Are you interested in learning how to compost with worms? If so, we’ve got good news for you! Worm composting is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. We’ve created a step-by-step guide below that will walk you through everything from obtaining your worms to creating the perfect soil for your worm bin. So Let’s Begin to know how to start worm composting.
It’s important to note that there are some preparations that need to be made before you can start composting with worms. First, you’ll need some sort of container for your worm bin. You can use an old coffee can or something similar, but make sure it’s sturdy enough to withstand the weight of your worms and any food scraps that they might bring home. Next, if you want to add any amendments like coffee grounds or leaves, make sure they are organic and free of pesticides. Finally, make sure that the materials used in your worm bin have no harmful chemicals or toxins that could potentially harm your worms’ health.
The first thing you need to know about worm composting is that it takes some work.
But don’t worry! We’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to get started.
So, let’s get into it!
Once you have worms, you’re ready to get started with a worm bin. Follow these six easy steps to set up your own worm farm!
1- Acquire a bin. Reuse an old dresser drawer or fish tank, build a box out of wood, or find/buy a plastic bin. The approximate size is 16″ x 24″ x 8″ or 10 gallons. Make sure the bin is clean by rinsing it with tap water to remove any residues that may be harmful to the worms. For wooden bins, line the bottom and sides with plastic (an old shower curtain or plastic garbage bag works well).
You can buy a worm bin here at Uncle Jim’s Worms Farm.
2-Soil is a good thing, but it’s not always the best option. You can use composting red worms instead of soil to make your own worm bin!
Worms are great for feeding themselves, so they’ll do all the work to keep your bin clean and healthy.
With the right bedding, composting red worms can live a happy life in your home. Here’s how to set up your bin:
- Prep the bedding. Instead of soil, composting red worms live in moist newspaper bedding. Like soil, newspaper strips provide air, water, and food for the worms.
- Using about 50 pages, tear newspaper into 1/2″ to 1″ strips. Avoid using colored print, which may be toxic to the worms.
- Place newspaper strips into a large plastic garbage bag or container. Add water until bedding feels like a damp sponge, moist but not dripping. Add dry strips if it gets too wet.
- Add the strips to the bin, making sure the bedding is fluffy (not packed down) to provide air for the worms. The bin should be 3/4 full of wet newspaper strips and 2-4 cups of soil in it—which introduces beneficial microorganisms—and gritty particles aid their digestive process as well! Potting soil or soil from outdoors is fine when it comes to adding that extra nutrition boost!
3- Before adding the worms, find out how many worms you are starting with. The easiest method is to weigh the worms. If you do not have access to a scale, determine the worms’ volume. The amount of worms is important for knowing how much food to feed them and for record keeping.
You can also use a tape measure or ruler to determine their length and width. Record this information in your worm journal so that if you ever need to get a new batch of food, you will know exactly how many worms you need.
Feeding worms is one of the easiest ways to make a difference in your garden. Worms are a great way to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich soil, so you can plant more plants and get more out of your space.
Worms are also pretty amazing: they eat food scraps, especially ones that would otherwise be thrown away, like peels and cores; they recycle nutrients; and they add additional benefits like beneficial bacteria and enzymes to your soil.
So how do you get started? Here are our top tips:
- Bury food scraps under the bedding in a bin. Feed worms fruit and vegetable scraps that would normally be thrown away, such as peels, rinds, cores, etc. Limit the amount of citrus fruits that you place in the bin. NO MEATS, BONES, OILS, OR DAIRY PRODUCTS.
- Cut or break food scraps into small pieces—the smaller, the better.
- Measure the amount of food that you’re feeding worms (it’s typically 3 times their weight per week), then monitor your bin every week to see if they’re eating it all! If not, adjust feeding levels accordingly.
So you’ve been keeping your bin of compost dry and free of fruit flies—and it’s been working great!
But what if you want to add some moisture? What if you want to get rid of any odors, or prevent fruit flies from making a home there?
Just place a full sheet of dry newspaper on top of your bedding. This will help maintain the moisture balance and keep any possible odors in the bin. It also prevents fruit flies from making a home in the bin. If fruit flies are present or if the bin gets too wet, replace this sheet frequently.
You’re almost done!
Now that you have your bin and lid, it’s time to set up your worm bin. The first thing you’ll want to do is cover the bin with a lid made of plastic, plywood, or cloth. Leave the lid ajar so the chest receives some air. If desired, you may drill holes into the container.
Place the bin away from windows and heaters. You can also place it on its side so it’s easier to access if needed.
To keep worms happy, feed them about once a week. If the bedding dries up, spray with water (if the bedding gets too wet, add dry newspaper strips). Fluff up bedding once a week so the worms get enough air.