Follow these steps to turn your compost.

1. Open the composter completely by undoing the side release buckles. Leave the snapped ends attached.

   
   Open the composter

2. Move the composter off the composting material and reassemble it next to the pile of composting material. At this point, the composter is empty and the pile of composting material is sitting next to the composter.

   
   Set it up nearby -- empty.

3. Using a pitch fork, move the composting material from the pile back into the composter.

   Be careful not to strain your back. Bend your legs to lift the material. Cut down the height of the composter along the guidelines if it is too tall for you to lift over comfortably. Use a sturdy step stool to get up higher next to the composter if you need to. Ask a teenager to move the compost if the lifting and turning is too risky for your back.

   
   Fork the material into the bin.
   Amend the compost as needed.

4. As you are forking the composting material into the bin, check it for enough moisture, enough brown material and enough green material. Read the booklet "More than Ten Terrific Tips for Successful Composting" to get more information about amending your compost. The forking/mixing/fluffing/moving will add lots of air and keep the compost cooking.
   
   
5. Call, write or e-mail us with any questions. We're committed to helping you be successful at composting. Happy Gardening!