Worm composting easy as 1. 2. 3. 4.
Composting with compost worms can be as simple or as elaborate
as you want. You really only need 4 basic items; worms, a bin, worm bedding and organic matter, or food scraps. With these four simple steps you can compost from sunny Vancouver to our colder northern areas of Canada.
2. Worm binsWorm bins can be made from many different materials and endless shapes and sizes. You can construct a new worm bin to fit in that perfect space, or find a new use for an old dresser drawer. There are just a few requirements for a worm bin, it must be able to keep the bedding moist, not be made from material that won’t leach harmful toxins into the bin (like treated wood). Your bin should have about one square foot of surface space per pound of worms. There are two types of bins, one built like a box which will require you to hand harvest your casting and a flow through worm bin, where you feed your worms from the top and as they eat and move upwards their castings are left behind.
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Basic worm binsMost bins are made from either plastic or wood.
Both have advantages and disadvantages. . |
Worm Bin 101
Now I could make a video, put in some pictures but really these guys are great!! Here is a plastic worm bin being made. A wooden worm bin would be the same. Fill your bin 3/4 full of moist bedding, and worms and then begin to add your food waste. Voila! You are now vericomposting!
3. Worm Bedding
Oh the choices!! In order to compost you need to provide your worms with bedding. The bedding is what you will bury the food scrapes and is a very important part of your worm bin. The bedding acts as a place for the worms to escape too if their bin becomes to acidic, or otherwise inhabitable. Several points to remember when choosing your worm bedding is:
* it needs to retain moisture
* ph neutral and aged past the point of heating up
* be loose and not compact which allows for air passage
* it needs to retain moisture
* ph neutral and aged past the point of heating up
* be loose and not compact which allows for air passage
Coir
Coir, which is shredded coconut husks, is another great bedding that can be used on its own or added to other bedding material like newsprint and paper. It is Ph neutral and is great for moisture retention and air flow. Coir is very similar to peat moss, which some use for worm bedding, but unlike peat moss is it is a renewable resource. The
disadvantage is that coir must be purchased, unless you have a few palm trees in your backyard.
disadvantage is that coir must be purchased, unless you have a few palm trees in your backyard.
4. Compost Worm menu
Under ideal conditions compost worms can consume ½ their body weight a day in organics. Food scraps can be added whole, or chopped into smaller pieces, those with lots of time on their hands can even puree it! There are those who freeze the food scraps first, to help break down the scraps faster. Any which way you prepare the food scraps there are just a few food items to avoid (see Compost worms do not feed items).
Compost Worm FavoritesWorms are mainly vegetarians and will eat most fruit and veggie peelings such as:
* Watermelon, apples, kiwi * Carrot and potatoes peelings. * They also love coffee grounds (and the filter) and tea bags. * You can feed limited bread (moldy is fine) and cooked rice, but place this on top and do not bury. * Egg shells – wash and grind up the shells (or pulverise). The calium help keep the ph neutral and helps with reproduction. |
Compost Worms - Do Not Feed!!* Dairy - no yogurt or cheese
* Meat * Oil and fats - if you have put dressing on your salad do not feed to worms * Citrus - limited amounts can be fed but too much will make your bin too acidic and the oils are harsh on the worm skin * Onions and hot peppers - like citrus the oils can burn the worms skin |