Vermicomposting, or worm composting, is an efficient way to turn kitchen scraps into rich nutrients for your veggie patch. Red worms and red wigglers are the champs at devouring everything from newspaper strips to crushed eggshells. (See References 1) The worm castings produced in a vermicomposter are odorless and almost effortless by-products of a simple recycling effort that you can set up under the sink.
Scout the best location for a worm compost bin. Clear space under the kitchen sink or choose a protected corner of a patio or garden shed. Remember, worms won't tolerate winter weather so you'll need to move them inside or to a heated garage before the first frost. If you live in a very hot climate, you'll need to find a cool indoor space in summer, as worms don't do well in temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. (See References 3)
Drill a half-dozen holes each in the lid and bottom of a plastic or rubber storage container. If the bin is in a poorly ventilated area like under the sink, you should drill a few holes in the sides of the container as well. Choose a storage container that is about a foot deep and is large enough for the amount of waste you plan to recycle. You'll need approximately 1 square foot of surface area for each pound of kitchen waste generated per week, according to the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System. For a family of four to six people, it recommends a 2-foot by 3-foot container. (See References 2)
Set down a shallow plastic tray in the spot where you plan to keep the bin. The tray should be close in size to the storage container. Place two blocks of wood in the tray and rest the container on top of the blocks; this will keep the bottom of the worm bin elevated. Air circulating around and under the box provides essential oxygen for the worms and the decomposition process, while keeping odors down. (See References 3)
Fill the container three-quarters full of shredded newspaper or corrugated cardboard, leaf mulch or peat moss. Worms eat the bedding as well as the kitchen scraps so bedding should be pesticide-free and chemical-free material. Spray the bedding with water to moisten it thoroughly or pre-soak it and wring it out before adding it to the bin.
Add your worms. Red worms and red wigglers are available at bait shops, from composting neighbors or online from worm farmers and garden suppliers. Buy a pound of worms per half-pound of daily garbage. Keep the bin in a lighted area at first, even if you snap on the aerated lid; worms don't like light, so this will ensure that they will dig into the bedding and not try to crawl out of the box. (See References 3)
Feed the worms kitchen scraps once they have burrowed into the bedding. Safe compost materials are vegetable scraps, coffee grinds and untreated paper filters, used tea bags, crushed eggshells and shredded paper --- but avoid coated colored stock like glossy magazines. Be sparing with citrus peels; worms don't like the acidic conditions citrus can produce. Do not feed the worms grease, oils, dairy products, meats, bones or pet manure. Push all scraps under layers of bedding. (See References 3)
When the worms have produced rich, dark castings, shove the castings to one side of the bin and add fresh layers of new bedding and scraps on the other side. It will take about a month for the worms to migrate over to the new food and then you can harvest the compost for use on houseplants and in the garden.
Things You Will Need
- Plastic or rubber storage container with snap top
- Plastic tray
- Wood blocks
- Newspaper strips, cardboard, peat moss
- Red wigglers or red worms
- Kitchen scraps
- If liquid drains from the bin into the tray below, it's a sign that the bin may be too wet. Add more bedding to counteract this. You can pour the liquid "worm tea" onto your houseplants.
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