A Home for Worms: Vermicomposting

This project is great for children because it involves the wiggly wonders of the earth: worms (redworms, that is). Although, the young at heart should not shy away from this project! This is a great way to supplement your garden, houseplants, whatever with nourishment like no other. All the while, you are being green by reusing many of your kitchen scraps. It is a win-win all the way around! Let’s get started!

What is Vermicomposting?
Simply put, vermicomposting is the process of using micro-organisms and worms to turn kitchen scraps into a black, nutrient-rich humus. It is primarily done during the winter months when little yard waste is readily available for a traditional compost pile. Under the right circumstances, the worms will eagerly go to work digesting the kitchen scraps and bedding more quickly than any other compost method. The material consumed will pass through the worms’ bodies and become what is known as castings. In roughly three or four months, the worms will have digested nearly all of the materials and the bin will be full of a rich, black fertilizer/soil amendment. Compared to regular soil, the castings contain roughly five times more nitrogen, seven times more phosphorus and eleven times more potassium. In addition, they are rich in humic acids and help to improve the overall structure of your soil. Sounds like it is time to build a vermicomposting bin, eh?

Materials Needed
- A Container
- Bedding
- Water
- Worms
- Non fatty Kitchen Scraps
- Garden Soil

Selecting a Container
When selecting a container, it is imperative to choose a rather shallow container, somewhere between eight and twelve inches deep. The worm bin needs to be shallow for a couple of different reasons: the worms you will add only feed on the top layers of the bedding and a deep bin is not efficient and could potentially become an odor problem (nobody wants that!). It is also important that the container has adequate drainage so it doesn’t retain too much moisture, and that it has a lid to conserve moisture and provide darkness for the worms.

Now, you can either purchase a plastic storage container, make a wooden container, or reuse something left around the house (an old dresser drawer works great!). Plastic storage containers are certainly very convenient and are easily moved, compared to heavier wooden bins. If you choose this option, make sure to NEVER snap the lid shut; it should lay loosely on the bin. This helps promote aeration and also gives the worms oxygen (like us, they too need air!). Wooden bins are desirable, especially when the bin is going to be outdoors for part of the year or placed in a heated garage. They also allow for better air movement. If at all possible, you should choose this option.

Depending on the size of your bin, drill 1/4” to 1/2” holes in the bottom for drainage (roughly 12 of them). Plastic bins may need more drainage, so keep an eye on them. If the contents get too wet, simply drill more holes! Raise your bin on bricks to allow excess moisture to flow freely without getting trapped under the bin. To be extra green, place a tray underneath to capture excess liquid to later use as a liquid plant fertilizer!

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