Comments on: Vermicomposting: Composting with Worms

By: Lani

Lani — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:29:14 +0000

you could chuck in some shredded paper and cardboard.

By: steve

steve — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:38:17 +0000

@Sheri, I suggest vermicomposting, i.e. using worms to break down your kitchen scraps. For regular composting, you need lots of browns, i.e. carbons (browns), which you would likely not have a source of living in a flat or apartment. With vermicomposting, you get the benefit not needing to add leaves and other browns, so you have a place to add your kitchen scraps. The liquids produced from the worms is a great fertilizer as well as the worm castings. here is more info on vermicomposting http://compostguide.com/vermicomposting-composting-with-worms/

By: Sheri

Sheri — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:41:54 +0000

Hi. I live in a flat. I have some potted plants. I would like to make compost as a way of putting organic waste to good use. What is the best method? Thanks

By: steve

steve — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:44:16 +0000

Sherri, Yes, get two bins and one lid. Drill holes in the bottom of the top bin so it can drain into the bottom bin. Punch holes in the top bin lid and around the sides for venting. If you want to get fancy you can put a spout in the bottom bin to drain the liquids. Sounds like a great project for scouts. Good luck!

By: Sherri

Sherri — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 02:29:32 +0000

I would like to share a lesson on Vermicomposting with my Cub Scouts. I would possibly like to set up an example of a bin with worms. What is a low cost/effective method or bin I could use? Would a rubber bin work? Thanks in advance.

By: steve

steve — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:03:11 +0000

@ivanna, You are likely doing nothing wrong. Remember the worms eat the food as it breaks down, not the actual food. Make sure it fairly well chopped up to start the breaking down process and don’t over feed them. Vermicomposting takes longer than standard composting. As for the smell outdoors, you may have too much food or something rotten that should not be in there. Make sure the majority of the items in the bin are browns, and bury the greens deep in the mix to help with the smell.

By: ivanna

ivanna — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:02:27 +0000

Hello! Thanks for your site. I just stared composting with worms and without them, I have my red worms inside and they are doing fine, but it seems they take too long to eat the few kitchen scraps that I give them. And the bin outside stinks too much. What am I doing wrong?

By: steve

steve — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:51:37 +0000

@mc, Yes, I would go with vermicomposting. Worms are great for your situation.

By: mc

mc — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:33:02 +0000

I’ve been reading up to start my own compost (already have the bin), but am concerned that I will have primarily kitchen scraps. I do have a yard and can easily scrounge up some brown material, but probably won’t be able to keep a 2:1 ratio (between brown and green). Should I consider doing vermicomposting instead?

By: steve

steve — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:06:23 +0000

Chloe, Adding red wiggler worms is not necessary unless you have a fully enclosed bin. When you compost with worms it’s a little different than composting without. It’s called vermicomposting and you typically just add food scraps and not leaves and grass. If you add worms to a regular bin you will have a hard time keeping them from escaping. You may want to consider vermicomposting, I do both regular composting and vermicomposting and enjoy them both equally. Here is a little more info http://compostguide.com/vermicomposting-composting-with-worms/