Indoor Composting Ideas

[krissy]

I am wondering if I anyone can tell me how to go about an indoor composting especially during winter and heavy rains when it's just so cold and wet to go outside.

I am thinking about getting worms to decompose leftovers and kitchen scraps.

[fleurdelys]

I read something about making a "worm bin," which is basically a box with earthworms in it. You throw your scraps in it and keep the box moist. The worms will then eat the scraps and the dirt they excrete will be nitrogen rich.

Not so sure how to go about it though. I think you might need to construct in a way that it won't be to smelly and messy. I know there are some commercially available boxes out.

[gardengirl]

You can compost all winter long! Indoor composting relies on red worms in a container. When you feed them they'll create beautiful loamy compost from your vegetable scraps.

You can't just go and dig some worms from your garden and bring them inside. These special little wrigglers are normally found in well aged manure piles. You can also get them from a fishing supply store.

Red worms are hungry little creatures. They like warm places so under your kitchen sink could be a perfect home for them.

You can buy a special container at your garden store or online. Holes are drilled on the top and sides for good air circulation. The holes on the bottom are for seepage. You put a tray under the container to capture any seepage. Some people put their containers on bricks or blocks of wood for better circulation.

You fill the container up to about a foot deep with damp shredded cardboard, sawdust, shredded leaves, loam or topsoil, dried grass clippings or even newspaper.

Start tossing in your veggie scraps. In no time at all you'll have some very lovely compost. Keep repeating this process all during the cold months.

[farmerpiper]

I have done vermicomposting during the winter season , and it was a great way to chase away the boredom while getting my compost in time for spring. A garden store can provide you with a worm bin but I made use of an old container where I poked the walls with small holes for air circulation.

As for the worms, you can decide between nightcrawlers and red wriggler worms. You can also get these worms from the garden store.

Then add shredded paper at the bottom, a little soil then you will have your bin ready for your worms , kitchen scraps and coffee grounds.

[rosiethumb]

I am interested in doing vermicomposting also.

If I am to do it, what would be the size of my worm bin.

Does it give off a smell?

[dumbledorf17]

Depending on the amount of kitchen scraps you have every week, you can determine what type of bin and its size, It should have a lid which fits tightly. Put small holes, in the bottom and sides of the container. holes may be 1/4 inch in size and made every 3-4 inches. this would permit air to pass in and out of the container. Don't put holes in the top cover.

If you have shredded paper then put it first to so it will be from the bottom to about half of the container.

It is better to wet the shredded paper before putting in the bin. It should be wet enough that you can wrung out a little water if you squeeze it. If your water is chlorinated you may put it in a container and let the chlorine evaporate overnight before wetting the shredded papers. When you put in the papers don't compact it. There should be air pockets and spaces in between for the worms to crawl and burrow through.


Then you may add garden soil ----a handful or two. The worms will digest this and the garden soil will provide the microbial bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms.

The worms will go in next about a half pound of them. Close the lid and don't disturb to get them used to the environment inside.

You can feed them your kitchen scraps about 3-5 days after.

[krissy]

I guess I have enough information to start my indoor compost now. Hopefully in 2-3 months time I can have my first harvest of compost.

[Edward12]

If you placed a half pound of worms in your bin you may add a quarter of scraps daily but be sure to avoid overfeeding. If you have more scraps, freeze them. If you have enough time, you chop the scraps into smaller pieces. It will take lesser time for the worms to convert that into compost.

Foods that your worms will love include:

fruit and vegetable peelings and scraps
leftover vegetables (cooked)
Eggshells which can be grounded
Legumes and nuts without salt
coffee grounds and teabags
rice and pasta (plain)
olive oil, soybean oil and other vegetable oils

they don't like to eat these stuff:

salt and salty foods, vinegar
alcohol
meat, dairy, animal fats
citrus
onion peels
fruit pits
rotten fruits

[vermigiant]

Unlike a regular compost pile or bin, you avoid mixing up or disturbing the bed where the earthworms are present. An increase in temperature within the bed should be avoided because this will kill the worms. You will know that the worms are working if you observe the height of the food and the bedding.

You can harvest in 4-6 months. You will know that the worm population has increased and are overcrowded already because you will see worms climbing on the walls and on the lid in search for more space and food. You should harvest if you can spot these changes inside the bine.

[starcandy]

Will there be a smell with this process? I don't mind the worms and all, but I am worried if there would be a stench.

[vermigiant]

Bad smells in a vermicompost bin is an indicator that something is wrong.

Remember you should avoid giving rotten foods to the worms because they don't want to feed on materials that can increase the temperature inside the bin.

[vermigiant]

I use rubbermaids with lids for my bin. keeps ants and other pests out.

[farmerbrie]

Indoor Compost Bin

Found this link really informative. Great pictures too on How to make an at home indoor compost bin that DOESN’T stink.

[mistermaster]

I opted to use wigglies for indoor composting in a simple plastic container in which I drilled holes. This is a good thing to do during winters. In summer, I usually maintain a pile in the backyard.

My rule of thumb is about a half pound of wigglies ~you get 500 worms or so~ for every cubic foot. I feed my worms daily.

[Edward12]

you can take a pick from indoor kitchen composters or indoor compost bins.

These are available online and they are designed to fit right under your sink.

There are also indoor compost bins which are fully automatic and they got built-in computers! The computer regulate compost temperatures, mixing and air flow---the works!!!! You get viable compost every 10 days or so. And it also has a "cure tray" for the compost which you can easily empty.

[John S.]

Holes in your containers are very important for air circulation and drainage. This is true for all worm composting bins.

You can also mount your bins on top of wood blocks or bricks to elevate it and further promote air circulation.

[wrigglerman]

When you want to go into indoor composting you'll need to be careful about the container you choose and be sure you carefully maintain your compost

Containers should be good enough to contain smells and keep ants off

Remember that you are doing it indoors so you have to keep it clean and odor-free

Or you can try indoor composting with worms and let the creepy crawlies munch their way through your craps

[Home Composter]

I've been looking for small compost containers as well and discovered that the Worm Factory and the Worm Factory 360 are 16" x 16" and less than two feet tall. If you add additional trays, then it gets a few inches taller, but still pretty small. I think I will be ordering one this week.