Worm Composters Vs Compost Tumblers?
Which is the most efficient composting way?
I’ve been researching this question myself and ended up choosing worm composting. A compost tumbler if filled completely with a good mix of ingredients and regular tumbling can be one of the quicker methods of generating compost. There were several reasons that I didn’t choose this method: 1) I would need two tumblers, because once it is full, you can’t add anything until it is done composting. I don’t have room for two. 2) It requires more effort as spinning it needs to be done at least every few days. 3) A tumbler doesn’t really go well on my small porch and for sure not in the house. Oddly enough, worm bins can do so easily.
I ended up choosing the Worm Factory 360 even though I know you can make your own bins if you are so inclined. So far the worms (Red Wigglers) are quiet and have no odor and require almost no attention. In about 3 – 4 months I should have some nice compost in my bottom tray and then I should have a tray ready about once a month or so after that. I can add food and paper waste to it any time and it can go for up to a month without any attention, so vacations won’t be a problem.
Either one is a great choice, but one way will probably fit your needs better. Good luck!
Combine both together
References :
The worm one will produce compost the fastest, but you have to feed the worms. The tumbler will take longer without the hassle. You should haveone of each.
References :
Efficient for speed or amount of material composted?
Worms are by far the more efficient composters – they thrive on a vegan diet, but you can give them other stuff, like paper, napkins etc. The amount of food you give them compared to the amount of stuff you get back, well it is amazing. These worms digest so much and so very little is left over (vermicompost). If you’re just composting your own little amount of kitchen scraps, it will take maybe a year to get a usable amount of compost.
Tumblers are pickier. You have to have the majority of the kitchen scraps and garden scraps ready at one time and put it in the tumbler. You make compost one tumbler full at a time. The ads say you can expect comnpost within days or weeks- I have never seen proof of that. Don’t get me wrong, tumblers are effective. Just don’t buy the lies and be prepared for some experimentation to get the right mix. Worms can be continually fed and you don’t have to have all your ingredients ready at one go.
So, I lean towards worms if the other choice is a tumbler. Plus, worms are so much cheaper!
References :
CA Master Composter volunteer, trained through the Extension Service
I’ve been researching this question myself and ended up choosing worm composting. A compost tumbler if filled completely with a good mix of ingredients and regular tumbling can be one of the quicker methods of generating compost. There were several reasons that I didn’t choose this method: 1) I would need two tumblers, because once it is full, you can’t add anything until it is done composting. I don’t have room for two. 2) It requires more effort as spinning it needs to be done at least every few days. 3) A tumbler doesn’t really go well on my small porch and for sure not in the house. Oddly enough, worm bins can do so easily.
I ended up choosing the Worm Factory 360 even though I know you can make your own bins if you are so inclined. So far the worms (Red Wigglers) are quiet and have no odor and require almost no attention. In about 3 – 4 months I should have some nice compost in my bottom tray and then I should have a tray ready about once a month or so after that. I can add food and paper waste to it any time and it can go for up to a month without any attention, so vacations won’t be a problem.
Either one is a great choice, but one way will probably fit your needs better. Good luck!
References :
http://www.myhomecomposter.com/category/compost-containers/worm-bins/