How to compost indoors

Want to help the planet? And maybe your plants too? Try composting! You don't need a big backyard. You can do it right inside your home. Let's talk about how to compost indoors. It's easier than you think!

Why Compost Inside? It's Pretty Cool!

Why bother composting indoors? Good question. Here are a few reasons:

• Small Space? No Problem! Live in an apartment? Indoor composting is perfect.
• Weather Doesn't Matter: Rain or shine, you can compost all year.
• Super Easy: Your kitchen scraps are right there. No trekking to a bin outside!
• No Stinky Smells (Really!): Done right, it doesn't smell bad.
• Happy Plants: You get amazing compost for your plants. They'll love you for it.

Okay, How Do I Do It? Different Ways to Compost Indoors

So, how do you actually do indoor composting? There are a few different methods. Let's take a look. Pick the one that seems easiest for you.

Worm Power! Vermicomposting

Worms! Yeah, worms can turn your trash into treasure. It's called vermicomposting. Basically, you give worms your food scraps, and they make compost.

1. Get Your Worm Home Ready:
   • Pick a Bin: A plastic bin works great. Make sure it has holes for air and drainage. Two bins (one inside the other) is even better. Worms like it dark, so a dark bin is best.
   • Make a Cozy Bed: Shredded newspaper, cardboard, or coconut fiber works great. Get it damp, like a wrung-out sponge.
   • Add the Worms: Red wiggler worms are the best. About a pound of worms is good for a small bin.
2. Feeding Time!
   • What to Feed Them: Veggie scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells are all great. Don't give them meat, dairy, or oily foods.
   • Bury the Food: This keeps fruit flies away.
   • How Much to Feed Them: Start small. See how much they eat, and add more later.
3. Keep the Worms Happy:
   • Keep it Moist: Not too wet, not too dry.
   • Keep it Cool: Worms like temps between 55°F and 77°F.
   • Harvest Time!: After a few months, you'll have compost!
     • Dump and Sort: Dump everything out and pick out the worms.
     • Move the Food: Put fresh food on one side. The worms will move over there.
     • Use the Light: Worms hate light. Scrape off the top layer of compost, wait for the worms to move down, and repeat.

The Good Stuff About Worms:

• Makes amazing compost.
• Doesn't smell (if you do it right).
• Gets rid of lots of food waste.

The Not-So-Good Stuff About Worms:

• You have to buy worms and a bin.
• It takes a little work.
• Fruit flies can be a problem.

Bokashi: Pickling Your Food Waste?

Bokashi composting is a little different. It's like pickling your food scraps! You use a special bran to ferment the waste. It even works with meat and dairy!

1. Get Your Bokashi Bin Ready:
   • Choose a Bin: Get a bin with a spigot at the bottom. It needs to be airtight.
   • Get Bokashi Bran: This is the magic ingredient. You can buy it online or at garden stores.
2. Let's Compost!
   • Add Food Scraps: Meat, dairy, fruits, veggies... anything goes!
   • Sprinkle the Bran: Cover each layer of food with Bokashi bran.
   • Press it Down: Get rid of any air pockets.
   • Seal it Up: Keep the air out!
3. Drain the Liquid:
   • Drain Regularly: Every few days, drain the liquid (leachate) from the spigot. You can use it as fertilizer (dilute it with water!).
4. Bury the Pre-Compost:
   • After a Few Weeks: The bin will be full of pre-composted stuff. It's acidic, so you need to bury it in a regular compost pile or in your garden for a few weeks to finish the job.

The Good Stuff About Bokashi:

• You can compost anything.
• It's small and easy.
• The liquid is great fertilizer.

The Not-So-Good Stuff About Bokashi:

• You have to buy Bokashi bran.
• You have to finish composting it in a pile or in the ground.
• It can smell a little like pickles (some people don't like it).

Electric Composters: Super Fast!

Want to compost really fast? Electric composters are the way to go. They use heat and air to break down food waste in hours!

1. How to Use It:
   • Add Food Scraps: Follow the instructions for your composter.
   • Turn it On: The composter does all the work.
   • Get Compost!: In a few hours, you'll have compost.

The Good Stuff About Electric Composters:

• Super fast!
• No smell!
• Easy to use!

The Not-So-Good Stuff About Electric Composters:

• They're expensive.
• They use electricity.
• The compost might not be as good as worm compost or Bokashi.

Old School: Traditional Composting (But Indoors!)

You can even do traditional composting indoors. It's a little harder, but it's possible. You need a container, good air flow, and the right mix of "green" and "brown" stuff.

1. Setting Up Your Container:
   • Choose a Container: A big container with a lid and air holes.
   • Layer Green and Brown: Green stuff is food scraps and coffee grounds. Brown stuff is paper and dried leaves.
2. Keeping it Going:
   • Keep it Moist: Like a wrung-out sponge.
   • Turn it Over: Mix it up regularly to give it air.

The Good Stuff About Traditional Composting (in a Container):

• It's simple.
• You use stuff you already have.

The Not-So-Good Stuff About Traditional Composting (in a Container):

• It's hard to get the mix right.
• It takes a long time.
• It can smell and attract pests.

Uh Oh! Problems? Let's Fix Them!

Sometimes things go wrong. Here's how to fix common problems:

• Smell:
  • Problem: It stinks!
  • Solution:
    • Turn it over to give it air.
    • Add more brown stuff.
    • Don't add meat, dairy, or oily foods.
• Fruit Flies:
  • Problem: Tiny flies everywhere!
  • Solution:
    • Bury the food scraps.
    • Cover the bin.
    • Use a fruit fly trap.
• Slow Compost:
  • Problem: It's not breaking down.
  • Solution:
    • Make sure it's moist enough.
    • Turn it over.
    • Add a compost starter.
• Mold:
  • Problem: Fuzzy stuff growing.
  • Solution:
    • A little mold is normal. Just mix it in.
    • Too much mold? Add more brown stuff and turn it more often.

Tips for Composting Like a Pro

Want to be a great indoor composter? Here are some tips:

• Start Small: Don't start with a huge bin.
• Chop it Up: Smaller food scraps break down faster.
• Keep it Moist: Not too wet, not too dry.
• Turn it Over: Give it air!
• Be Patient: It takes time.
• Keep Learning: Read about different composting techniques.

What to Do With Your Compost

You've got compost! Now what? Here are some ideas:

• Happy Houseplants: Add it to your potting soil.
• Awesome Container Gardens: Mix it into the soil in your pots.
• Great Outdoor Gardens: Dig it into your garden beds.
• Lush Lawn: Spread a thin layer on your lawn.

Composting Rocks!

Composting indoors is easy! You can do it. It's good for the planet, and it's good for your plants. So, give it a try! Turn your trash into something awesome!