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Bio-Orb Composter Information
Composting Basics:
Biology
The compost pile is really a teeming microbial farm. Bacteria start the process of decaying organic matter. They are the first to break down plant tissue and are also the most numerous and effective composters. Fungi and protozoans soon join the bacteria then, somewhat later in the cycle, centipedes, millipedes, beetles, and earthworms do their part.
Materials
Anything growing in your yard is potential food for these tiny decomposers. Carbon and nitrogen from the cells of dead plants and dead microbes fuel their activity. The microorganisms use the carbon in leaves and woodier wastes as an energy source. Nitrogen provides the microbes with the raw element of proteins to build their bodies.
Everything organic has a ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) in its tissues, ranging from 500:1 for sawdust to 15:1 for table scraps. A C:N ratio of 30:1 is ideal for the activity of compost microbes. This balance can be achieved by mixing two parts grass clippings (which has a C:N ratio of 20:1) with one part fallen leaves (60:1) in your compost. Layering can be useful in arriving at these proportions, but a complete mixing of ingredients is preferable for the composting process. Other materials can also be used, such as weeds and garden waste. Though the C:N ratio of 30:1 is ideal for a fast, hot compost, a higher ratio (i.e., 50:1) will be adequate for slower compost.
Surface Area
The more surface area the microorganisms have to work on, the faster the materials are decomposed )similar to a block of ice in the sun - slow to melt when it is large, but melting very fast when broken into smaller pieces). Chopping your garden waste into small pieces will speed their composting.
Volume
A large compost pile will insulate itself and hold the heat of microbial activity. Its center will be warmer than its edges. Piles smaller than 3 feed cube (27 cubic feet) will have trouble holding its heat, while piles larger than 5 feet cubed (125 cubic feet) do not allow enough air to reach the microbes at the center.
Moisture and Aeration
All life on earth needs a certain amount of water and air to sustain itself. The microbes in the compost pile are no different. They function best when the compost materials are about as wet as a wrung out sponge and are provided with many air passages. Extremes of sun or rain can adversely affect this moisture balance in your pile.
Time and Temperature
The hotter your compost pile is the faster it will decompose. If you use materials with the proper C:N ratio, provide a large amount of surface are and a big enough volume and see that the moisture and aeration are adequate, you will have a hot, fast compost.
Important Usage Tips
Do not overfill your Bio-Orb: The weight of wet and fully composted material and your physical ability will dictate how much to fill the Bio-Orb. Use good judgement when removing composted materials to ease movement.
Rolling your Bio-Orb: When your Bio-Orb is heavy from fullness and/or density of materials, tip it up on its equator (the seam with the bolts), pivot balancing the Bio-Orb on its ribs to its equator for turning and stirring compost. When on its equator, Bio-Orb can be balanced so contents can be shifted and mixed by rolling it. The rib sections on each side of the equator can act as handles to shake the unit back and forth in between rollings.
Removing the lid of your Bio-Orb: The Bio-Orb lid is designed to be firm fitting to keep materials in while rolling and to keep small children and wildlife out while it is stationary. As mentioned in the assembly instructions, use a flat-tipped screwdriver to pop off your Bio-Orb lid.
Moisture Content in Your Bio-Orb: Adequate moisture content is important for proper decomposition. The contents in your Bio-Orb should be about as moist as a wrung out sponge. If there is not enough moisture, add water. If there is too much moisture, remove the lid for a while. If too much moisture is a continuous problem in your region, drill three to five 1/2" holes in the bottom of the Bio-Orb to allow further drainage.
Breaking up Clumps in Your Bio-Orb: A 3-claw garden tool can be used to break up any clumps of material that may form from time to time in your Bio-Orb.
Stationary Position of Your Bio-Orb: When you are finished using your Bio-Orb, return it to its upright position. If it is left sitting on its side when full or partially full, it will cause the Bio-Orb to become deformed.
Bio-Orb Basics
1. Fill it... Place your grass clippings, shredded leaves and other organic material into the Bio-Orb and moisten the contents with a garden hose - taking care not to saturate the contents. Close the lid and roll the Bio-Orb to mix the contents.
2. Roll it... Roll the Bio-Orb every 2 to 10 days. Rolling more often than every two days will not allow proper heat build-up while rolling less often than every 10 days will not provide enough oxygen to the contents to ensure the fast Bio-Orb composting times.
3. Compost it... Roll the Bio-Orb to where the compost is needed. Pop open the lid and empty the compost through the large opening.
Tips:
Shred materials - large pieces slow the composting process. Shred leaves or paper with a lawn mower or shredder.
Roll Bio-Orb - Rolling provides oxygen, mixes the material and speeds up the composting process.
Maintain moisture - Make sure the contents are moist, but not soggy.
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 Copyright © 2004-2006 Sparky Boy Enterprises. All rights reserved.
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