Anyone can compost with worms: the young, the old, and even those living in cramped city quarters. In order to succeed, keep worms happy, and keep rotting odors at bay it's wise to do some research beforehand.
Materials Needed to Start Indoor Worm Composting
Necessary items to get started composting include:
- a bin/container
- red wiggler worms
- bedding
- non meat and dairy kitchen waste.
Worm Composting Bin Options
Depending on space, budget, and individual preference there are some options when it comes to selecting a worm bin.
- A single wood or plastic container should be about eight to twelve inches deep according to Mary Appelhof, author of Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Set Up and Maintain a Worm Composting System (2003)It can be an old storage bin that has been lying around the house or one constructed out of wood but should provide darkness and aeration holes for the worms, who although buried in soil, still need oxygen.
- A multi-tiered worm bin is more expensive than a homemade container but is an ideal choice for those who prefer less interaction with worms and is recommended by Amber Gribben, Chicago's Urban Worm Girl. In this bin, the creatures move up from tray to tray as more scraps are added leaving rich "castings" behind. Fluid or "liquid fertilizer" from the compost conveniently drains to a tray with a spigot at the bottom and can be used to feed houseplants. Tiered worm factories can cost anywhere from between 60.00 to 150.00 USD without worms.
The Right Kind of Worms for Indoor Composting
Red wiggler worms should be used for indoor composting. This type of worm would not survive outside, just as garden variety earthworms found in the earth would die if used in a composting container. Appelhofrecommends using two pounds of worms for every pound of food waste. From there they will multiply on their own.
Bedding Materials for Indoor Worm Composting
Worms must have damp bedding material that's spaced evenly throughout the bin as a base and to prevent odor. The following can be used:
- newspaper
- cardboard
- crunched up dead leaves
- sand
- soil
- seaweed
Acceptable Kitchen Scraps for an Indoor Worm Bin
To avoid odor and pests, Gribben recommends not putting meat or dairy products into the bin. Vegetable scraps, fruit peels, tea bags, coffee grounds, crushed egg shells, paper, cardboard, and even egg cartons are acceptable. Everything should be dampened or broken down so that the worms can process it more easily.
With the right materials and research, indoor worm composting can be done just about anywhere.
Katherine Kocisky - Katherine graduated with a degree in English Education and French in 2004 from Illinois State University. Since then, she has taught high ...
