First, they are expensive, costing upward of $100 or more in many retail outlets.
While they do work well, most gardeners would rather spend their money on plants.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Second, most commercial bins are also quite large, creating a space issue.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
The solution to both the financial and space issues is to make your own worm bin.
Red wigglers also thrive at standard indoor room temperatures, making them ideal for indoor vermicomposting.
This DIY vermicomposting bin is structured so that the worms start out with bedding and food on one level.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
you might harvest this “vermicompost tea” from the lowest bucket and use it to fertilize your plants.
This will provide aeration that will help break down the contents quickly.
Prepare the Lid
Drill a large number of 1/8-inch-diameter holes through the top of the lid.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
This, too, will provide added aeration that will help break down the contents quickly.
Add 3 to 4 inches of moistened shredded newspaper or cardboard to this bucket, then add the worms.
you’re free to also add some food scraps at this time.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Tip
Avoid putting animal materials (meat, eggs, etc.)
into a vermicomposting bin.
Add food as often as you need towhenever the contents have been mostly digested.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Vermicompost is a versatile material that makes a great soil amendment or mulch for virtually all plants.
Don’t let the contents get too wet.
Don’t let the contents dry out, either, as this is death for worms.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
The contents of the bin should just barely be moist, like a wrung-out sponge.
As the bottom bucket fills with liquid, this “compost tea” can be used to feed plants.
Empty the bucket often, as it can begin to smell if allowed to remain too long.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
For maxiumum composting capacity, maintain several three-bucket worm bins.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
