I tend to research every purchase and/or project to death before taking the plunge, and my search for a composting system was no different. I looked into varying set-ups for hot composting, tried my hand at trench composting (burying food waste), researched bokashi and joined multiple Facebook groups to learn other people's experiences with vermicomposting (using worms to create compost). After reading lots of articles, watching videos and asking questions, I determined that the Subpod vermicomposting system was a good fit for me.
Why I chose a Subpod
I was looking for a system that could hold up to critters (we have a number of rodents and traditional compost rascals, such as raccoons). I also wanted something that was easy to manage, i.e. didn't take much time and was difficult to screw up. The Subpod seemed to fit the bill.
How does it work?
You can read How Subpod Works directly from the company on their website, but I'll share with you my layman's take on it as well. The Subpod is different from many other vermicomposting systems in that it is buried in the ground (native soil or a raised bed). There are holes that allow the worms to move in and out of the bin and into the surrounding soil. As the food breaks down, the worms go to town, munching away. Their waste is known as castings and is a very fertile form of compost that is great for the garden.
Day 1 of my Subpod adventure.
My experience
I purchased the Subpod Grow Bundle, which includes the original Subpod, aerator and raised bed. Given the large amount of rain we get here in the Pacific Northwest, it is strongly advised to place the Subpod in a raised bed, rather than in the ground, so the bin doesn't flood. Normally I would have built my own raised bed, but I had too many projects going on at the time and Subpod was having a decent sale on the Bundle.
Putting the Subpod together was super easy and quick. It's just a handful of panels that snap together. One of my lid hinges was damaged upon arrival, so I contacted Subpod and they sent me a replacement right away. The raised bed took more effort to assemble. I did complete the project in situ and in a light rain, so that certainly made things more difficult. The very tiny bolts kept slipping out of my fingers, and it was difficult to get the panels to line up on an uneven surface so I could attach them to each other. The longer of the two raised bed side panels are built using two pieces. I assume this is so the product is less expensive to ship, as full-length pieces would have been quite long. However, it was a bit of a pain to get all the pieces to attach to each other. I knew after I got started that I should move away from this tiny corner of my garden to a flat surface with room to work, but you know how it is. Once you've moved all your stuff to a location, you're committed to completing the project there, even if the location doesn't make sense. Yes, this is what stubborn looks like! If I was to do this all over, I would put the raised bed panels together on a flat surface and then carry the finished product to its final site, though I imagine it would require two people to keep it from breaking.
Once the raised bed was put together, I set it where I wanted it and modified the site a bit to make sure it was level. When I was satisfied with the location, I placed the Subpod into the bed, leaving about an inch from the front panel. This allows for proper airflow of the Subpod but still enables me to use the Subpod as a bench. Then I filled with soil meant for raised beds (I used Kellogg Garden Organics Raised Bed and Potting Mix because it's readily available in my area) and tamped down with my hands to help the soil settle. I believe I used 7 bags (2 cubic feet each), which was perfect. Make sure soil covers all the holes to keep random insects out.
Now it's time to add worms! I reached out to one of my local garden groups on Facebook and two people agreed to share worms from their worm bins. As recommended, I placed the worms into the bin with no food, only shredded cardboard and coconut coir. Worms often like to explore their new surroundings and will disappear
when first placed into the bin.
It's feeding time!
After a week or two, I started placing small amounts of food scraps in the bin along with shredded paper or cardboard, rotating which side I was feeding, and stirring to aerate each time. The total number of worms I placed into my bin was only about 50, far from the recommended 1,000 minimum. This simply meant that I had to be patient. I was cautious to only introduce minimal amounts of food scraps to the bin at each feeding and to make sure the food on one side was well broken down before adding new food to the other side. Even starting with such small numbers, my population grew quickly. I have read that, on average, the population of composting worms will double every three to six months. Perhaps because of our milder climate, I would guess that my crew is doubling at least every three months. And now, I'm excited that I'm able to share my worms with others in my garden community, coming full circle!
I collect food scraps for my worms in a bin that says it holds 21 cups. I keep the bin in the freezer and dump the scraps into the Subpod when full, approximately once a week. Freezing the scraps is said to help the food break down more quickly once thawed, and it prevents smells and insects in my house. Ideally you want to break the food into smaller pieces, and while I know some people place their scraps in a food processor, that's way too much effort, in my opinion. I have found that some items, like banana peels and avocado shells are easy to crush or break apart once frozen. However, I admit that I put full banana peels in the bin on a regular basis and while they might take longer to decompose, they don't cause any harm. I do let the frozen food thaw a bit before placing into the Subpod, because a large frozen lump wouldn't be easy to stir into the mix. I have found that the worms seem to really like soft foods, like avocado, tomatoes and melon. I actually get pretty excited when I have food scraps that I know they'll enjoy. I find huge numbers hanging out within avocado shells. A person in one of my Facebook groups said they thought the worms were using the avocado shells as a nursery! I have definitely seen some reproductive action going on (worms are intertwined with each other) and have found cocoons, small balls that hold future baby worms. I never thought a worm bin would be so much fun, but it's quite entertaining! Here's a quick video so you can see the Subpod in action.
I follow the Subpod guidelines on what to feed the worms, leaning more conservative than not. I regularly feed coffee grounds, crushed egg shells, fruit and veggie scraps, and the remnants of my herbal teas. On occasion we have a compostable cardboard bowl or tray from buying sushi or salad to-go, which I tear into pieces and place into the bin. I limit the amount of onions, citrus and jalapenos I place in the bin. And I add shredded brown packing paper or cardboard at each feeding and sometimes in between. I tend to check on the worms at least twice a week, adding more paper/cardboard and aerating as needed. Mainly I just like to see how my little crew is doing. When I first got started and the amount in the Subpod was low, I found it easiest to use a flat stick to aerate. However, once the bin was several inches deep, I found that the aerator was much easier to use.
Finished product - COMING SOON
As soon as I harvest my first batch of compost, I'll post the results. As I mentioned above, I'm progressing slowly since I started with such a small number of worms. One thing I do know, harvesting castings from the Subpod should be easy. Simply place the finished compost on top of the soil next to the Subpod; allow the worms to move away from the sunlight and back into the soil. Then you can use the compost wherever you like. You can also dunk castings into water to create a type of compost tea, which you can then use to add nutrients to your garden plants. Subpod has created an excellent video that describes ways to use finished compost.
Pros and Cons
Although I don't have first-hand experience with other vermicomposting systems, I do interact with a number of people who have these systems, and it seems that Subpod is quite easy to manage, in comparison. The in-ground system allows the worms to come and go freely, which means that they can avoid foods they don't like and escape the environment if it becomes unhealthy. A lot of people have problems finding the proper balance of wet and dry in enclosed vermicomposting systems, and although this is still a potential challenge with the Subpod, the in-ground design with holes for airflow make the Subpod a more beginner-friendly system. And if things really do get screwed up somehow, since the worms can escape the Subpod, you don't have to worry about killing them, which can be an issue with enclosed units.
The in-ground nature of the Subpod system also helps regulate the temperatures, keeping the worms from getting too hot in summer and too cold in winter. And since the worms can come and go as they please, they can always escape to a warmer or cooler area if needed.
I appreciate that all the packaging from delivery of the Subpod can be used directly in the Subpod. No waste!
If you're balancing your wet and dry components well, you shouldn't have an issue with odor in any vermicomposting system, but if you do, it's nice that the Subpod remains outdoors.
I like that I can easily add a small amount of food scraps anytime I want, as opposed to hot composting where you want to add everything in bulk.
Since the Subpod is buried, it is less likely to attract rodents or other critters. I live in an area with plenty of rodents and raccoons, very common composting pests, and have never had any issues.
The Subpod comes with a two-year warranty. I prefer buying products with a lifetime guarantee, though those are quite rare. Nevertheless, Subpod is a modular system, and every part can be replaced. So even if you're past the warranty period, you can easily repair your system rather than having to replace it. This is good news for your wallet and the environment!
I've only tried the Subpod original, which has two sections and goes into the ground or a raised bed. Subpod also offers a Mini version as well, which can go in the ground, in a raised bed or in their elevated deck bed (or one you build or purchase elsewhere). The Mini would be great for small spaces or a single individual who doesn't produce a lot of food scraps. However, I have found that my worms often leave the side with fresh food and move to the more decomposed side of my bin, allowing the new food a chance to break down before they head back over. The Mini doesn't give you the option of feeding one side at a time since there is no center divider, unless you create your own.
Subpod is very active in providing educational information to its users. They post pertinent information, such as how to handle the heat in the summer or cold in the winter, via email and Facebook. They even host live Q&A sessions occasionally. There is also a Subpod Enthusiasts Facebook Group that offers tons of helpful information and quick feedback from fellow Subpoders.
It would be nice if you could dump absolutely everything you wanted to discard - food waste, pet waste, lawn/garden clippings, and other garbage - into one big hole and forget about it, later coming back to find beautiful compost ready to benefit your garden soil. Unfortunately that isn't reality. All composting systems require some amount of maintenance, and they all have some restrictions on what can be composted. Eventually I might look into a separate Subpod for pet waste, which currently goes to the landfill. And I do maintain a wooded compost area for things that can't go into the Subpod, like spoiled dog food or on the rare occasion that we have seafood or meat leftovers, though technically these can go into the Subpod in small amounts.
Conclusion
I originally purchased the Subpod because I wanted a solution for turning my food waste into compost and the Subpod seemed like the lowest maintenance option. Thankfully, the system is as low-maintenance as I had hoped! And bonus, it's actually a lot of fun to see the worms at work. I feel a great deal of satisfaction watching my food waste quickly disappear and turn into castings! While the initial cost is an investment, when you compare the Subpod to other vermicomposting systems or a compost pick-up service, it's really pretty comparable. Given that it's much easier to manage than a traditional hot or cold compost system, the cost differential seems reasonable to me. If you're looking for a fun and easy-to-manage compost system that allows to you to "feed" it regularly, I'd highly recommend looking into the Subpod. And in case you're wondering, no, I am not affiliated with Subpod in any way, nor did I receive anything from them for free. I'm simply sharing my opinion on this product in case it's helpful for those considering solutions for processing food scraps and other compostable materials. I'm always eager to learn about other people's experiences with compost, so please fee free to share!
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