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Composting has become increasingly popular due to its incredible benefits for both our gardens and the environment. Families that compost can reduce their household waste by up to 50%—that’s way less trash sitting around in a landfill! Less trash means fewer greenhouse gases, and that makes for a happier planet.
The thing is, not everyone has a big yard where they can place a compost bin, and not everyone who has a yard wants to put a big bin in it! So, what to do?
Yes! There is a totally manageable way to compost indoors, without taking up too much space in the house and without stinking up the place. You might think a big bin full of decomposing matter gets a little smelly—and some compost bins are—but there are two ways to do it indoors that minimize odor significantly. A mild, earthy scent around the bin is normal, but you shouldn’t expect to encounter any foul smells unless something has gone amiss.
There are two main methods of composting indoors: aerobic and vermicomposting. Vermicomposting results in a slightly more high-quality product and low odor, but there’s a small catch: the bin is full of tiny worms. Don’t worry—they’re completely harmless and will stay put in the bin. But, if dealing with bugs is a total dealbreaker for you, then you might want to start aerobic composting indoors instead.
You can purchase a vermicomposting bin that you can easily set up at home. However, there are also plenty of DIY tutorials on how to start composting indoors with a homemade bin. An opaque, lidded plastic bin is a perfect and inexpensive base. The mechanism of the bin is simple: worms are added into a pile of compostable material. They gobble it up, and their waste combined with the decomposing matter becomes potent garden compost.
The worms work fast, breaking down food scraps at impressive speeds. The bin needs to have air holes because oxygen is needed for proper decomposition. Don’t let the fear of stink stop you from drilling holes in your bin—if there isn’t enough air, it will start to smell foul. Good air circulation and mixing the pile up once a week will keep it smelling earthy. Plus, the worms keep the temperature cooler in the bin, helping to keep out the funk.
When purchasing worms for your compost bin, purchase red wigglers or red worms. They’re effective, relatively inexpensive, and safe to use. There have been cases of invasive Japanese worms being sold under different names, such as Alabama Jumpers, and introducing those worms into your garden soil is a bad idea. Err on the side of caution and stick with the red wigglers and red worms!
An aerobic bin is pretty simple in theory: It’s a lidded bin with holes; you just toss the scraps in and turn the bin regularly to speed up decomposition. DIY methods work well, but many people prefer store-bought bins with turn cranks that easily spin the material. That way, you don’t have to dig around with a trowel. Remember, air holes and frequent mixing are necessary to prevent bad smells!
If your bin has plenty of holes and is getting turned regularly but still has a bit of a funk, it might have too much moisture in it or the wrong balance of “green waste” and “brown waste.” (We’ll explain those in the next section.) Mix in a bunch of dry matter, like shredded paper or dry leaves, and it’ll help absorb the liquid, reducing smells.
When you start composting indoors, you might be unsure how to determine what goes in the bin and what stays out. To make it easy as pie, print out this chart below and stick it on your fridge. Reference it whenever you’re considering tossing in something new.
One thing to keep in mind when you start composting, whether indoors or outdoors, is that your bin needs about equal amounts of “green waste” and “brown waste.” Green waste includes food scraps and cut grass, while brown waste includes dried leaves, straw, cardboard, and paper. Maintaining an even ratio of the two will help maintain ideal moisture levels.
Are you ready to start composting indoors in Arkansas? We’d be happy to help get you started! Westwood Gardens has plenty of supplies, and our in-store experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Reducing your carbon footprint and making your garden more beautiful is easier than you’d think!
