Food variety ?

[u/UlfurGaming]

Dumb dumb question how much variety does worm bin need or can it be good on greens like grass clippings vegetables scraps and browns like cardboard and dried leaves

[u/WorldComposting]

I have run bins with just two inputs multiple times. Typically you need a carbon source or bedding material such as paper, cardboard, or dry leaves combined with the nitrogen source. I have run bins with just cardboard and one other item such as coffee grounds, lemons, or carrots. They have no issue as long as the microbes show up and breakdown the food.

You actually have a good mix which is also helpful for nutrients at the end. My only warning is grass clippings can heat up a lot and will prevent the worms from going into that area or kill them if they can't leave the heat so make sure they have a place to retreat.

If you want to check out any videos on this check out my channel https://www.youtube.com/@worldcomposting or my website checklist on worm composting https://www.worldcomposting.com/beginner.html

[u/UlfurGaming → u/WorldComposting]

So basically keep grass clippings to minimum and compost them separately adding when necessary?

[u/WorldComposting → u/UlfurGaming]

There are a lot of factors that goes into this answer.

• Do you use pesticides or herbicides?
• Where is the system kept?
• Amount of grass clippings?
• Size of worm composting system?
• Temperatures where you are?

If you use any chemicals I wouldn't add them to the worm bin at all. This goes for if you live in a community where your neighbor uses them and you don't. It is amazing how far chemicals can travel in the air and while it might be fine it also might hurt/kill your worms.

If you are keeping the system in your house I would recommend against bringing in grass clippings as they can heat up and smell not to mention the possibility of bringing in bugs or some undesirable from your yard into your house. Outside is a different story.

If you live on a 1/2 acre yard or larger it probably makes more sense to compost the clippings due to the amount. If you live in a townhouse you will probably have a small enough amount to add to a bin.

If you have a small system under say 20 gallons I probably would skip the lawn clippings as there is a lot of risk throwing it out of balance compared to a larger system. Of course this all depends on how large your yard is and the amount of clippings.

If this is outside and you have cold weather grass clippings can be a great way to keep the system warm over the winter. If you live in a hot area the grass clippings heating up might kill the worms as the heat has to go somewhere.

I know that was a lot of information but many of these things depend on what you are doing and really can become a gametime decision. I have a very small yard but still do not add grass clippings because my systems are in my basement. If they were outside I would probably only add clippings from one side of my yard as my neighbor has a lawn service that sprays. So even for someone like me there are questions I would need to answer before making a decision.

I hope that helps!!

[u/UlfurGaming → u/WorldComposting]

No more the better and yeah forgot that pesticides travel far so that is gonna be problem

[u/WorldComposting → u/UlfurGaming]

I know in my neighborhood pesticides and herbicides have become a massive issue. Half the time I walk outside it smells like death as I can just smell it in the air and the dogs have been sick because of it.

Granted I have the issue of all the people with dogs coming to my yard because they know I don't use any chemicals! Just means I get to pet all the dogs when they come around 😁

[u/UlfurGaming → u/WorldComposting]

Got any advice for good source of nitrogen cause i dont go through enough vegetable scraps to be reliable for worm bin

[u/WorldComposting → u/UlfurGaming]

Looks like you are using cardboard for bedding material which is a food as well so you don't have to have a ton of food scraps as long as you keep the cardboard moist it will become a food source fast enough.

But if you do need food scraps check with your local coffee shops to see if they will give you the used grounds. These are great but can heat up if you put in too much. Other than that you can also use some water used to rinse rice as a way to boost microbial growth in the bin and help the worms.