Worm Composting Basics

Interested in turning your food scraps into compost? An easy way to do this is to start composting with worms.  Worm composting is also called  vermicomposting and offers many advantages. Done right, vermicomposting is clean, doesn't smell, doesn't take up a lot of space and doesn't cost a lot of money to get started.

Begin by selecting a container, such as this 5-gallon storage tote.

Worms don't like light, so the bin must be opaque and have a lid. Prepare the container by drilling a series of holes on the sides, bottom and the lid. This will allow the bin to "breathe" and drain properly.

Next, add 3" to 4" of bedding. You can use shredded newspaper, cardboard or coconut coir. The bedding needs to be soft. No sharp edges. Once you have the bedding ready, add water, then wring it out. It should be as wet as a damp sponge.

You're ready to add your worms. Buy red wiggler worms (Eisenia Foetida). They're the best for in home composting. Red wigglers can eat about half of their weight in food every day. This means if you start with a pound (16 ounces) of worms, you'll be able to feed them one half of a pound (8 ounces) of food scraps every day. A pound of worms is a lot of worms. You can start with a smaller amount and as your worms settle in, they will begin to reproduce and build up the population.

Red wiggler worm eggs (called cocoon) are smaller than a grain of rice and can be difficult to spot in your bin.  It takes about 23 days for a cocoon to hatch.

The newly hatched worms resemble white threads, but even at this stage, they're ready to go to work. You're ready to feed your worms. Start by burying some food scraps in the bedding.

Red wiggler worms will eat a variety of food, including fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, egg shells and tea bags. They love melon rinds! Don't feed your worms meat, kitchen oils or dairy products. Place your worm bin in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. Put the container inside of a tray or pan to catch any liquids that might drain out. 

Check on your worm bin regularly. If you catch the worms trying to escape, it means the bedding is to wet. Cut down on the food and crack the lid to let more air in.

In a short time, your worms will have transformed leftover table scraps into rich compost, which you can use to feed your houseplants or improve your garden soil.