Composting with worms is a great alternative to the traditional compost pile. Some of the advantages of worm composting include:
- Easy to do year round. Since the worm compost bin will be indoors or a sheltered area, worm composting can take place year round despite snow and ice.
- Worm compost is 7 times richer in nutrients than compost created by fungi and bacteria.
- No turning or watering. The worms do all the work.
Composting with worms also has many benefits:
- reduction of waste that goes to the garbage can.
- production of rich compost to use in the garden or give away or sell.
- production of red worms, which can be used for fishing or in the garden via a worm tower.
- a possible fun activity for children.
How to Get Started With a Worm Composting System
The first step to getting started is to find a bin. Worm composting bins can be purchased or made quite easily. For counter top worm composting, a small bin, about the size of a shoebox, will suffice.
Next, decide on a location for the worm bin. If room is lacking on the counter top, under the sink or in a cabinet works just as well. For a larger bin, a corner of the room, in a closet, in the basement, or under the bed are good choices. Worm bins do not smell unless something goes terribly wrong.
Now, start collecting worm bedding. Worm bedding is the equivalent of carbon content. Newspaper, paper egg cartons, and cereal boxes all make great bedding. Give it to the worms instead of the garbage can. The bedding will be most effective if it is shredded. Newspaper and office paper can be shredded with a standard office shredder. Other items will have to be ripped apart by hand.
The last step is to collect worm food. Place kitchen scraps in a plastic bin with a lid until ready to use. This bin will smell when opened, so it might be best to locate in the garage or on the porch.
Filling the Worm Composting Bin
Alternate layers of bedding and worm food about 1/4 of the way up the container. Let this sit for a week or so before adding worms, if possible. Then add the worms.
Keep a dry layer of shredded newspaper or other bedding on the top. This helps regulate moisture and keeps worms down in the bin.
When recognizable chunks of food and goopy texture are gone, add more food and more bedding. Keep doing this until enough compost is created. Enough is as much as one would like, or the bin is full.
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