Worm Composting
Nature’s Recycler

Worm composting may sound a bit strange and uninviting but this method of composting has much to recommend it. Worm composting can turn kitchen scraps into “black gold” in about 60 days or less. It has the advantage that it can be done indoors as well as outdoors. In colder climates this offers year around composting possibilities.  Worm composting can even be done on a balcony or back porch and will provide enough rich compost to fill all your pots with some of the best soil available.  For those who are disabled or not able to carry yard waste and turn compost piles or bins, worm composting offers a great solution. It is particularly appropriate for using kitchen scraps.

You can purchase a worm bin commercially, but it is relatively simple to make your own. The size of your worm bin depends somewhat on the amount of waste material you generate. A general rule of thumb is that for every pound of waste generated per week you should provide 1 square foot of surface space for worm composting.  If the bin is too large space is wasted. Two smaller bins will increase the finished product significantly.

The easiest method of worm composting is to use a plastic bin with a tight fitting lid. Holes need to be drilled for drainage and holes or slits made near the top to provide air. Worms need to have a dark and damp place to live. Bedding needs to be about six inches deep and can be composed of any kind of material that will break down and decompose. Shredded paper or shredded leaves can be used but paper must be soaked before being used. Peat moss makes an ideal bedding, but you can also use sawdust, grass clippings, manure or a mixture of them.  Check often to make sure that the bedding is moist but not soggy.  . Remember that worms prefer a temperature between 50 to 70 degrees F.  If placed outside make sure that the bin is in a cool shady place.

The most important part of worm composting is the worms. Any kind of earthworm can create compost, but for much faster worm composting the red worm or red wrigglers, as they are called, are the most proficient. Although not as large as other earthworms they are more voracious eaters. Wrigglers can be purchased through many garden supply catalogs such as  Gardener's Supply Company or other sources online.
Worms can be purchased by number or by the pound. A pound would contain about a 1,000 worms. By watching how much they consume a day you can adjust the amount of scraps needed. Scraps should include vegetables, fruits and grains. Worms lay their eggs and reproduce quickly so that you may start out with a pound of worms and quickly add to your worm composting

Worm composting provides some of the most nutritious and rich soil available. Give your wrigglers a moist dark place to live, sufficient air and a capabilities well-balanced diet and they will perform their magic quickly.