What is Vermicomposting?
Vermicosting, or worm composting, is the process of using worms to turn kitchen waste into nutrient-rich humus that makes plants thrive. Worm compost is a natural fertilizer and soil conditioner.
How do we do it?
To get started, get your vermicomposter and at least one pound of red worms. You can find the worms at a local bait shop or at a specialty online store. One pound of worms eats approximately 3 pounds of food scraps weekly! Keep the worms in your worm bin. Be sure to keep the lid locked secure. Worms like cool, dark, moist places.
What goes in the Vermicomposter?
Bedding and Food. Bedding materials include shredded cardboard, shredded newspaper, compost, or shredded fall leaves. Fill the bottom three quarters of your bin with damp bedding. Keep it moist and “fluffy” (but not wet). If the bedding gets too dry spray with a spray bottle of water; if the bedding gets too wet add more newspaper strips. Do not use colored ink newspaper- the ink is toxic to worms.
Food for worms include vegetable scraps, fruit peelings, leftover pasta, bread/grains, tea bags, coffee grounds/filters, finely crushed egg shells. Simply add the food to the top of your worms and bedding.
Keep a sheet of dry newspaper spread flat over the top of your contents to maintain moisture, reduce odor and keep fruit flies out. If odor or fruit flies appear, it is time to change the newspaper sheet.
What doesn’t go in it? Do not put meat, bones, wood scraps, cheese/dairy, fat, grass clippings in your vermicomposter.
Will the worms get out when I open the bin to add food? Worms like the dark so when you open the lid to add food and the light gets in, the worms will immediately go to the bottom of the bedding.
When do I know when the compost is ready? You will see rich, dark soil. You can use a measuring cup to scoop out finished compost to add to your planters and garden.
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