Can garlic go in your worm bin?
Yes, garlic scraps, such as peels, can in principle go in your Bonter worm bin, but they belong to the ‘in moderation’ category. Garlic contains strong sulfur compounds that can repel worms and disrupt the microbial balance in the bin, especially in larger quantities. Smaller amounts, well prepared and mixed, are more manageable and can be processed without problems.
How much garlic can you add?
Add garlic scraps, especially cloves and thicker parts, very sparingly. Think of just a few peels or a tiny piece of a clove at a time. Adding too much garlic, or too frequently, can lead to unwanted odors, worms avoiding the feeding area, and a slowing of the composting process. Always mix garlic with plenty of other, neutral waste and a generous amount of dry bedding material.
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What to do instead? Alternatives & waste management
Because garlic can be added to the worm bin with great caution, alternatives for scraps are often a good idea. Garlic peels can be saved and used to flavor broth. Cloves that are no longer good can be added (in small quantities) to an outdoor compost heap, if available. Avoid discarding them with general waste where possible; try to reuse scraps or compost them in a more suitable way if you have a Bonter.
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Tips for safe garlic composting
Cut garlic scraps, especially cloves, as small as possible. This helps breakdown and reduces the impact of the strong compounds. Mix the garlic snippets with a larger amount of other, more easily digestible waste and plenty of dry bedding material. Bury the mix deep under the top layer. This helps control the strong odor and prevents worms from coming into direct contact with high concentrations of garlic. Your Bonter filters odors, but the strong garlic smell may be briefly noticeable immediately after adding if not well buried.
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Frequently asked questions about composting garlic
Can garlic peels go in the worm bin?
Can garlic cloves go in the worm bin?
Does garlic attract pests in the worm bin?
Does garlic cause a strong odor in the worm bin?
Can I add cooked garlic scraps to my Bonter?
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