****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I still have to laugh each time I think of how they describe this - "the most beautiful composter in the world", and anything that makes me laugh has an advantage right out of the gate 'cause I appreciate the humor. I wanted to wait 'til I'd made some finished compost before writing a review but Amazon will keep asking me for one in the meantime; I've only had it in use for 6 weeks but so far it's met or exceeded my expectations. First, it doesn't require any assembly - a huge plus for me as I'm a gardener, not a handyman, and not so good with other non-gardening tools. Reviews about putting some of the others together scared me, and then they have problems or fall apart after a fairly short time. I know this won't; it will probably outlive me. All that's required here is tear open the box, push a few plugs in and that was easy, and start using it. OK, you have to put the tumbler on top of the base, even I can do that. I put it on a few 2" H concrete blocks to raise it off the ground because of what I'd read someone else say about getting the liquid - the compost tea, out of the bottom if it's flat on the ground. I can still roll the tumbler off the base when that time comes and I appreciate that other reviewers comment.In spite of how beautiful it indeed is, I'm not going to put it in the middle of my front yard, and that's the only area of my yard that gets full sun in winter. I got two of these and started the second one about a month after the first. They don't get much sun, probably not enough, but here on the central CA coast we rarely get freezing temps, like once in 20 years it might get down to 30. I fully expect gorgeous compost by early spring, if not sooner. (It's 12/2 today; started the first one 10/20.) It definitely is working, compost is cooking away and turning it is so easy, fun even! I'm still working on the formula, haven't been too precise or scientific about it but am following general guidelines from the many sources I've read, and how fun to watch all that stuff that otherwise would be garbage turn into something useful for my gardens.I'd tried composting before without any kind of "store bought" bin and it didn't work for me; I didn't like having it open to varmints and the elements and knew I wasn't going to do what's required to make a big, fancy, 3 bin system and then turn it over and over. Don't have room for that either, would have to sacrifice flowers and vegetables. I don't really like buying "store bought" compost, although I've bought dozens of bags of it through the years. (Wiggle Worm is the exception - store bought compost I like.) This may not be cost effective in the short run for me, at least not 'til maybe ten or 20 years have gone by which is the long run, but if I get the formula down and it cooks faster than it has so far, it will be. Warmer weather and more sunshine - meaning longer days with the sun higher in the sky, will help I'm sure. And in the meantime, it's truly easy and fun to use. BTW, I'm a little old lady, 5' tall, weigh a little over 100 lbs and this month is my first on Medicare, meaning I'm REALLY old - 65. (How on earth, and when did this getting old thing happen?) I definitely recommend this product.
