My grandparents' house sits on 3/4 of an acre, so I have very fond memories of farm-living as a child. Picking strawberries, digging potatoes, and eating grapes fresh off the vine, they also harvested corn, tomatoes, green peppers, green beans, lettuce, pumpkins, and several other fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Their way of composting worked for them, because of the size of their land and the plethora of crops that the compost could be used for.
However, due to the aroma and the space requirements associated with traditional compost piles, not everyone is able to go the traditional route. Some gardeners don't need acres of land, but would simply like to make compost to add to their tomato plants and herbs grown outside their apartment window. If this sounds like you, vermiculture, or 'worm composting' is the answer . The benefits of using worms to eat your decaying food scraps are many:
- It's inexpensive
- It doesn't take up much space
- It's basically odorless
- It's easy
- It doesn't harm the worms
- Your plants will love it!
When you are ready to begin composting there are a few supplies you should have so that your bins will be ready by the time your worms arrive:
- 2- 20 gallon plastic tubs
- 1- 10 gallon plastic tub
- 1 bag of gravel
- 1 roll of mesh weed cloth
- newspaper
- scissors
- 1 empty bucket
- 1 bag of topsoil or potting soil
- electric drill/drill bit (13/64-15/64)
- 4 bricks
- kitchen composting pail ($30 at Bed Bath & Beyond)
Now the first thing you will need to do is drill plenty of holes on the top, bottom, and, along the top 3-4" of the sides. It is important to have a tight-fitting lid and to drill plenty of holes. Don't worry about your worms escaping, with the right habitat in your bins they will begging not to be evicted! Once the holes are drilled with 3/32 - 7/64" drill-bits, it's time to put gravel in the bottom, about 4" worth. I like to use smaller pebbles but you can you whatever you like, as this is primarily just for drainage purposes.
You'll then want to cut a piece of weed cloth to fit inside each bin. This improves drainage and also acts as a buffer between your rocks and the bin contents. Your next layer will be top soil or potting soil, and you'll want to add a good amount for the worms to burrow into, approximately 6-8". The next step is to add shredded newspaper or some other type of bedding to your worm houses. I uses a paper shredder, but you can also cut the newspaper up with scissors. Once you have about a small wastebasket's worth of bedding, put it in a bucket with water. You'll want to wring out the newspaper until it feels like a moist sponge, then add it on top of the soil to provide moisture for your worms.
It's a good idea to cover your worms up with another 4" layer of soil or newspaper to tuck them in snugly. Don't feed your worms for at least two days, to allow them to settle in to their new home. Once your bins are all set up, sit them up on bricks to allow for better drainage, and put them somewhere they will not be in direct sunlight for any extended period of time. It's a good idea to keep bedding, soil, or mulch nearby to toss over your newly added food scraps. This will enclose the odor and also deter flies and other wildlife. Happy composting!