Vermicomposting - WORMS

Information from Annies.com, developed by The Center for Ecoliteracy

“Vermicomposting” — using worms to turn waste into compost — is perfect for small gardens and provides children a living example of how nature recycles organic matter. To set up a worm bin:

Use a box with a lid that is at least 2 feet deep and 3 feet long.

Using a hammer and nail or a drill, punch holes in the sides and top.

Fill it with soil, a colony of “red wiggler” worms (available online and at bait shops), and shredded newspaper.

Sprinkle with water so the newspaper is damp but not soggy. You can add coffee grounds and most organic waste, but avoid bread, cheeses, citrus, and woody material.

Keep your bin in a place that stays between 50ºF and 80ºF and out of direct sunlight.

Whenever you add waste, check the bin to make sure it is damp but not soggy. In 3–5 months, you will have compost.

Sort the worms from the compost, remove any organic matter that didn’t break down, add the compost to your garden, and start a new worm bin.