Preparing the Worm Bin
Preparing the worm bin is important to the success or failure of your vermicomposting (composting with worms). Basically what you need to do is mimic the environment that the worms would be in naturally. Think about their homes, as it were. They live in the ground yes, but where I tend to find the most worms is in places where there are a lot of damp, decomposing leaves. So this is the environment we need to supply for our worms.
The bedding material can be a variety of things. Leaves, grass, shredded newspaper, Coir Worm Bedding
, etc. I take one, two or even three of those different items, dampen it well, and line the worm bin with it. This gives the worms a place where they can get adjusted to their new home. Now when I say dampen, I mean just that. Imagine a washcloth that you have just wrung out - that's dampened.
Add approximately 8 inches of bedding material. When you first introduce your Red Wiggler Worms
(also known as red earthworms), they will burrow down into the bedding prior to consuming it. Once they have worked their way down, you can add kitchen scraps, and cover them with more bedding. Just about anything that came from the earth you can return to the earth including earth itself. Since worms live in the ground, it would be wise to add some top soil or composted manure to your worm bin so your worms will feel "at home".
Keep your worm bin in temperatures roughly between 55 degrees and 75 degrees.
If your worm bin is large enough, try to work one side at a time. In about 3-4 months, add fresh bedding to the empty side. It will take the worms about a month to move over to the fresh bedding and you will be able to retrieve and use the compost on the first side.
Here is a pre-made worm bin for you Worm Chalet
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The bedding material can be a variety of things. Leaves, grass, shredded newspaper, Coir Worm Bedding
Add approximately 8 inches of bedding material. When you first introduce your Red Wiggler Worms
Keep your worm bin in temperatures roughly between 55 degrees and 75 degrees.
If your worm bin is large enough, try to work one side at a time. In about 3-4 months, add fresh bedding to the empty side. It will take the worms about a month to move over to the fresh bedding and you will be able to retrieve and use the compost on the first side.
Here is a pre-made worm bin for you Worm Chalet
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