Vermicomposting

Vermicompost is the product of worm digestion and aerobic decomposition at room temperature. Vermicomposting produces a rich organic soil amendment containing diverse plant nutrients and beneficial microorganisms.

1. Build your worm bin: You can use a variety of materials for your bin, including plastic, 1-2 inch thick styrofoam, or wood (not cedar). Bins around the size of 18”x24”x18” are suggested.
   • Poke small holes in the bottom and along the sides of your bin. You can create a large hole at the top of your bin, but be sure to cover it with cloth to discourage fruit flies. 
2. Elevate your bin at least 1 foot from the ground to allow ventilation. Many use stakes or sticks to elevate. 
3. Fill the bin about halfway with moist, shredded newspaper. Then, add a handful of soil from outside. 
4. Add your worms!
   • Typical Earthworms are NOT viable. Red Wigglers work best for this method!
   • Add about ½ pound of Red Wigglers per square foot of your bin. 
5. Find a location to store your worms: Choose a dark, cool place - many choose to store their worms in the basement or under the kitchen sink. 
6. Feed your worms kitchen scraps every 1-2 weeks. Worms benefit from the fewest disturbances possible, so try to let this be the only time you disturb them. Place the kitchen scraps under the paper scraps.
   • Yes: Fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds, small amounts of bread, paper, garden waste, pet hair, and grass clippings. 
   • No: Salty foods, acidic fruits, spicy foods, grease/oil, meat, dairy, and fermented products. 
7. Spray your bin with water if necessary.
   • Kitchen scraps often provide enough moisture, but if you cannot squeeze a drop or two of water out of a handful of the bedding, you should add water. 
8. Replace paper scraps as necessary to ensure kitchen scraps are always covered. 
9. As the worms consume the scraps, they will excrete dark castings - this is your compost! 
10. Once your bin is overwhelmingly full of castings, you can begin harvesting.
11. Many use the “Dump and Sort” method for this.
    • Simply dump your bin contents onto a tarp in a well-lit environment. 
      1. Separate your compost into small cone-shaped piles
      2. The worms will go to the bottom of each pile, avoiding the light. 
      3. Slowly scrape away the top layers of each pile, separating compost and organic materials into separate piles. 
      4. Eventually, you will be left with a pile of worms to start the process again!