Vermicomposting Instructions
VERMICOMPOSTING (WORM COMPOSTING) Vermicompost bins are a great way to get rid of food scraps in an eco-friendly way. Worms help break food down faster and create more nutrient rich compost (castings). Additionally, worm bins can be kept inside apartments or dorms because, if managed properly, do not produce any odor. SUPPLIES: 1. Bin with a lid (5-gallon buckets or Tupperware bins work well) 2. Newspaper or corrugated cardboard 3. Water 4. Dirt 5. Handful of worms (red wrigglers are best, can be bought where bait is sold) BUILDING YOUR OWN BIN: 1. Drill/punch several small holes in the top of the lid to allow airflow 2. Rip newspapers into inch-wide strips, enough to slightly overflow your bin 3. Wet the shredded newspaper scraps with water until they are moist, but not dripping 4. Add a handful of dirt (for grit to aid digestion) and mix in 5. Add your worms and start adding food slowly, noticing how quickly they break it down FEEDING LIST DO FEED THEM: a. Vegetable scraps b. Grains/bread c. Crushed eggshells or coffee grounds d. Tea bags (remove the staple) e. Paper products f. Yard waste DON’T FEED THEM a. Meat/dairy/animal protein b. Oils/greasy foods c. Citrus d. Glossy paper TO HARVEST CASTING 1. When bedding is no longer recognizable and you have a nice dark material resembling soil, dump contents of bin onto a tarp somewhere bright 2. Pull handfuls of compost out towards the edges of the tarp, worms dislike the light and will move into the center of the pile 3. Repeat until you have a pile of mostly worms in the middle 4. Return the worms to the bin with new bedding and use the compost in your garden or give to friends VERMICOMPOSTING (WORM COMPOSTING) Vermicompost bins are a great way to get rid of food scraps in an eco-friendly way. Worms help break food down faster and create more nutrient rich compost (castings). Additionally, worm bins can be kept inside apartments or dorms because, if managed properly, do not produce any odor. SUPPLIES: 1. Bin with a lid (5-gallon buckets or Tupperware bins work well) 2. Newspaper or corrugated cardboard 3. Water 4. Dirt 5. Handful of worms (red wrigglers are best, can be bought where bait is sold) BUILDING YOUR OWN BIN: 1. Drill/punch several small holes in the top of the lid to allow airflow 2. Rip newspapers into inch-wide strips, enough to slightly overflow your bin 3. Wet the shredded newspaper scraps with water until they are moist, but not dripping 4. Add a handful of dirt (for grit to aid digestion) and mix in 5. Add your worms and start adding food slowly, noticing how quickly they break it down FEEDING LIST DO FEED THEM: a. Vegetable scraps b. Grains/bread c. Crushed eggshells or coffee grounds d. Tea bags (remove the staple) e. Paper products f. Yard waste DON’T FEED THEM a. Meat/dairy/animal protein b. Oils/greasy foods c. Citrus d. Glossy paper TO HARVEST CASTING 1. When bedding is no longer recognizable and you have a nice dark material resembling soil, dump contents of bin onto a tarp somewhere bright 2. Pull handfuls of compost out towards the edges of the tarp, worms dislike the light and will move into the center of the pile 3. Repeat until you have a pile of mostly worms in the middle 4. Return the worms to the bin with new bedding and use the compost in your garden or give to friends DIAGNOSTICS TABLE PROBLEM CAUSE Attracts flies and insects Mold forming Water running out bottom Same as above Air holes too big Starving Too wet Too dry Bedding gone, eaten Temperatures too high or low Toxicity Acid build up Acid build up Too much moisture Worms escaping Unhealthy conditions Rotten Odor Worms dying Bedding too wet Food exposed to air Greasy or meaty food Not enough air Too much food SOLUTION Drain moisture, fluff up bedding Cover food with bedding Remove offending food Drain moisture, fluff up bedding Add more bedding, stop adding food for a while Same as above Cover holes with netting Add more food Add more bedding or dry it out Spray water on to moisten Harvest compost, add bedding Move to more moderate climate Check for food and bedding Too many citrus scraps, remove Too many citrus scraps, remove Drain, add dry bedding and fluff, use less food with high moisture content; leave lid off for a day Check problems listed above DIAGNOSTICS TABLE PROBLEM CAUSE Attracts flies and insects Mold forming Water running out bottom Same as above Air holes too big Starving Too wet Too dry Bedding gone, eaten Temperatures too high or low Toxicity Acid build up Acid build up Too much moisture Worms escaping Unhealthy conditions Rotten Odor Worms dying Bedding too wet Food exposed to air Greasy or meaty food Not enough air Too much food SOLUTION Drain moisture, fluff up bedding Cover food with bedding Remove offending food Drain moisture, fluff up bedding Add more bedding, stop adding food for a while Same as above Cover holes with netting Add more food Add more bedding or dry it out Spray water on to moisten Harvest compost, add bedding Move to more moderate climate Check for food and bedding Too many citrus scraps, remove Too many citrus scraps, remove Drain, add dry bedding and fluff, use less food with high moisture content; leave lid off for a day Check problems listed above
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