Installation is easy:

Your Thirsty Earth Compost Kit includes:

1 - 5 gallon auto fill bucket/reservoir
4 - Olla Cotta Cups
3 - 1/4 push-to-connect tees
1 - 1/4 push-to-connect elbows
1 - 1/4 push-to-connect shut off
2 - 1/2 NPT female to 1/4 push-to-connect
1 - 3/4 female spigot adapter to 1/4 push-to-connect
1- 25' roll of 1/4" tubing

*Compost bin not included.

We recommend open, aerated compost bins like this one because adding kitchen waste to piles can be toxic for dogs, so keeping it out of their reach is important. Tumblers take a lot of babysitting and use a lot of water. Also, the static composter bins with a lid on top and a lid at the bottom can be flimsy and frustrating to use and prone to going anaerobic from lack of airflow.

The Ultra-Easy Thirsty Earth Backyard Compost System:

Step 1:  Fill Bin 1 with 50% browns and 50% greens, lasagna style and install our compost watering kit. This will be your actively cooking compost.

Examples of greens: Food scraps, green grass, coffee grounds, fresh yard waste.

Examples of browns: Shredded paper, shredded cardboard, sawdust, straw, dry brown grass, dry leaves.

Step 2:  While Bin 1 is cooking for the next few months, add any new material to Bin 2.

Step 3: Once Bin 1 is done cooking and you have usable compost (it should crumble and have an earthy smell), just move your watering system to Bin 2.

Step 4: Empty your usable compost from Bin 1 into buckets or a pile.

Step 5:  Use Bin 1 as your new “add to” bin.

Step 6:  Rinse and repeat.

The ideal moisture level for compost is that of a moist wrung out sponge and ollas are a perfect match with their slow seepage method of watering. Our system won't drench your compost. If you find your compost is too damp, you can remove an olla.

Using a combination of a well aerated composter or pile and our olla cups, it should get adequate aeration. If it gets really stinky and needs a turn, our system can be easily removed and put back in. Be sure to add browns if that happens to prevent it happening again.

Yes, you can dig in food scraps with a trowel. Keep in mind if you keep adding to it, you extend the time it takes to break down. Feel free to add materials to balance your "greens" and "browns" if needed.

We do recommend having 2 compost bins and 1 finished compost pile to use.

Any static (non-tumbling) compost bin or pile will work with The Thirsty Earth Compost Watering System.

Many organic materials can be put in your compost. Avoid meats, dairy, as well as glossy colored paper or cardboard and other inorganic materials. Plain paper or brown cardboard works fine.

Try your best to balance "greens" and "browns"

Onions, citrus, and similar can be composted with a few caveats. They will slow your compost down and deter earthworms. Use at your discretion.

If it's stinky it's gone anaerobic, meaning there's an abundance of nitrogen and not enough oxygen in it. Temporarily pull out your system and turn the compost manually. Add in more "browns" as you do, and try to mix in some rougher materials that will create space for airflow.

Check the moisture level to see that it's not drenched, as being completely waterlogged will have a similar effect.

First, check around your cotta cups to make sure your system is watering.

If it is, check to see if your compost materials are so bulky and rough they're not giving water a chance to wick through the entire bin. Torn up cardboard and straw are common culprits there. Finer materials like coffee grounds, wood shavings and sawdust, grass, etc. will help fill in the gaps and help moisture to spread.

You can also double the water output of your cups by raising the bucket reservoir 2.3 feet above the level of the compost they're in.

If your compost is in a sunny location with high winds, consider moving it to sheltered shade.

Static composting will see your compost ready in 3-9 months depending on your ingredients and climate. With the Thirsty Earth system giving just the right amount of moisture, it can help it be at the sooner end of that spectrum.

When compost is ready it's a deep brownish black color with a tendency to gently clump while being crumbly in one's hands. It has a rich earthy smell like soil after a fresh rain and is NOT stinky.

If it's taking way too long check your temperatures and see if you need to add more greens or turn your compost.