How to start and maintain a compost heap?

[teatime0714]

I too have a vermicomposting system going on. I live in an apartment so a compost bin/pile is just not an option. I have 2 bins going currently and can say from experience that the worms will continuously reproduce as long as they are provided the food and room to do so. Reproduction will slow down if food is scare or room is tight.

Redworms are pretty self sufficient and hard to kill, but you can maximize their reproduction and processing abilities by switching them into a shallower bin. I'm currently using a couple of 10 gallon rubbermaid containers I got from Lowe's. They're about 18" x 30" with a depth of 12". In a deeper bin the worms tend to stay in just one layer of the bedding and the material in the other layers can start to heat up and actually compost, killing the worms.

[Itsalwaysme]

Ok the two posts above me are just amazing. I had read about the composting indoors but had totally forgot about it until now.thanx for the reminder

[teatime0714]

Aw thanks! Totally do some research. Composting with worms is uber easy so long as you don't roast em with high temps or freeze them with really low temps. Plus if you've got the right food to worm ratio there's never any smell of rotting food.

[TiggerToo]

^^

[bugweena]

I started with 2 lbs of worms one year ago and now have two vermicompost bins in my garage. I just made them out of rubbermaid totes from a cllip on utube. BUT I have yet to try to separate out worms from compost. I am getting a Worm Factory 360 for my birthday so will set it up and try to use the totes as backups if I have too much veggie/fruit sraps for the worm factory.

The process has slowed this winter but I expect these warm temperatures this week will get them eating again! Anyone interested should read "Worms Eat My Garbage" by Mary Appelhof. I think it may be out of print but I was able to request it through my local library. It was quite helpful.

Good luck if you're going to try it!

[mefiance]

I started with 2 lbs of worms one year ago and now have two vermicompost bins in my garage. I just made them out of rubbermaid totes from a cllip on utube.

This sounds like a great setup. I'm thinking of using an old trash can for my compost pit--I've seen some great how-to videos on this. Anyone know if I can add worms to this (and have them survive)? Just not sure about adding them to the plastic bin.