How to Build A Worm Composting Bin
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Yesterday I attended a class about how to build your own worm composting bin at the Ecology Center. For a year now I have been dumping coffee grounds and eggshells into my garden to attract earthworms and to better the condition of my garden soil. It was time to take the next step.
Worms Eat My Garbage: 2nd Edition by Mary Applehof (Feb 5 2007) Chelsea GreenDid you know if 1 million people vermicomposted each year 82,000 tons of food waste could be turned into fertilizer instead of filling up our landfills? Worms can eat food scraps equivalent to their body weight each day and their castings turn into rich organic fertilizer that does wonders for your soil and the plants and vegetables that you have planted. Compost tea breaks down contamination and introduces healthy microbes into the soil and acts as a great natural fertilizer, pesticide and fungicides.
SUPPLIES
1. Plastic Container with Lid
To build a worm composting bin you need a large dark colored plastic container with a lid.
2. Drill
A drill to make holes in the bottom of your container for drainage
3. 1 brick / or heavy wood plank
That's to keep critters away from getting into your composting bin
4. Green Waste Material (provides nitrogen)
Citrus rinds, coffee grounds,, tea leaves, egg shells, lawn clippings, young leaves, fruit, veggies, manure (chicken, rabbit, horse), hair, feathers .
Do not add meat or dairy products!
5. Brown Waste Material (carbon)
Newspaper, telephone book paper, pine needles, chopped small wood pieces, fallen leaves, straw, corn stalks, egg cartons, cardboard
Do not add glossy magazine paper or hay!
6. Earthworms
It is recommended to use 1 lbs of earthworms for every square foot of bin space. For this large plastic container 1 lbs is enough.
7. Spray Bottle with water
DIRECTIONS
1. Turn your plastic bin upside down and drill holes for drainage.
2. FInd a shady spot in the backyard and place