Projects: Vermiculture

Congratulations, you've got worms! But these aren't just any worms. They are composting worms. If properly cared for, worms can eat up to their own weight in food scraps a day. Worms are just like any other living thing, they need several things to survive: air, water, food, and a nice place to live and reproduce.

Worm Habitat

Worms live in the dirt. By taking a container and filling it with some dirt and a little sand you have the start of an indoor worm bin. Shredded newspaper makes a great worm bedding and is readily available. This is where the worms will get their water. Shred newspaper into 1/2 inch strips and then thoroughly moisten, it should be as wet as a wrung out sponge. It should not be too wet or it can drown the worms.

Always keep a 1-2 inch layer of moist shredded newspaper on top of the bedding. As well as keeping the worms moist this will prevent fruit flies. Worms live in the soil and therefore prefer the dark. Keeping a loose fitting lid on the bin will provide darkness and should allow enough air into the bin.

Feeding Worms

Worms will eat up to their own weight in food a day. At first, though, it is important to start off with less food until the population is established and begins to reproduce and grow. Daily: place about a handful of food under the layer of moist newspaper. Start in one corner, and as you add more food, work your way around the bin. Never place new food on top of old food.

Possible problems

• Smells: Stop adding food. Make sure bin is not too wet. Add more newspaper if needed.
• Fruit flies: Make sure food is covered by moist newspaper. Reduce amount of food.

More information

• Worm Composting
• Composting with worms
• or contact bobby@columbiaurbanag.org