Project Worm Farm: Vermicomposting

We're moving out of the kitchen (yes, I actually leave the kitchen!) and into the realm of one of many projects I am currently working on. I can hear you now, "This I have to see." Your wish is my command, oh faithful follower!

I am planning my garden plot for summer 2013 (it's so weird to write that number), and I wanted to include composting. Knowing nothing to very little about the process, I went on a hunt to find really inexpensive methods to compost. The interwebs is chock full of information from sales of crazy expensive boxes, instructions on how to make your own compost box, and everything in between. All of that seemed fine, except the cost was out of my budget.

Then, I found the answer: worm farm. Turns out, vermicomposting can be started for less than 20 bucks.

The adventure to turning my garbage into garden gold begins!

 I found two five gallon buckets at the local hardware store for around 2 dollars each, the lid cost extra because that's how they roll. One worm farmer shared that he can get these buckets from his local bakery for free, so I may call the downtown shop and see if they'd work out a free deal with me for future buckets.  But at 2ish dollars, seemed like a lot of costly extra steps.

It's raining outside, so this project is being completed indoors with a black lawn garbage bag used as a tarp. Genius! The beauty of being Queen of your castle is that no one says, "You're doing that in here?!" It's good to be the queen.

I'll be using a power tool! And, I own it! The hardware store carries the five gallon buckets in a variety of colors, and although I could have selected two of the same color, I liked this combination. The gray bucket is flipped over because I'm going to use it to sit on while I drill. Genius again!

I started out with a 3/16 drill bit (roar!), but I found that 1/8 seemed a more appropriate size because I don't want the worms falling through.

The idea is to make multiple holes in the bottom for drainage. Worms do not swim and this will ensure I don't drown them.

The other purpose for making so many holes is to collect the water waste, also known as worm tea, which is excellent for a super source of fertilized water.

Bottom holes drilled, a peek inside, and it looks like we've got good drainage here.

Next, drill some air holes in the upper part of the bucket. I'm going to create a pattern of upper and lower holes. Although the picture appears that the bucket is right side up, I am laying it down and working downward with the drill. Tilt your head to the right for the proper view.
HA! I can't believe you did it!

Yes, I'm legit. Nuff said. Oh look, the bucket stool!

Reaching the end of the air hole pattern and it was very quick.

Next, make long strips of newspaper. Do not use glossy print, it doesn't taste good to the worms. I get free paper delivered twice a week, how convenient is that?

Loosely add to the bucket, this is the start of a nest. With the loose fill, I filled half the bucket.

Add about a liter of dirt. I have a half bag of garden soil stored in my garage, but you could use any dirt. I'm giving my worms the royal treatment.

Add enough water to moisten. Note: the white bucket is resting inside the gray bucket so the water doesn't drain everywhere.

Wearing garden gloves, it's time to mix it up to ensure the strips of paper become damp.

To one side of the bucket, I am now adding food scraps that I have been collecting in a used freezer bag. This mix includes my used coffee grounds, the coffee filter, some wilted carrot, onion skins, celery ends, pretty much anything food related can be used for composting. There are few exceptions: no meat products, no bones, no dairy, no fatty items, and no citrus. Some people say that citrus in moderation is fine, but if in doubt, rule it out. I'm not chancing the loss of my precious worms. My precious.

In addition to food scraps (referred to as greens), I'm including some "browns". Browns are cardboard scraps such a shredded cereal boxes, the cardboard type of egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, etc.

Say hello to my little friends. I ran around town looking for bait and tackle shops, finally ending up at a really small mom and pop produce place not too far from me. They have several big signs on the outside of the shop: PRODUCE, DEER CORN, LIVE BAIT. They have nightcrawlers, minnows, crickets, and red worms. I am using red worms. Their containers are supposed to have 36 worms and bet your bottom dollar that I am counting every single one of them! You can buy a pound of "compost grade red worms" from the internet for about 35 bucks. Insanity? Yes. My compost worms only cost a couple of dollars and the purchase exchange was well worth the price of admission.

Owner: Someone's gonna do a helluva lot a fishin'.

Me: Actually, they're starters for my worm farm.

Owner: ....

It doesn't get any better than that!

Forty-one... forty-two... forty-three... I still have another container to count.

In case you were wondering. I was short 8 worms, but I think it'll work out.

Meet Mr. Wiggler. He's happy we aren't fishing today.

Tucked in with another layer of shredded news paper, a bit more water is add to moisten the new layer blanketing the worms.

Put a lid on it, Ethel! And, the project is complete. The benefit to this method is output of high quality castings (translated: worm poo), weather proof, as it can be moved when the weather is too hot or snow is on the ground, and it's fun.

If you try the project, remember to add new scraps of greens and browns at least once a week.

I've checked in on them a few times, they're smiling! So am I, little wormy buddies, so am I.