We use Swheat Scoop (wheat based) litter for our two indoor cats. We flush the poop, and I want to compost remaining used litter (urine).

My plan is to either just spread the finished product on our acreage or use it on my flowers - we aren't planning to use it on the veggie garden.

I've purchased a (smaller) tumbling compost bin just specifically for this project.

My current plan (subject to revision!) is to add a layer of soil (which will most likely have worms in it), a layer of used litter, and then a layer of kitchen scraps. Tumble at least once a week.

Two things I'm unsure about - Can I just keep adding to this every few weeks? Or do I have to process one batch before I can add more?

Basically I'm wondering if I have to stockpile a bunch of the cat litter first so as to make a large mixture first time out....then not add any more litter until the first batch is ready to be removed from the tumbler.

My other question may sound quite dumb, but is the wheat-based litter considered a green or brown product in composting terms?

Any thoughts/suggestions on the best layering recipe including proper proportions would be welcomed, as would any other hints.

Because this isn't a really big composter I'm hoping that the processing time isn't going to be so long that I end up needing to buy another unit...but will do whatever I need to do.

TIA! ~Kristen

Yes you can keep adding, but when the bin is full, you will have to find somewhere else to put it until the batch is done, or at least done enough (maybe several weeks) that you can removed it and pile it somewhere to cure.

Me, I would use some other kind of bin or series of small bins so continuous batches are possible. A small triple bin made of pallets, for example.

I'm not sure whether the wheat litter is green or brown, but I'll almost guarantee you will need some additional brown material to prevent ammonia/urine odors. Shredded paper, sawdust or leaves come to mind.

Good luck!

But regardless, tumbling composters are geared towards batch processing. So you will certainly want to process one batch before adding materials for the next batch. You'll have to experiment to come up with the right proportion of materials to add (and how finely you want the chopped) for fastest batch processing.

You might want to come up with a means for storing the next batch while waiting for the previous batch to be completed.

Based on the fact that the litter is "non-food grade wheat," I would hazard that this would be classified as a high-nitrogen "green." So you would want to add browns, as toxcrusadr suggests, in order to compost.

I also agree that worms will not be likely to survive in a tumbler. Perhaps you could try two different composting operations side-by-side?

Have a pile of browns handy, observe and adjust would be the way to approach it.