A Los Angeles-based gardener turned to Reddit when their composter wasn't delivering the desired results.
After five months of composting in a two-chamber tumbler, they were still seeing material that did not look fully broken down.
Other composters quickly pointed to one likely culprit: a lack of moisture.
What's happening?
The post, on Reddit's r/composting, described a bin kept in full sun and filled with chicken manure, coop shavings, produce scraps, and eggshells.
Frustrated by how little progress it seemed to be making, the original poster sought advice.
"Shouldn't the stuff be breaking down more?" they asked. "The setup is under full sun. Do I need to add more worms?"
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Most replies pushed back on the worm idea and instead focused on the state of the compost itself.
"Stop adding worms," one commenter wrote. "It's too dry and the worms got hot and hopefully escaped."
Moisture came up again and again in the discussion. Several users said a tumbler sitting in full sun can heat up and dry out quickly, with one commenter reducing the goal to a simple rule.
"Should be as wet as a wrung out [sponge]," they noted.
"The bin will get hot and dry out quick if in full sun all day, so you should experiment with how much water gets you to the wrung out sponge level of moisture," another added.
Why does it matter?
A bin that is too dry can stall decomposition, while an overly hot setup can be a poor fit for worms.
That can be frustrating for gardeners because healthy compost can make growing plants or food cheaper and easier. It can improve soil structure, reduce the need to buy commercial products, and support stronger harvests. For households growing herbs, tomatoes, or other produce, that can mean saving money at the grocery store and getting fresher, better-tasting food at home.
Gardening also offers benefits beyond the plate. Working outside can support physical activity, while tending plants can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
What can I do?
Commenters recommended approaching watering as ongoing rather than a one-time fix.
One user said they check the compost while watering the garden and add more water when it no longer looks visibly wet, which for them was "about 2-3 times a week."
Others described the target in terms of feel, not just volume, again using a wet sponge as a reference point.
"Enough so it's damp, but NOT soggy wet," they advised. "Then keep adding as needed to keep it like a damp sponge."
Another said they soak cardboard before adding it. Placement could be part of the problem too, according to the commenters. A tumbler left in full sun in a warm place such as Los Angeles can dry out faster than expected, and users warned that worms may struggle in a hot bin full of chicken manure.
"More greens + more water," a user commented. "How often are you spinning them? Also don't add worms, I don't think they work well with tumblers and usually die."
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