Live in an apartment but want to compost? Try worm composting

Worm composting, or vermicomposting, is a method to compost your unused organic material using worms. The concept is simple - worms eat the organic material and excrete nutrient rich "castings."

Disclaimer: I am a hobbyist vermicomposter doing this for fun am simply sharing what I found has worked for me.

Step 1: Get a worm bin. 

- Two five gallon buckets with one lid is a simple way to start and fits under the kitchen sink.

Step 2: Set up the worm bin. 

- The bin will need drainage and airflow as moisture tends to build up. Drill a few holes into the bottom of the top bin and into the lid.

- Get a piece of burlap (or anything similar), put it over the top bin, and close the lid on it. This allows air to flow through the holes but keeps the worms from getting out.

Step 3: Set up the bedding (the "bed" for the worms).

- Cut up strips of paper and fill the bucket about 4 inches high with it. The bedding should be loose as the worms need room to breathe.

Step 4: Get the worms.

- I was unable to find a local source for worms so I bought them online from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm. 1000 red composting worms should do to start. This won't be enough for 1 person's unused organic material, but the worms will breed by themselves.

Step 5: Put the worms in the bin.

- Spray some water onto the bedding first and then put the worms onto the bedding.

Step 6: Put organic material into the bin.

- I keep my organic material in my freezer and feed them once a week because I read that worms respond better to intermittent feeding.

- Worms tend to not like food with high acidity. Experiment around with this and have a good mixture of organic materials available for them.

- I avoid feeding them fats and meats.

Below are some common objections I have heard:

1) It smells! If done right, it just smells like soil. 

2) Worms are icky! I thought they were too when I first started but you get used to them quickly. I have become quite attached to mine.

3) Won't flies be a problem? I don't have a problem with flies, although I think putting my organic materials in the freezer helps. The bin is sealed anyways. 

Vermicomposting is fun, gives you free fertilizer, and reduces waste. The fun aspect of this is often overlooked - the organic material just disappears and turns into "soil" as if by magic in a week! It is essentially like having a pet fish, but the food to feed it is free and it produces something needed. It is simple and easy to get started!