In-Ground Worm Composter

Dig a hole about 7.9 in (20 cm) wide and 13.8 in (35 cm) deep, then sink the In-Ground up to the widest part of its upper section. The holes need to be fully underground so insects can't get in. Assembling the In-Ground is simple: snap the upper section into the lower section, thread the elastic cord through a hole and tie a knot, then stretch it over the lid to the peg on the opposite side. It holds the lid in place in strong winds and keeps rodents and other pests out.

All our tips: What is an in-ground worm composter and how does it work?

With its 3.2-gallon (12-liter) composting area, the In-Ground holds about 22 lb (10 kg) of organic waste. It's our largest-capacity in-ground worm composter, ideal if the WORMacotta is too small for your food scraps. Chop them finely to speed up the worms' work. At first, add only a reasonable amount of scraps, since the worms need time to multiply and build up their appetite. The In-Ground's diet is the same as that of a standard worm bin: as much dry material (cardboard, paper) as fresh scraps, and avoid citrus, garlic, and onion.

Yes, worms are not included: the In-Ground comes with its two sections, its terracotta-colored lid with elastic cord, a vermicomposting guide, and an online training session. The In-Ground worm composter works with Eisenia composting worms, not with ordinary garden earthworms. To get started, push the tube into the ground until the last holes disappear, fill it with finely chopped peels, then add the worms: they will gradually colonize the surrounding soil.

For the In-Ground, start with our Eisenia composting worms, which are not included: they're the ones that will colonize the soil around the tube and leave their vermicompost there. In winter, cover the lid with a piece of our XXL hemp mat, cut to shape, or with mulch, since the soil already insulates the tube well. To collect your food scraps in the kitchen, our Urbalive 6 L compost bin, with its removable inner basket, is very handy. And if you have a large yard, several In-Grounds spread throughout your garden beds will bring life to all of your soil.

Not regularly: that's the whole point of an in-ground worm composter like the In-Ground. The worms deposit their vermicompost directly into the surrounding soil, which benefits your plants: they need less watering and can do without chemical fertilizers. If the In-Ground's tube eventually holds more vermicompost than food scraps to process, empty it completely, spread the vermicompost around the base of your plants, and then start adding scraps again. Check the moisture from time to time: contents that are too dry attract ants, while soggy contents attract fruit flies.

All our tips: What is an in-ground worm composter and how does it work?