Worm Composting

Background

Worm composting uses worms to recycle organic materials including food scraps and yard trimmings into vermicompost. One pound of red worms can consume half a pound of organic materials per day and turns them into nutrient-rich compost.

Worm's Habitat

Worms are sensitive to changes in climate. (Extreme temperatures and direct sunlight are not healthy for the worms; the best is from 55° F to 77° F.) They also need moisture, air, food, and darkness to live.

Source:Big Red Worms

https://bigredworms.com/product/red-wiggler-worms/

Pets on Mom

https://animals.mom.com/habitat-of-earthworms-3417144.html

Worm Composting Bin

A) Buy a vermicomposter (a.k.a. Worm composting bin)

Source:Worm Factory 360 Black

https://www.amazon.com/Worm-Factory-WF360B-Composter-Black/dp/B002LH47PY

B) DIY

Source:Working Worms

http://working-worms.com/how-to-make-your-own-worm-farm/

Materials + Instructions (DIY)

Three plastic Bins

The bottom width of each bin must be smaller than that of the top

(stackable bins)

Prop up each bin with a brick (or anything sturdy enough to carry the weight) so that the bins do not

collapse and come into contact with the materials beneath

Drill

1” and ⅛” diameter

Drill holes on the top cover to let in air for worms to breathe

Drill holes on the bottom of the first and second bins to let compost compile in the second bin and \

excess liquid (tea) drain out

(optional)

Drill a hole on a side of the third bin to collect the tea out of the bin

Screening Material

4” by 4” screen not made out of metal (window screen is fine)

Cover the holes on the bottom of the first bin so that worms do not escape

Waterproof Glue

To keep the screens in place

Dirt

A pound of dirt without any harmful chemicals

Water

Some water to moisten the paper and dirt

Worms

Pound of red wrigglers

For worm composting, red worms are often used, although earthworms also work.

Trowel

Need to move the compost as needed

Food Scraps Container

Collect vegetable and fruit scraps

Source:Working Worms

http://working-worms.com/how-to-make-your-own-worm-farm/

Source: Blendspace

https://www.tes.com/lessons/W0W1-bPIDA23lg/worm-farms-mitchell

Source: Instructables Living

https://www.instructables.com/id/Compost-Screen/

Source: Indiamart

https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/super-bond-liquid-adhesive-for-paper-wood-plastic-glass-21388594673.html

Source:Big Red Worms

https://bigredworms.com/product/red-wiggler-worms/

Source:DIY Network

https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/gardening/kitchen-compost-bins

*The bedding of the worm box should be covered with moist newspaper strips or leaves to hold moisture and contain air spaces.

*The box should be shallow since the red worms tend to live in the top 6’’ soil.

Source:

Ministry of Education of New Zealand

https://scienceonline.tki.org.nz/Teaching-science/Ethics/Caring-for-Animals/Animal-care/Worms-compost/Bin-diagram/(language)/eng-NZ

Food Scraps

What to Use

Vegetables & fruit scraps

Bread

Tea bags

Coffee grounds

Cereal

Shredded paper

Etc.

Source:The San Diego Union Tribute

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/home-and-garden/sdut-worm-composting-vermicompost-2013jul05-story.html

What NOT to Use

Animal by-products
- fat, bone, diary, meat, etc.

Woody or dry items
- Stems, outer layer of onions, etc.
- Takes longer to decompose

Plastic or fabric tea bags
- coffee filters, labels, etc.

Composting Process

Combine shredded black and white paper / cardboard, soil, and enough water
Put the mixture into the tall bin to about 3 inches deep
Add the worms and give them time to get use to the environment
Use the trowel to dug a hole and put a small handful of shredded paper
Put all food scraps on top of the paper (Best to feed them only once a week)
Cover the hole with dirt and moist paper (if exposed, it may attract pests)
Repeat the process until the worms have made enough compost
Remove scraps that the worms may not have eaten for a while
Keep the lid of the bin on

Harvesting the Compost

Once the worms have nearly completed composting (indicated by large amounts of compost and little bedding), they should be separated from the compost.