Vermicomposting

[jpccusa]

I thought many here would like to learn about vermicomposting (recycling vegetable waste with earthworms).
It is quite fun, eco-friendly, odorless, and requires almost no maintenance. You can even keep their bin inside your closet.

I guess the pictures are self explanatory, but feel free to ask questions about the process.

Ventilation holes on the lid of the bin. A dark bin is essential. I made hole on the bottom of the bin as well so excess liquid can drain.


Ventilation holes also on the sides of the bin.


I started the bin with cardboard, but I added newspaper and shredded office documents later on.

I suggest you to start the bin (with food) 2 weeks prior to adding the worms, so the decomposition process would have started by then.

Add a handful of soil to the bin. This will provide the worms with the tiny stones they require to break down the food.

For more info, read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermicompost

 

[Eriathiel]

Interesting - now you said you add a hole at the bottom for a little drain - what do you have it draining into?

Not something I really think I would do inside - we have a compost pile ouside though.

 

[jpccusa]

There are 5 wholes in the bottom that have two purposes.
1- Drain excess liquid
2- Be used as passage from older bin to new bin (when the bin is ready to be harvested, setup a new bin w/ bedding and food. Place it on top of the older bin's bedding. The majority of worms will migrate to the new bin searching for food).

I purchased 2 bins, but drilled holes on the lid of only one. The second lid I use to catch the drainage (very little if any).