Compost Tumbler/Bin vs Worm Bin: What to pick for your Lawn?

Composting helps in providing you homemade fertilizers for your garden and plants. It is also an excellent method to save the environment from organic waste.

There are primarily 3 ways to do composting at home:

• Compost Tumblers
• Compost Bins, and
• Worm Bins

In this article, we are going to compare compost tumbler and worm bin and highlight which is better for you.

Compost Tumblers vs. Worm Bins

Compost Tumblers

Compost tumblers are used for composting your organic waste. They come in different shapes and sizes and are perfect for people looking for batch composting (one time in a year or season). They are closed containers and come in different shapes and sizes. The basic design of a compost tumbler is that it enables you to rotate the compost pile easily with the help of a rotating mechanism.

The rotating mechanism can be center-operated, crank-operated, base-operated, or spherical composters, which spin on their base. The decomposing bacteria inside the tumbler generate the heat needed to carry out the composting process.

The holes for air provide air for the bacteria to carry out the decomposition process and also ensure that an optimum level of moisture is maintained inside the container.

Worm Bins

Worm bins use worms for the decomposition process. You need to store the worms inside the bin and maintain a suitable temperature for them to function properly. The ideal temperature range is 55-75°F. It is basically room temperature.

If you don’t live in an extremely hot or cold area, you don’t need to make any special arrangements to maintain this temperature. Worm bins have various compartments for adding compost and keeping worms. You can make worm bedding with paper shreds or leaves.

Worm bins come with inlets for oxygen to provide air to worms and help in the composting process. They have openings through which you can take out ready compost and use it.

Comparison of Features of Tumblers and Worm Bins

Composting Capacity

Compost tumblers have more capacity as compared to worm bins. Tumblers usually have a capacity of 3-10 cubic feet and are ideal for a medium to a large family with a medium to a large lawn. Worm bins are smaller in size and are ideal for people living in apartments with a few plants at their homes. They come in different shapes and sizes but are considerably small as compared to compost tumblers. 

Space Requirement

Compost tumblers need a lot more space as compared to worm bins. You cannot place them inside your apartment or home. You will have to adjust them to your garden or walkways. Worm bins, on the other hand, are small, compact, and can be adjusted inside your apartment or somewhere in the kitchen, provided you are comfortable with worms inside your house.

Working Temperature

Another feature to consider while working with worm bins is the temperature. Worm bins do not work well in the extreme winter or summer seasons. You will have to provide them with an optimum working temperature in this case. Compost tumblers, on the other hand, work very well in extreme temperatures because of their thick materials. They can maintain a constant internal temperature needed for microbial activity.

Composting Speed

Worm bins use worms and microbes at the time and provide you with compost more speedily as compared to tumblers. Tumblers only use microorganisms for the decomposing process and usually take 2-4 months for one batch of compost. Compost bins, on the contrary, produce compost in 2-4 weeks, depending on how well you have set the worm bin. We will mention some of the common mistakes to avoid while setting up a worm bin for effective and efficient results later in the article.

Time Input

Compost tumbler needs little time from you. You just have to add the compost batch, close the lid, and rotate it daily. Worm composting needs some proper care, attention, and time. You need to make bedding for worms, feed them, make sure that the bin is not too dry or wet, and the temperature is optimum for the proper and effective working of worms. Despite all this, the speed of composting in a worm bin is far superior to tumblers.

Ease of Use and Functionality

Tumblers are easy to use as you don’t have to worry about adding worms, making bedding, and providing optimal working temperatures for worm activity. Taking out ready compost is also easy in compost tumblers as you just have to empty the content in a bucket or hand-barrow. When you have to take out compost from a worm bin, you also need to handle worms at the same time as they like to come out. You also have to feed worms every four days, so if you are unable to do it or overfeed them, they will not work it properly. Managing compost tumblers is a straightforward task, whereas working with worms needs time and attention. 

Durability

Compost tumblers and worm bins are equally durable. It would not be wrong to say that there is no direct comparison of both in terms of durability. When you buy a high-quality tumbler or worm bin, it is durable and long-lasting.

Odor Control

Tumblers are pretty effective in controlling odor. They come with a lid to ensure that no odor leaves the container, and no pests enter inside it. The latest worm bin models are now coming with filters and scents to combat the stink produced by worms. You need to ensure that there is not too much moisture inside the bin so that the worms do not start giving foul odors. The worm bins with carbon filters for odor elimination are pretty effective.

Appearance

Tumblers and worm-bins come in different colors and shapes. You can get different models in each category according to your likes and dislikes.

Also read: Compost Tumblers vs Compost Bins: What to Choose?

Tumblers

Worm Bins

Read more: 10 Best Indoor Compost Bins – Keep Kitchen & Apartments clean

Mistakes to avoid while using Worm Bins

Overfeeding: Do not overfeed your worms. Worms can eat equal to their body weight every day, but temperature and moisture in the air can change their feeding habits. The best way is to feed them every 4 days.

Wrong Diet: People tend to give everything to the worms; this is a big mistake. The best diet for worms is non-acidic fruit and vegetable scraps. Grains, bread, coffee grounds can also do the trick. Make sure that all the items must be small and shredded so that they can break down faster, and it also helps in avoiding odor.

Wrong Composting Bedding: Make sure you do not mess up the worm bedding, use shredded paper or leaves for beading. It should not be too wet or dry. The best way is to squeeze a handful of bedding; if it feels like a wrung-out sponge, it is perfect.

We have already mentioned that you need to maintain a fair temperature and do not forget to harvest worm castings.