Composting

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In-ground (worm) composting? (self.composting)

submitted 2 years ago by Foon to c/composting@slrpnk.net

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I have a happy worm bin that takes care of most of my composting needs. I use the castings around my garden, mostly when I'm planting something new, but I also feed my established plants with it when I can.

But! I've also been thinking it'd be great to deliver castings right into the ground, and would love to use semi-buried containers in the beds to compost right there. There are plenty of native composting worms in my location.

I have a bunch of small (1-1.5 liter ish?) buckets with lids that I'd love to repurpose for this. I was thinking I'd make a bunch of holes in the body and lid of the buckets, and bury them up to the rim. Then fill with some bedding and some scraps, and inoculate with come castings and some worms. And just feed whenever there's space, hoping the castings spread a bit into the ground, or otherwise dig it up when it's full of castings and bury it in a new spot.

My main concern is that the buckets would be too small. The reason I'm aiming for this size is honestly because I want to use these containers for something useful instead of tossing them out. I'd love any suggestions and to hear about your experiences with in-ground composting!

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[–] drk@slrpnk.net 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Sort of related: I think it was Charles Dowding (a no-dig pioneer, lots of nice videos on YouTube) who is in favour of spreading almost-but-not-completely ready compost on his beds so the worms can finish it off and spread the castings in the process. That would mean you'd need a 'normal' compost bin/heap to add your scraps to, and there is little actual tangible involvement with the worms, so it may be less fun than what you are after here.

[–] Foon 1 points 2 years ago

Thanks, that's interesting! I'm happy with any tips that improve my garden. Unfortunately I don't have the space to add a regular compost heap/bin to my garden. But I'll find me some compost and try this in the fall, I think.

[–] adrinux@slrpnk.net 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I can suggest an alternate use for the buckets with a lid. We do 'roman composting' with a couple. Put all the thing's you don't want in a compost heap - dandelion roots, grass roots, weeds with seeds on etc in the bucket then fill with rain water and leave it well alone, because it will really stink if you poke at it 😄

You can pour liquid off to use as a feed, the solids should be well rotten after a few months and stop smelling so bad. I usually chuck them in my normal compost heap. But I guess you could try them as a dressing.

[–] Foon 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Thanks for the suggestion! I've heard of this before but never tried it. Some questions: would I close the lid airtight? How long do you have to leave it? And then just pour the smelly water into my garden because it contains nutrients?

[–] adrinux@slrpnk.net 1 points 2 years ago

How long? Months if you want it not to smell much at the end.

The liquid that comes off should be diluted, 20 to 1, and used as a plant feed, yes.

The solids left behind might be harder for you to deal with, I put them in our compost bin with everything else. You could try mulching around your plants perhaps.

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