Transcript Vermicomposting

Building a Worm Bin
Providing
Ventilation
You will need to drill
holes around the top
of your worm bin to
provide air flow for
your worms.
Providing
Ventilation
You can use any size
drill bit from 1/8 inch
to ½ inch. You can
drill fewer holes if
you use a large
diameter drill.
(The worms do not
typically try to
escape from the
container if they are
happy.)
Providing
Ventilation
Some people will
drill one or two small
holes at the bottom
of bin for drainage in
case the bin gets too
wet. If you do drill
drainage holes, you
will need to have
your bin sitting on a
tray or put plastic
under it to protect
the surface on which
it rests.
Preparing
Bedding
Various materials can
be used as bedding
in your worm bin.
Shredded paper is
one of the easiest to
use.
Preparing
Bedding
You will notice when
you shred your paper
that it will tear more
evenly up and down
that it will across the
page.
When a section is
folded in half, you
can start at the fold
and tear off ½ inch
to one inch strips.
Preparing
Bedding
Fluff the paper to
separate the strips
from one another.
Fill the container
because the bedding
will compact.
Preparing
Bedding
Once you have
shredded the
bedding, you will
need to moisten the
paper.
Preparing
Bedding
Bedding should be
moistened like a wet
sponge so that you
can squeeze a few
drops of water from
it. You do not want
water standing in the
bottom of the bin.
Adding
Some Grit
After you have
moistened the paper,
add up to a cup of
dirt.
Adding
Some Grit
Worms don’t have
teeth. They do have
a crop that helps to
mechanically
breakdown their
food. The grit aids
this process just as
providing grit for a
bird. You may also
want to add some
crushed egg shells
for a calcium source.
Adding the
Worms
Once your bin is
ready, it is time to
add some worms.
The worms used are
not nightcrawlers.
They are composting
worms commonly
called red wigglers,
brown-nosed worms,
tiger worms, or
manure worms in the
continental US. The
scientific name is
Eisenia fetida.
Adding the
Worms
A bin this size can
easily support 1 to 2
pounds of worms,
but you can start a
bin with just a hand
full. This bin was
started with two
quarter pound bags
of worms or about
500 worms total.
Adding
the Worms
These worms are
mostly mature
worms. Some
dealers sell worms
that include cocoons,
immature worms,
and adults. With
proper care, your
worms should
double their
population each
month.
Moisture
Protection
While not necessary,
putting wet
cardboard, brown
paper, or burlap on
top of the bedding
will help maintain
moisture in the pile.
It also serves as a
light barrier and the
worms will
congregate beneath
it.
This presentation was prepared by Bonnie
Rinard. Photography is by Tom Rinard.