How to Make a Worm Bin New in HD

How to Make a Worm Bin by Patti Moreno, the Garden Girl

A worm bin is a perfect solution for anybody with a small patio or garden. It also works well for condo dwellers where there are rules and regulations against composting. The worm castings (or worm poo) make the best natural fertilizer, and its power can be extended by brewing up worm tea to apply when watering all your plants. Not only is it great for your garden, but it will help reduce waste in landfills by getting your kitchen scraps to work for you and your edible landscape.

At home, I compost kitchen scraps, leaves, and other green matter. My neighbors bring me their leaves, and grass clippings even though Ive encouraged them to compost the materials for themselves. Then I convert the waste into energy. Goodbye, petrochemical poison. Hello, black gold.

There are lots of great products on the market to compost kitchen scraps indoors, from super sleek under the counter models to the basic DIY worm bin that I have. Worm bin you say? Why yes, I am a worm farmer and you can be, too.

Youll need a storage bin (not clear) with two lids, one for the top and one for the bottom to catch any fluid. Put 1/4inch holes on the bottom of the bin and along the lip to allow for airflow. Line the bottom with cardboard and fill with a thick layer of shredded newspaper and moisten with water, 1 quart of soil to help the composting process, and a pound of red wiggler worms. Place the bin in a dark area like a pantry or closet in a convenient place for you to access every time you cook. A properly aerated and balanced bin won't stink and if it does it needs more carbon rich material. Carbon rich material is usually brown matter, like leaves, hay, dog fur and less green, like kitchen scraps and the like. A powerful worm bin can digest its own weight in worms, in ideal conditions, every two days! The more worms, the more it can consume and turn into potent worm castings.

What can go in the Worm Bin: Kitchen Scraps Grass clippings, shredded leaves, pine needles, Wood ashes, Sawdust, Houseplant trimmings, hair, Shredded cardboard, shredded newspaper, Wooden toothpicks, Paper towels paper napkins, tissues, coffee grounds, Tea bags & grounds, cotton swabs, & Greeting card envelopes, any shredded up junk mail.

What not to Put in the Bin: Pieces of wood or large twigs unless chipped, dead plants, rocks, gravel, bricks, rubble, coal ash, oil, meat, fish, bones, cheeses, cooked or baked foods, or dairy waste.

Patti Moreno is host of GardenGirlTV.com, where youll find ideas, inspiration, and information about urban sustainable living. She lives with her husband, daughter, dog, rabbits, cats, and chickens in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• worm bin
• vermiculture
• kitchen scraps
• indoor compost

[Gaho2Many]

Do you add egg shells? I have been adding them and someone sai the worms can get sliced? I have never had a problem but statrd wondering if I was doing it wrong.

[nellene66]

Can the vulgar trolls go somewhere else....what is this Jr. High? Grow up....

[67kpg]

very cool :)

[velcrots]

damn, zoom out cameraman! you suck! all i see is face!

[SithSereyPheap1]

We can learn alot about ourselves and others just from observing plants and animal behaviour..

[SithSereyPheap1]

I'm so envious of the slimmy worms under your care and protection.Patti you're a true nurturer.They shall dwell in compfort under your watchful eyes the lucky lilttle red wigglers...

[SithSereyPheap1]

There's nothing sexier than a woman on her knees with a hand full of slimmy wiggly worms.An appreciation for life and god creation,it take inner beauty,patient and understanding.It's not something a self absorbed woman take interest in,it takes interest,tender care and selflessness to care for other living creatures.Patti you got a big heart,there's room in your heart for more than just yourself.Ignorant breed fear,understanding breed compassion and love for life however great and small.

[holliellen]

When and how do you get the compost out and isnt there some kind of worm juice that you have to drain off? Im new at this but I want to start one with my son. Thanks for all your videos its very informative!!

[v8diva]

Thank you very much for all of this info! You are a blessing and I'm sharing your videos with others. They thank you too!

[BigLongJon21]

i got a big worm for u hun lol!!!!