I drilled 3/4″ holes about an inch or two down from the top of the bin all the way around and 6-8 holes through the bottom of the bin. I set the bin in a concrete pan on several bricks to let excess liquid drain through.

All our kitchen waste (less meat and grease, as you mentioned) goes into the bin, but I also use a lot of shredded office paper, mixed with red worms (although I have some nightcrawlers in there as well for my fisherman husband). I dig a hole in the bin, empty the compost pail into it, pack it down into the hole a bit, then cover it all with some of the shredded paper. The paper keeps the mix at the consistency I like it — not dripping wet, but moist. The worms love it.

In the summer, the bin goes out onto the deck or into the garden, and each fall or when the bin gets full, I empty almost everything in it (worms and all) into my planting beds. The worms, surprisingly, do pretty well over the winter, and what a difference it makes in my planting beds! As long as there are a few worms left in the bin after I empty it, I just add paper and kitchen scraps and it begins to develop again. Worms multiply like rabbits when they have lots of food.

It’s a great way to use office paper and, like you, I never have had a bad smell develop as long as I’ve kept the shredded paper on the top.

Hey David, when are you going to take an interest in all us gardeners in Alaska? You’ve missed some of the most dedicated, innovative gardeners in the world, and we’d love to show you some of the ways we’ve found to grow incredible flowers and fruit!

I’ve seen your plants at my sister’s in WY, and I’d love to figure out a way to expand your shipping area so I can take advantage of your great plants as well. There are lots of us Master Gardeners in Alaska who feel the same way, so don’t discount the potential market!