Subpod Mini Pet Poop Composter

It is best to install the Subpod pet poo composter in an ornamental plant bed or lawn. Keep it away from the vegetable garden to be extra safe, to ensure that no human pathogens can enter your edible garden.

Absolutely!! In fact, adding some food scraps into the mix will increase the microbial diversity of the finished product.

Just ensure that you do not use the finished pet poo compost on edible crops. Use this black gold to fertilise ornamental plants.

Yes you can although you must ensure that only compostable pet litter is used and avoid adding too much litter that has urine soaked into it as this will upset your worms.

Many council dog parks are successfully using Subpods to handle dog poop. Folks dump their bags straight in and yes, the system can handle it.
However, for home use we recommend using a pooper scooper and avoid bags if possible. If you have a bag of dog poop after a walk or just don't like using pooper scoopers then please be aware:
1. You must use bags that are HOME compostable.
2. The bags can get caught up in the aerator.
3. Your compost will take longer to break down and depending on the quality of bag you use, you may end up with tiny pieces of plastic that need to be sifted out of the finished compost before you use it to fertilise your decorative plants.

Yes! Being underground is what makes Subpod different from other compost systems. The soil provides insulation and a way for worms and microbes to explore your garden and feed your plants.

Above ground compost systems struggle to keep worms and microbes comfortable, and even alive, in summer and winter – but underground they're safe and happy (which is the secret to good compost).

Yes! Subpod is a vermi-composting system, which means it relies on compost worms to break down your food waste. Without compost worms, Subpod can't do its job.

We recommend buying worms for your Subpod locally if possible, but you can also find them online. If you need more information on how to buy worms, Read this blog!

Unfortunately, no. But we do have a few tips though!

• Try to purchase worms locally. Worms always seem to be happier if they don’t have to be shipped for miles across the country.
• Get a diversity of worms. There are 3 main types: Red Wigglers, Night Crawlers and Tigers. Each is better suited to different environments and temperatures, so it’s helpful to get all three.
• Jump on to our growhub community and see if there’s a local Subpodder that will give you some worms. Make a friend and score some worms at the same time!

• When you add your food scraps and carbon material to the Subpod, you'll need to mix them through using an aerator. This takes a few minutes each time you feed the worms.
• If the soil surrounding Subpod settles and starts to reveal the Subpod wormholes (beneath the airflow panels), more soil (and mulch) needs to be added to cover the holes.
• Otherwise, just keep feeding your worms and keep the blanket moist when you are adding more food.

Yes! Subpod can be installed directly into the ground. Subpods work the same planted directly in the ground as they do in a raised bed, however we find that raised beds are just that much easier to access and use Subpod.

Subpod is an in-ground worm farm, the first ever of its kind! Above ground compost systems are often difficult to maintain and attract pests. Worm farms that are above ground also fail when they get too hot or cold – but not Subpod. Subpod sits 90% below the soil level in your garden, so the compost worms that live inside can come and go freely (nourishing the soil directly). The soil insulates your compost and protects your worms from harsh weather, so you can keep composting no matter the season!

We designed Subpod to deal with all the common issues associated with traditional compost systems:

- It’s aerobic, using odourless microbes to speed up the composting process

- The ventilation panels keep it smell-free with fresh air

- It’s pest-resistant and lockable (great if you deal with raccoons)

- It doubles as a garden seat, subtly hidden amongst your plants

Set up your Poop Subpod in a shady location so it doesn’t overheat in the summer. 

If your dogs are prone to producing dry poop, consider keeping a small bucket near the Subpod with some water in it to drop the poop into and tip this into the Subpod after a few hours or when you get to it.

When the system is close to full (it will take 6 months on average for one large dog’s worth or 2 smaller ones) wait a week or two without feeding and empty the upper half into the garden around ornamental shrubs or around any kind of tree - ornamental or fruit or nut bearing is safe.  You can use the aerator to harvest the compost.   Remaining worms in the system will quickly breed up to manage the resumed poop feedings.  

Optional: to maximize the worms kept in the Subpod during harvest, consider making a slurry of white flour and water the consistency of pancake batter.  Use a stick to push back the compost from the 4 corners to create wells reaching to the bottom on the Subpod and pour the batter into these holes.  Wait 2 to 3 days and just harvest the upper half of the compost. 

Keep an eye on the consistency - if the compost is looking dry, mix in some water.  If it is looking wet or sludgy, add a dry carbon that has some fiber - wood shavings or coconut coir are best for bringing air back into the compost. Crushed dried leaves that have been on the ground for at least 3 months are another choice.  This brings in plenty of air which is healthy for the worms and favors conditions for aerobic microbes which keeps smells at bay.