Composting (indoors!) is something I've been wanting to do for nearly two years, but I let fear stop me. I finally decided to get my act together and am using Earth Day as a great excuse to try something new. I've been composting food waste for about two weeks now, and it's going really great!
Best lesson learned: Composting isn't as scary as it sounds. If I can do it, I'm pretty sure anyone can! It actually smells really good--a lot like an indoor rainforest at a zoo.
Best lesson learned: Composting isn't as scary as it sounds. If I can do it, I'm pretty sure anyone can! It actually smells really good--a lot like an indoor rainforest at a zoo.
Here's what you'll need to get started:
Plastic bin or container
Drill*
Shredded newspaper
water
food scraps
red wriggler worms
Plastic bin or container
Drill*
Shredded newspaper
water
food scraps
red wriggler worms
*Don't have one? Don't worry. You can borrow from a friend or check one out from a tool library. If those aren't viable options where you live, take your bin to a hardware store and ask if a few holes can be drilled for you.
#1: Secure a location
The first thing you'll need to do when you decide to compost is find a secure location to keep you compost bin. Earth worms need a stable environment that isn't too hot, too cold, too dry, or too moist. We put our plastic bin against a wall in our kitchen, but plan to move it to a shelving unit once we feel we've got the process down tight.
The first thing you'll need to do when you decide to compost is find a secure location to keep you compost bin. Earth worms need a stable environment that isn't too hot, too cold, too dry, or too moist. We put our plastic bin against a wall in our kitchen, but plan to move it to a shelving unit once we feel we've got the process down tight.
 We repurposed a plastic container that wasn't being used for anything else. If you don't already have something you can use, I would suggest shopping at thrift stores for options. |  The trick to successful compost is drilling holes. We put close to 50 holes in our bin for air circulation. Air holes are so important for two reasons: worms need oxygen to survive and air circulation ensures there wont be stench associated with your compost. |
#2: Build a habitat
Worms need a home just like you or I do. They need oxygen to breathe and food to eat. The best way to create a habitat for them is to shred old newspapers--I mean, a lot of old newspapers. Before you even purchase your worms, shred enough newspapers into one-inch strips to fill about half of the container you use for composting. This newspaper will act as bedding and insulation to keep your worms feeling their best.
Worms need a home just like you or I do. They need oxygen to breathe and food to eat. The best way to create a habitat for them is to shred old newspapers--I mean, a lot of old newspapers. Before you even purchase your worms, shred enough newspapers into one-inch strips to fill about half of the container you use for composting. This newspaper will act as bedding and insulation to keep your worms feeling their best.
 | In addition to shredding newspaper, you'll want to begin collecting food waste. Used coffee filters/grounds, tea leaves, strawberry tops, broccoli stems, and apple cores work great. We keep our collection under the sink in our kitchen. Again, don't be afraid: as long as oxygen is able to reach the food scraps, there will be no smell. |
Once you get your worms, you'll need to dampen one-third of the newspaper you just shredded, then pull it apart and let it rest in the bottom of your bin. Add your worms on top of the damp newspaper--but only on one side of your bin. Carefully add your food scraps and place the dry, shredded paper over the top.
Create an environment for your worms by shredding newspaper into one-inch strips. You can go even more eco-friendly by also shredding used paper bags--just make sure they aren't saturated with grease. When it comes time to moisten this mix, you'll only want to get the newspaper damp. Paper bags hold onto too much moisture and could create problems later on down the road.
#3: Add worms
You can't just add any old worms to your compost bin. You'll need red wiggler worms, which can withstand being in tight spaces and don't burrow. We purchased our worms from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm. It's sometimes hard to tell exactly how many worms you need to start--it really depends upon how much food waste you create each week. We started our bin with 250 worms and quickly added 1,000 more. The best part? Because you are creating an eco system, you can never have too many or too few worms. The population will eventually even itself out.
Fun fact: Composting with worms has a name. It's actually called vermicomposting. (With this piece of trivia, you'll really be the life of the party!)
You can't just add any old worms to your compost bin. You'll need red wiggler worms, which can withstand being in tight spaces and don't burrow. We purchased our worms from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm. It's sometimes hard to tell exactly how many worms you need to start--it really depends upon how much food waste you create each week. We started our bin with 250 worms and quickly added 1,000 more. The best part? Because you are creating an eco system, you can never have too many or too few worms. The population will eventually even itself out.
Fun fact: Composting with worms has a name. It's actually called vermicomposting. (With this piece of trivia, you'll really be the life of the party!)
#4: Let the composting begin
It may take a few days for your worms to get settled in, but after a week or so, you should notice more deep, rich compost soil in your bin. Remember, worms need oxygen to survive, so it's a good idea to aerate, or mix things up, every week or so. I check on my worms daily because I'm crazy-curious about this whole process, but there's certainly no need for that much monitoring.
It may take a few days for your worms to get settled in, but after a week or so, you should notice more deep, rich compost soil in your bin. Remember, worms need oxygen to survive, so it's a good idea to aerate, or mix things up, every week or so. I check on my worms daily because I'm crazy-curious about this whole process, but there's certainly no need for that much monitoring.
 You can handle your compost with your hands, but I use a compost spoon--that is, a spoon that only touches compost and nothing else. I got this one at a local thrift store. If you want to be a little more hands on, garden gloves are also recommended. |  After only a few weeks, my worms have produced some really great compost. Look at that deep, rich soil! |
#5: Know what to compost
The basic rule of thumb is that any organic ingredient can be composted. That said, composting is totally a trial-and-error process (it's like science that way). Lists and other blog posts with helpful tips are all over the internet, but don't assume that one compost bin is exactly like any other. I've already learned that my worms aren't too into paper bags, flower stems, or onion peels, but they love broccoli, melon, and flower pedals.
The basic rule of thumb is that any organic ingredient can be composted. That said, composting is totally a trial-and-error process (it's like science that way). Lists and other blog posts with helpful tips are all over the internet, but don't assume that one compost bin is exactly like any other. I've already learned that my worms aren't too into paper bags, flower stems, or onion peels, but they love broccoli, melon, and flower pedals.
One of my favorite things about composting is experimenting with food waste to see what worms enjoy. Most recent additions to our bin include some leftover, uneaten beans and rice, and red bell pepper, which you can see--along with a used coffee filter, in this photo.
#6: Worms are your friend
Worms creep some people out, but they're nothing to be afraid of. Like humans, they are made up almost entirely of water and, like babies, they poo. A lot. If you take good care of them, they will take great care of you and provide you with some of the most nutrient-rich gardening soil known to man.
Worms creep some people out, but they're nothing to be afraid of. Like humans, they are made up almost entirely of water and, like babies, they poo. A lot. If you take good care of them, they will take great care of you and provide you with some of the most nutrient-rich gardening soil known to man.
You can touch your worms, but make sure your hands are wet. Earthworms are 90% water and breathe through their skin. Wetting your hand first makes the interaction more comfortable for both of you.
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