Compost Bins - Emptying, Mixing and Turning - Part 1 - September 2026
A couple weeks ago, I posted photos and details of how I was emptying the compost tumbler of finished compost (black gold) and top-dressing the dahlias around the garden. And, stashing piles of compost in beds that I'd like to improve after the growing season (like the pizza oven bed that is full of clay). #14 on my 2026 to-do list is to be an active compost gardener. To be that, I need to turn the bins. For me, that's an annual process. I do it in late Summer/Fall. And, that process was something that I recently started. This post will cover part one (not sure how many parts there will be) of that process. First, let's start off with the state of play with the three bin setup. Left = holding bin. The freshest material. Not properly mixed. Center = mixed bin. Material that is (at least) one-year aged. And (hopefully) properly mixed. Right = finishing bin. Two-y...