Worms - How to Start Your Own Worm Composting Bin!
Hello All,
As most of you know, by now, I am starting worm composting for several reasons.
Reason #1 - Compost!
Worm compost, also called worm castings, is a great additive for your garden.
Reason #2 - Minimizing what my family adds to the landfills
Worms are great at taking many things and turning it into rich compost. I have learned through researching that worms will eat almost anything! Fruits and Veggies, newspaper (not comics, no colors), cardboard, even coffee grinds (filter and all) but add eggshells to balance out PH in bin, and tea bags (remove staple). I have even heard that they will turn dryer lint into compost! What!?! Who would have thought that?
Reason #3 - Its cool!
I don't know about you but I know I loved playing in the dirt when I was a kid. Even now, why do you think gardening is so enjoyable? Adults love playing in the dirt too.
I love this pic of my daughter, we were on an archeology dig with UNLV when we lived in Nevada. She just enjoyed sitting there in the rocks and playing with the dirt and shovel.
Also, bugs are fun! (for the non-squeamish of course!) If you loved to play in dirt, most likely you enjoyed looking at and harassing bugs.
Did you ever sit and watch an ant hole? What about worms after a good rain? I am a nature and especially animal lover, yes that means all living things included.
There are some I may not like as much but they all fascinate me and know my kiddos agree!
So, on to starting a worm bin:
The first thing you need will be a bin, there are a lot of options for this. Your bin can be wood, metal, or plastic. I personally chose to do a Rubbermaid container bin because I am new to this and it is the cheaper option for me.
Next, you will need a simple drill to drill air hole around bin and on top of bin.
I used the 1/4" bit but honestly the holes are for the air flow within the bin for the worms. If the conditions are right in the bin, you will not have to worry about the worms getting out.
So, I drilled several holes in the top and about four on each side just under the rim of the tote.
It is usually suggested that you drill some holes on the bottom for drainage, but if you are maintaining the right amount of moisture and not too much, there should be no need for drainage holes.
Once the bin is ready you will need bedding. Now this is where I have found conflicting information. It is commonly written that all you need is a lot of newspaper and a handful or two of soil. This did not sound quite right to me so I did some more research. What I found was that most actual worm farmers (people that make a living raising worms) use peat moss and/or coconut coir (can be found in pet stores or online) as their main bedding source. At least 50% of the bedding should be one of these or a mix of these two things. Once the bedding is in, it needs to be moistened with a spray bottle or mister. If moistening with tap water it is recommended to let the bedding sit without the worms in it for 24 hours or have the water in a bottle that has been out for 24 hours so the chlorine in the tap water dissipates.
Now, the fun part! The worms! Any worm farmer will tell you, the best worms for composting purposes are the Eisenia fetida - also known as the red wiggler.
I am going to take this opportunity to highlight the company I purchased the worms from. My biggest concern when ordering the worms was the potential for them to die in the mail before I got them. I mean, come on, we have ALL dealt with the postal system at some point, right? I wanted to minimize that risk so I went searching for a local worm farm to get my worms.
As most of you know, by now, I am starting worm composting for several reasons.
 |
| Worm compost is GREAT for your garden! |
Reason #2 - Minimizing what my family adds to the landfills
 |
| That's a lot of "crap" hahaha get it! |
Reason #3 - Its cool!
 |
| Love playing in the dirt! |
I don't know about you but I know I loved playing in the dirt when I was a kid. Even now, why do you think gardening is so enjoyable? Adults love playing in the dirt too.
I love this pic of my daughter, we were on an archeology dig with UNLV when we lived in Nevada. She just enjoyed sitting there in the rocks and playing with the dirt and shovel.
 |
| Oooo Cool! |
Did you ever sit and watch an ant hole? What about worms after a good rain? I am a nature and especially animal lover, yes that means all living things included.
There are some I may not like as much but they all fascinate me and know my kiddos agree!
So, on to starting a worm bin:
The first thing you need will be a bin, there are a lot of options for this. Your bin can be wood, metal, or plastic. I personally chose to do a Rubbermaid container bin because I am new to this and it is the cheaper option for me.
 |
| I found this container at the local feed store on sale for $3. It is an 18 gallon container |
 |
| Just a plain ole' drill |
I used the 1/4" bit but honestly the holes are for the air flow within the bin for the worms. If the conditions are right in the bin, you will not have to worry about the worms getting out.
So, I drilled several holes in the top and about four on each side just under the rim of the tote.
It is usually suggested that you drill some holes on the bottom for drainage, but if you are maintaining the right amount of moisture and not too much, there should be no need for drainage holes.
Once the bin is ready you will need bedding. Now this is where I have found conflicting information. It is commonly written that all you need is a lot of newspaper and a handful or two of soil. This did not sound quite right to me so I did some more research. What I found was that most actual worm farmers (people that make a living raising worms) use peat moss and/or coconut coir (can be found in pet stores or online) as their main bedding source. At least 50% of the bedding should be one of these or a mix of these two things. Once the bedding is in, it needs to be moistened with a spray bottle or mister. If moistening with tap water it is recommended to let the bedding sit without the worms in it for 24 hours or have the water in a bottle that has been out for 24 hours so the chlorine in the tap water dissipates.
Now, the fun part! The worms! Any worm farmer will tell you, the best worms for composting purposes are the Eisenia fetida - also known as the red wiggler.
 |
| Eisenia fetida |
I came across BigTex Worms based in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex area. Let me tell you, when I got to her site I noticed she had a lot more information in one place than I had found in any other site. She offers a free e-book and free online class with a worm order. She also offers the chance to purchase the class or e-book for under $5 each. There is good information. Throughout her site she offers tutorial videos and she even runs a forum (Yahoo! Group format) for any questions and email support as well. So, if you have ever thought of Vermiculture or raising worms check out Liz's site at BigTex Worms and tell her Sharon sent you!
Well,off to check on the little critters! Hope you all have a great weekend.
Well,off to check on the little critters! Hope you all have a great weekend.
Thank you Sharon. Loved the pictures of the kids
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Celeste. I found those digging around the computer files :) I have so many from the homeschool group. I will have to dig out some more :)
ReplyDelete