Vermicomposting is an excellent way to recycle kitchen scraps and organic waste into nutrient-rich compost using earthworms. Here’s a quick start and set-up guide to help you get started with vermicomposting:
- Gather Your Supplies:
- Worm Bin: You can purchase a pre-made worm bin or make one yourself using a plastic container with a lid. Ensure it has ventilation holes and a drainage system.
- Bedding Material: Shredded newspaper, cardboard, coconut coir, or peat moss. Avoid glossy or colored paper.
- Redworms: “Red Wigglers” otherwise known as, Eisenia fetida, or Eisenia andrei are commonly used for vermicomposting.
- Kitchen Scraps: Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells (crushed), and small amounts of non-citrus fruit waste.
- Optional: A small garden trowel, pH test kit, and a moisture meter.
- Set Up the Worm Bin:
- Drill holes in the top and sides of the container for ventilation and drainage.
- Lay one or two sheets of dry newspaper at the very bottom of the starting tray. Add a few inches of damp bedding material over top of the newspaper. This will serve as the initial habitat for your worms.
- Add the Worms:
- Place your worms on top of the bedding. You may wish to start with a small number (around 500) and gradually increase the population as they reproduce, and the bin matures. Alternatively, one pound, roughly 800-1000 worms will ensure your habitat gets off to a healthy start.
- Provide Proper Conditions:
- Keep the bedding moist but not waterlogged. Aim for a damp sponge-like consistency. Use a spray bottle to add water when needed.
- Maintain proper temperature: Worms thrive in temperatures between 55-77°F (13-25°C).
- Keep the bin in a shaded area, garage, or indoors to protect it from extreme weather conditions.
- Feed Your Worms:
- Add kitchen scraps in small quantities. Bury the scraps under the bedding to prevent fruit flies and odors.
- Worms can eat their weight in food scraps daily, so adjust the amount of food you add accordingly.
- Avoid feeding citrus, onions, garlic, meat, dairy, and oily or spicy foods as they can harm the worms or create odors.
- Maintain the Bin:
- Turn the bedding occasionally to aerate it and distribute the composting material.
- Check the moisture level regularly and adjust as needed.
- Harvest the compost when it’s dark, crumbly, and mostly free of worms and bedding material. This may take a few months to a year, depending on the size of your bin and the number of worms.
- Harvest the Compost:
- Move the finished compost to one side of the bin, away from the worms and fresh bedding.
- The worms will migrate to the side with fresh bedding and food scraps.
- Harvest the finished compost from the emptied side and start the process over again.
- Troubleshooting:
- If you encounter problems like foul odors or an excess of fruit flies, adjust your feeding habits and ensure proper ventilation and moisture levels.
- If the worms appear unhealthy or die off, check the conditions and make adjustments as necessary.
Vermicomposting is a fun and eco-friendly way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich compost for your plants. With proper care and attention, your worm bin can thrive and provide you with valuable compost for your garden.
