Homemade Worm Bin

		NEWSLETTER			SUBSCRIBE
		DISCUSSIONS			CUSTOMER SERVICE
		VIDEO CENTER			Marketplace
		IN THIS ISSUE			Promotions

HOME	\|	GROWING A - Z	\|	OG SOLUTIONS	\|	LANDSCAPING	\|	COMPOST & SOIL	\|	ORGANIC LIVING

Weeds Pests Diseases Techniques

FREE Trial Issue!
	test

IN SEASON
	Visit OrganicGardening.com to sign up for our free weekly newsletters: In Season offers timely articles and projects, and Garden to Table delivers ideas and recipes for seasonal produce. Sign up now.

Gardening Events
	A state-by-state listing of gardening events in your area!

:: Home > OG Solutions > Techniques

Marketplace
	This is the classified ads section of the site. Happy Shopping!

Homemade Worm Bin

Linda Procopio, Elysburg, Pennsylvania


Related Articles

>	Worm Power
>	Worms & Garbage

Products
>	Worm Bin


Discussions
>	New Gardeners

I started vermicomposting (using worms to compost kitchen scraps) indoors to avoid trekking to the compost bin in winter. I made my own worm bin out of a plastic box. I use the worm castings ("worm poop") to top-dress my plants.

To make a worm bin, you'll need:

A 5-to-10-gallon opaque plastic storage box with lid

A hammer and large gauge nail

Large pieces of gravel

Heavy plastic sheeting, such as an old shower curtain, cut to fit the bottom of the box

Black-and-white newspaper (no colored inks), cut into wide strips

A scoop of garden soil, sand, or ground eggshells (to provide the grit worms need to digest food)

500 to 1,000 red wigglers (Eisenia foetida)* .

1. Punch 3 rows of of ventilation holes (spaced 1 inch apart) in the sides of the box 3 inches from the bottom, another at the center, and another 2 inches from the top of the box, using the hammer and nail. Put a single layer of gravel into the bottom of the box for drainage.

2. Poke rows of holes spaced 1 inch apart into the plastic sheeting. Put the plastic sheeting over the rocks to form a barrier between the drainage and bedding layers.

3. Soak the newspaper strips in water for 5 minutes; then wring them out until they feel like a damp sponge. Fluff up about half of the strips; mix in the soil, sand, or ground eggshells; and fill the box one-third full.

4. Sprinkle the worms evenly into the bedding. Add the remaining newspaper strips until the box is just over half full.

5. Put on the lid. Each week, add organic kitchen waste (such as vegetable peelings) to the bin and make sure the bedding is still moist.

Sources:

Order worms from Planet Natural; 800-289-6656

Or skip the hassle and order worm castings from Planet Natural, Garden's Alive, or Worm's Way.

Save up to 27%: subscribe to Organic Gardening...

PLUS get a free gift and a FREE book! Click here now.

CATEGORIES:	Home Growing A - Z OG Solutions Landscaping Compost & Soil Organic Living
SERVICES:	Discussions Magazine Subscriptions Gift Subscriptions Newsletter
HELP:	Customer Service Contact Us
CORPORATE:	Rodale Inc Advertising Your Privacy Rights
OTHER RODALE SITES:	Bicycling.com Runner's World Running Times Women's Health Mountain Bike Prevention Men's Health Rodale