Vermiculture Part 1

Worms and kitchen scraps can produce compost for your houseplants and outdoor gardens. This is the first of two articles on this topic. The series will conclude next week. The Activity: Setting up a vermiculture system for year round composting. Why: Vermiculture or the cultivation of worms, is a great way to reuse food scraps and produce a great soil amendment. Worm castings (worm waste) contain higher levels of nitrogen than most other organic amendments. Worms are natural soil builders and vermicomposting is a clean and efficient method to recycle otherwise wasted food. This activity reduces the volume added to the landfill. It requires little space, and equipment. Children will be amazed at how quickly the worms work. Best of all, winter is a great time to get started on this project as it is an indoor gardening project.

How: The principles are not much different from composting outside, but are modified to fit the indoor environment. Start by determining where in your home the vermicompost bin will be placed. The environment should have a temperature range of 5577 degrees F. Temperatures below 50 degrees will slow down the worm processing activities. Temperatures above 84 degrees inside the worm bin may be harmful or fatal to worms. A basement, heated garage, storage closet, or little used bathroom may be good choices. Its a good idea to have a water source nearby to keep the moisture content of the bin even, by either adding needed water, or eliminating extra liquid as the food scrapes are processed. The liquid waste produced by the worms is called compost tea and is a good additive for plants. Ventilation, moisture, and balanced acidity are key to maintaining the bin and will be discussed further in next weeks article.
Worms are natural soil builders. Photo by F. Bogardus

To get started you need a bin, bedding, water, worms, and food for the worms. An opaque physical structure such as a bin or container is needed to house the worms. This bin may be homemade or purchased. The size will depend on how much kitchen scraps are generated in a week. A box measuring 1 ft. x 3 ft. x 2 ft. with about 1,000 active worms can process about 6 quart baggies of non-greasy food waste per week. This would probably be a good size for a family of 4-6 people to start with. The worms will adapt to their living conditions, so there is no need for great precision when planning your box.

Containers can be made out of plastic storage bins, wood, or metal tubs or pots or similar items that you have available. Do not reuse containers that have stored toxic substances. Cardboard boxes will disintegrate with the constant moisture so are not appropriate. If you decide to build your own bins make sure that your plan includes some ventilation, and drainage features. This can be accomplished by simply drilling holes in the top for ventilation and one hole, low down on one side for drainage. The drainage hole will need a removable plug. Purchased worm bins are Homemade bins work well! Photo by J. Markley usually made of plastic and are designed with screens for harvesting, and drainage holes with spigots for draining off compost tea. For more information on building a cheap and easy worm bin visit: http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/easywormbin.htm. Worms are very sensitive to light and need to be kept in the dark, which is why an opaque container is recommended. Bedding will also provide a place for the worms to hide in darkness and keep moist. Once the bin for the worms is constructed and the bedding is prepared, it is time to add the worms. Worms can be ordered off the internet or purchased locally at garden centers. For a family of four, start with 1,000 worms, which is about 1 lb. Red worms also known as red wigglers or red hybrids, are best suited to worm bins. Their scientific names are Lumbricus rebellious, and Eugenia fetid. They produce a large amount of compost and do better in a confined space.
Store bought bins are often stackable and expandable. Photo by J. Markley

The worms that are found in outdoor soil such as night crawlers, have different characteristics, and are not recommended.

When: This project can be started whenever you wish. Once established, the worms only require weekly, not daily, attention. Whats Needed: Purchased worm bin or homemade bin with a lid, which may require drilling holes and a stopper for the drainage hole. To learn more about vermicomposting visit: http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/vermicompost107.shtml . Next week this column will focus on how to set up and maintain your vermiculture system. When you have questions, CSU has research based answers. Get answers to your horticultural questions by calling the Master Gardener Volunteer Help Desk at 520-7684 or

emailing CSUmg2@elpasoco.com. Visit: http://elpasoco.colostate.edu/hort/hort-bloom.shtml for other articles written by Colorado Master Gardeners.