Turn Kitchen Scraps into Black Gold: Start Your Own Worm Bin to Vermicompost
Welcome to BLeaves Farms! Today, we’re diving into the world of vermicomposting – a sustainable, efficient, and eco-friendly way to manage organic waste and enrich your garden soil.
There comes a time in every homesteader’s life when they feel the call to start a worm bin. It’s almost a rite of passage, a step deeper into sustainable living. Our time came after learning about the art during Master Gardener training, and it did not disappoint. Vermicomposting has become an integral part of our gardening practice, and we’re excited to share this journey with you.
Vermicomposting uses worms to break down kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost, often referred to as “black gold,” providing an excellent natural fertilizer for your vegetables. Let’s explore the benefits of vermicomposting and guide you through creating and maintaining your first inexpensive starter worm bin. For those who would like to jump right in and purchase a top-rated commercially made bin, we will provide options at the end of this article.
For those who would like to read more about vermicomposting and composting in general, we recommend “Compost Science for Gardeners: Simple Methods for Nutrient Rich Soil (affiliate link)” by Robert Pavlis. The author also has a great Facebook group you can join called Garden Fundamentals. You can also discuss your vermicomposting journey and trouble shoot in our BLeaves Farms Homesteading Forum.
Benefits of Vermicomposting
Below is a list of some of the benefits of vermicomposting:
- Enriches Soil: Vermicompost is packed with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for plant growth. It also enhances soil structure, promotes aeration, and improves moisture retention.
- Reduces Waste: By recycling kitchen scraps, vermicomposting significantly reduces the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, thus minimizing methane emissions and helping the environment.
- Cost-Effective: Producing your own compost reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and soil conditioners, saving you money while promoting organic gardening.
- Encourages Microbial Activity: Vermicompost is teeming with beneficial microbes that help suppress plant diseases and support healthy root systems.
Materials Needed:
- A plastic bin with a lid (wood or metal can be used as well, but plastic is simple, cost effective and won’t rot)
- Bedding material (shredded newspaper, cardboard, coconut coir, or aged compost)
- Red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida) (affiliate link)
- Kitchen scraps (vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, etc.)
- A drill (for ventilation holes)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Choose Your Bin: Select a bin that’s appropriate for the amount of waste you generate. For a household of 2-4 people, a bin of about 10-20 gallons works well (these can be found at your local big box store like Lowes or Home Depot or on Amazon). Make sure the bin is not too deep, and ensure the bin is opaque and has a lid to maintain darkness and moisture. Rubbermade is a good option.
- Prepare the Bin:
- Drill several small holes in the sides and in the lid for ventilation.
- Drill several holes in the floor for drainage. Place a tray or shallow container under the bin to catch any liquid runoff.
- Add Bedding:
- Moisten the bedding material until it feels like a damp sponge.
- Fill the bin about one-third full with the damp bedding.
- Add Worms:
- Gently add your worms to the bin. A good starting quantity is about one pound of worms (affiliate link) for a typical household bin (this is roughly 1000 worms).
- Start Feeding:
- Add kitchen scraps by burying them under the bedding. Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods, as they can smell and attract pests. Avoid salty foods as well, as it can harm worms and may be toxic to plants.
- Feed the worms daily, a couple times a week, or once a week, adding small amounts of food at a time. Remove about an inch of bedding, add the food, and cover with the bedding.
- It is good to add a grit source, like ground up egg shells.
- Maintain Your Bin:
- Keep the bin in a cool, shaded area, between 50-85°F.
- Monitor moisture levels; the bedding should remain damp but not waterlogged.
- Turn the bedding occasionally to aerate the compost and check for proper decomposition.
- If your bin gets smelly, drain the extra moisture, which is called leachate. You can pour this into your garden, or use it to hydrate the bedding in your bin if it is getting dry.
Harvesting and Using Vermicompost
Follow the steps below to harvest and utilize your black gold in your garden:
- Harvesting:
- After about 3-6 months, the compost should be ready. To harvest, move the contents to one side of the bin and add fresh bedding and food to the other side. The worms will migrate to the new food source, making it easier to collect the finished compost.
- Using Vermicompost:
- Mix vermicompost with soil or as a top dressing for existing plants.
- Create a compost tea by soaking vermicompost in water and using it as a liquid fertilizer for your plants.
Top-Rated Commercial Vermicomposting Bins
For those who prefer a ready-made solution, here are some top-rated commercial vermicomposting bins available online:
- Worm Factory 360 (affiliate link)
- This multi-tray system allows for easy separation of compost and worms, and it comes with a comprehensive manual.
- VermiHut Plus 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin (affiliate link)
- This compact bin includes a built-in worm tea collector and moisture control.
- Worm Nerd Worm Composting Bin (affiliate link)
- This 4-tray worm bin includes a coco coir brick, and step-by-step guide, and can be used indoors or outdoors.
If you don’t have months to wait for your vermicompost, you can also buy pure worm casting organic fertilizer (affiliate link). This is pure worm castings and does not contain any uneaten worm bedding.
Conclusion
Vermicomposting is a fantastic way to turn kitchen waste into garden gold. Whether you build your own bin or opt for a commercial one, the benefits to your garden and the environment are undeniable. Start your vermicomposting journey today and watch your garden flourish with healthy, vibrant vegetables! Our farmer’s market includes all the recommended products in this article.
Happy vermicomposting from all of us at BLeaves Farms!
