Turn trash in to treasure!

Hot Composting

Different composting ingredients have different C:N ratios C:N ratio does not have to be exact, but is good to keep in mind when building a compost pile.

Carbon/Nitrogen ratio is typically optimal at 30:1

Here is a link for C:N ratios for popular composting ingredients.

High Carbon materials are usually brown and include:

  • paper
  • wood
  • leaves
  • pine needles
  • straw
  • sawdust
  • etc.

High Nitrogen materials are usually green and include:

  • fruit and vegetable scraps
  • garden waste
  • coffee grounds
  • grass trimmings
  • etc.

A typical hot compost pile has to be at least 3 ft wide x 3 ft high x 3 ft long in order to be able to generate enough heat to be efficient.

Leaves can be composted by themselves to make “leaf mould”.

The “lasagna method” is typically preferred:

  •  Carbon and Nitrogen materials are layered alternately in a pile or container that measures 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft.

Pile should be turned as much as possible, but once a month is fine.

The compost is done when the original ingredients can not be recognized.

Examples of hot composting bins can be found HERE.

Vermi-composting

Definition: Using a high concentration of worms in order to process compostable material.

A great vermi-composting course, that I highly recommend is available here.

Here is a vid on how to initially set up your worm bin.

What can I do with composting worms?

  • Worms can be added to conventional hot compost piles to raise efficiency.
  • Worms can be added to the garden to aerate and enrich the soil perpetually.
  • Worms can be fed to animals viz. chickens, fish, birds, reptiles, etc.
  • Worms can be used for fishing.

Where can I get composting worms?

  • Compost worms can be dug out of compost piles.

*Be careful not to collect any nightcrawlers. Nightcrawlers are not suitable for a bin environment and you will probably find more on your floor trying to escape then you will in your bin.

*Also you are not going to be guaranteed a certain species and it is a bit of trouble trying to find enough worms to fill a bin, so your best option might be…

  • Buy your worms from the internet, including HERE!

What kind of bin can I use for my worms?

  • Worm bins can be made from an endless variety of containers of different shapes and sizes and from homemade ones to prefabricated ones.
  • The best bin for you will be determined based on individual factors like the amount of space you have available, amount of time you are able/willing to spend, what materials are available, etc.

Click HERE for descriptions of various bin types.

What can I feed my worms?

* Worms can be fed almost anything organic.

  • YES: organic kitchen scraps, small amount of citrus, yard and garden waste, compost, coconut coir, peat moss, non-glossy paper, cardboard, etc.
  • NO: excessive citrus, pineapple, meat, dairy products, glossy paper, etc.

My short vermicomposting guide can be found HERE.