We started a vermicomposting bin to make some worm castings for the garden, in addition to cold composting in the backyard. Why vermicompost? Like with composting, the practice diverts food scraps from the waste stream. Worm poop, or castings, is a nitrogen and microbiotic rich soil amendment that takes very little effort on our part to create. The initial input to create the bin is only a couple of hours, and if you keep the it inside, it requires even less energy to transfer food scraps. Here is how we did it with a few materials in 10 easy steps. What you need:
Cost: $50-$60 project We had most of the materials needed already, so spent approximately $20 on materials and $30 on the worms. We found the hardware cloth and aluminum window screen in the garage, so if this is not something you already have, expect to spend an additional $10 for it. 10 Step Instructions Step 1: Drill several drainage holes in the bottom of the container, a few inches apart. There is really no set formula for this, just space them relatively evenly and make sure they are distributed throughout the bottom to provide even drainage. Step 2: Measure a piece of aluminum screen slightly larger than the bottom of the bin. Fold the edges, and hot glue the wire to the bottom. This will keep the food scraps, bedding and worms from clogging the drainage hold. Step 3: Cut a hole approximately 3" x 6" in the lid that fits the bin Step 4: Measure and cut 1 piece of aluminum screen and 1 piece of hardware cloth that are slightly larger than the hole you cut in the lid that fits the bin. Step 5: Lay the piece of hardware cloth piece on top of the piece aluminum screen. Screw the pieces in that order on top of the hole to hold it in place. This will provide air circulation into the bin and keep anything from getting in or out of the box. Step 6: Set the bin on top of the larger lid that will act as a drainage tray. Add shredded newspaper. We used a shredder and then ripped the long pieces into smaller ones by hand. Step 7: Moisten the newspaper using water that has a neutral pH (7) - that's what worms like. The newspaper should feel like a rung-out sponge. Step 8: Add your worms! We purchased them online, and added the worms to the bin within 8 hours of receiving them. We had to scramble a bit, so be prepared with the worm bin or be willing to start making it the day you receive the worms online or sourced locally. Step 9: Leave the worms in the light for about 30 minutes - 1 hour. This will force the worms down into the newspaper bedding you created. When they sense light, they fear being seen by a predator, so will quickly dig down.
Step 10: Cover, and move the bin to your desired location where it is around 70 degrees. Inside this is easy, but if you have it outside, it will need to be brought in over the winter. The bin definitely doesn't smell if you take care of them! That's how to set it up. We've had it for about a month now, and this is what we've learned to maintain it with a little food scraps and water: What you need:
The newspaper will provide enough food as it breaks down for the worms in their first 3 weeks. Start keeping food scraps in the kitchen, letting them warm up and start to breakdown before feeding the worms. We started feeding them once a week, and you can increase the frequency overtime. The larger the bin, the more often you can feed them. Moisture: Always keep the bedding moist so that it feels like a rung-out sponge. We spray the bedding gently with water from a spray bottle once a week. Keeping a full bottle of neutral pH water right next to the bin makes this job easier. Harvesting: We're not there yet, but here is a good method we learned:
Now we have fish and worms that we are taking care of, while they produce yields to feed us and make the soil healthy.
2 Comments
10/14/2013 03:17:54 am
The ability to concentrate and to use time well is everything.
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