple to set up and use, and it will help you reduce your waste and improve your garden soil. Let’s take a look at how to use an Earth Machine composter.
Step One: Assemble the Earth Machine Composter
1.Assemble the Earth Machine Composter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The unit should be assembled on a level surface, such as a patio or driveway. Be sure to allow for good drainage beneath the unit.
2. Place the Earth Machine Composter in its final location. If you’re using it on grass, place a piece of plywood or other sturdy material beneath the unit to protect the grass from being killed by the weight of the full composter.
3. Find a spot for your compost bin where it will get some sun but won’t be in the way. The location should also be close to a water source, such as a hose bib or rain barrel, since you’ll need to add water to your compost pile from time to time.
Step Two: Prepare the Composting Materials
Now that the unit is in place, it’s time to start composting. The Earth Machine accepts both “green” (nitrogen-rich) and “brown” (carbon-rich) materials, but the key to successful composting is to maintain a balance of approximately 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen. To do this, you’ll need to mix together approximately three parts brown material (dry leaves, straw, and shredded newspaper) with one part green material (grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells).
When adding food scraps to the composter, it’s important to chop or shred them into small pieces so they will break down more quickly. It’s also a good idea to add a layer of dry leaves or shredded newspaper on top of the food scraps to help discourage pests and keep flies away.
Step Three: Add the Composting Materials to the Earth Machine Composter
Now that the lid is in place, it is time to start adding composting materials to the Earth Machine Composter. You can add just about any organic material to the composter, including fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and even shredded newspaper. Avoid adding meat, bones, or dairy products, as these can attract vermin and create unpleasant odors.
To add material to the composter, simply lift up the lid and drop in the organic waste. Once you have added a few handfuls or a small bucketful of waste, use a pitchfork or shovel to turn the material over so that it mixes with the already-composted matter. This helps aerate the compost and speeds up the decomposition process.
When you are finished adding materials for the day, replace the lid on the composter so that animals cannot get in.
Step Four: Monitor the Earth Machine Composter
Now that you have your Earth Machine Composter fully assembled and working, it is important to monitor it on a regular basis. This will ensure that your composter is working properly and efficiently, and will also allow you to troubleshoot any problems that may arise.
Here are a few things to keep an eye on:
-The compost should be moist, but not soggy. If it is too dry, add more water. If it is too wet, add more dry matter such as leaves or straw.
-The compost should be warm to the touch. If it feels cold, aerate the compost pile or add more green material.
-The compost should have a earthy smell. If it smells bad, aerate the compost pile or add more dry matter such as leaves or straw.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this guide on how to use an Earth Machine composter. We hope that you found it informative and helpful. Composting is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and help your plants and gardens thrive. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
