Composting & Vermicomposting Made Simple
Healthy soil starts with compost, and composting doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how to keep it practical, effective, and even a little fun.
Why Composting Seems Complicated (But Isn’t)
Some guides make composting sound like a chemistry exam: carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, precise moisture levels and daily turning schedules. In reality, composting is nature’s oldest recycling system. Microbes, fungi, and worms have been breaking down organic matter long before we had bins and books about it. As gardeners, our job is simply to create the right conditions and then let nature handle the rest.
What is NPK?
NPK stands for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)—the three primary nutrients plants need:
- Nitrogen: Encourages leafy growth.
- Phosphorus: Supports strong roots, flowers, and fruiting.
- Potassium: Boosts overall plant health and resilience.
Commercial fertilizers display their NPK numbers (e.g., 10-10-10). Compost is more balanced, with a gentler nutrient release, making it safer and healthier for long-term soil building.
NPK of Homemade Compost vs. Vermicompost
| Material | Typical NPK | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade Compost | ~1-1-1 | Balanced, improves soil texture and water retention. |
| Manure-Enriched Compost | ~2-1.5-2 | Higher nutrient content, varies with type of manure used. |
| Vermicompost | ~2-1-1 | Rich in nitrogen, beneficial microbes and growth hormones. |
Composting Methods
1. Direct Composting (Bucket Method)
Burying a perforated bucket in your garden bed is a low-effort way to compost kitchen scraps. Worms and microbes do the work right in place, enriching the soil where you need it the most. When my bucket lid started to crack - I used leftover plywood, cut a circle of wood to fit the bucket, screwed a left-over handle to it. I also buried the bucket at arms-reach, so I don't have to do too much stretching.
1. Direct Composting (Trench Method)
I just dig up a trench in the vegetable bed and fill it up, usually kitchen scraps. When the trench is full I just cover it up with the surrounding soil and dig up another trench.
2. Bin Composting
Traditional bins handle larger volumes of yard waste. Turning helps speed things up, but even if you rarely turn it, the pile will eventually break down. To balance Soil & Amendments, remember the greens (nitrogen-rich food scraps) and browns (carbon-rich leaves, shredded paper).
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting uses worms—typically red wigglers—to convert food waste into worm castings, one of the richest soil amendments available. It’s a great indoor option for winter months in Canada.
Setting Up a Worm Bin
- Container: A plastic tote or wooden box with ventilation holes.
- Bedding: Shredded newspaper, cardboard, or coconut coir, moistened.
- Worms: Red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) are ideal.
- Food: Vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells. Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods.
- Care: Keep moist but not soggy, and store in a cool, dark space (ideally 15–25°C).
Tips for Canadian Gardeners
- Winter: Use a worm bin indoors or insulate outdoor bins with straw bales.
- Leaves: Bag fallen leaves in autumn to save as carbon material for next summer.
- Accessibility: For seniors, consider smaller bins or direct composting to avoid heavy turning.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Bad Smell: Too many greens. Add browns and mix lightly.
- Dry Pile: Add water or more greens to restore moisture.
- Pests: Bury food scraps under soil or leaves; avoid meat and fats.
Recap: Composting Without the Overwhelm
Composting doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to happen. Whether you’re tossing scraps in a bucket, layering a bin, or feeding a worm colony, you’re recycling nutrients and enriching your soil. The payoff is healthier plants, fewer garden expenses and even prize-winning fruit, vegetables and flowers grown on last year’s compost pile.
Learn More
FAQ
- Do I need to turn compost?
- No, turning speeds it up, but even without turning, compost will eventually break down.
- Can I compost in winter?
- Yes. Outdoor piles slow down, but you can use indoor worm bins or stockpile browns until spring.
- Is vermicompost better than compost?
- They complement each other. Vermicompost is richer in microbes and nitrogen, while compost is excellent for bulk organic matter.
Kitchen Vermicomposting Setup (Beginner-Friendly)
Yes, you can keep worms in the kitchen! A small indoor worm bin makes recycling your food scraps easy and produces nutrient-rich castings for your garden.
- Bin: Use a small, ventilated container with a lid (stackable trays work great).
- Bedding: Shredded newspaper, cardboard, or coconut coir—keep it slightly damp, not soggy.
- Feeding: Chop scraps into small pieces and bury under bedding. Avoid citrus, onions, and meat.
- Maintenance: Monitor moisture, fluff bedding occasionally, and rotate trays if using a tiered system.
- Placement: Room temperature 15–25 °C (60–77 °F) is ideal; avoid direct heat or drafty spots.
Tip: Start small. Worms reproduce quickly, and your first harvest of castings can be ready in just a few months!