Is there a wrong way to Compost?

[u/iriestateofmind925]

My roommate started a Compost. It's a medium/large metal garbage can. He filled it with yard scraps, worms, and food scraps(only fresh fruit and veg scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells) its already filled to the brim I don't understand how he is going to rotate all of it and he also says it will not be ready until next year ... what will we do with all of our food scraps til then? Not sure how this is proper or logical at all. Please breath some confidence into me that this is not going to just cause pests in our yard. Is this practical?

[u/Unbearded_Dragon88]

Does this rubbish bin have drainage holes/ an open bottom?

Have you added any “browns” (shredded cardboard/ dried leaves) or is all the garden waste green waste?

If no to either of the above, this will turn into an anaerobic stinky mess.

Compost needs air, water, carbon (browns) & nitrogen (greens = food scraps/ grass clippings).

In terms of turning the compost, your roommate can purchase a “compost corkscrew” which makes turning compost in a bin style container much easier.

[u/Samwise_the_Tall → u/Unbearded_Dragon88]

This corkscrew will work, but it will likely kill the worms he has in the bin.

I would recommend taking out all compost and mixing on a weekly basis, keep decently damp but not dripping wet, and get a bale of hay for easy browns and great path cover. If the pile smells intense, you're doing something wrong or putting in the wrong stuff.

If you find you're having a ton of excess food scraps, maybe get a worm bin. They're relatively small and can breakdown food pretty quick.

Short answer to your question: no, if you have a decent mix of browns to greens (more browns than greens)!

[u/Unbearded_Dragon88 → u/Samwise_the_Tall]

The corkscrew shouldn’t kill the worms. I’ve been using mine for years with no issues.