Quick And Easy Way To Set Up And Maintain Your Worm Composting Bin

The Importance Of Worm Composting Bin 

A worm composting bin, also known as a vermicomposter, is inexpensive and easy to maintain. You can even place it outdoors or indoors. They come in several different levels. Since there are fewer worms to deal with using this system, it saves a significant amount of time during compost collection so it is a definite trade-off. However, there are several quality worm bins on the market, and each has its benefits and drawbacks. Or you can also make your own worm bins by taking advantage of the natural earthworms in your soil by building earthworm boxes.

Furthermore, worm composting is an easy way to provide juicy, rich soil for your plants and reduce landfill pollution, and provide juicy, rich soil for your plants. Moreover, composting with worms produces a product called vermicompost, which contains beneficial soil micro-organisms. Indeed, it harnesses the power of worms to break down organic matter quickly. Hence, having a worm bin makes good sense. Worms can convert most kitchen scraps to finished compost in less than two weeks. In addition to that, you will get better results than with any commercial fertilizer.

Several Types Of Worm Composting Bin

1. Bottomless Bin

It is a type of vermicomposting system, which is used for building earthworm boxes. At the same time, you can also use bamboo, plastic containers, or wooden boxes. However, do not use containers made of metal, that leach into the soil and increase mineral concentrations.

2. Single Layer Bin

This type of worm bin is the most common. However, you can also place an additional layer so the worms move to the next layer when they are done with the first.

Setting Up Your Worm Compost Bin

1. Consider what worms need to live

If your bin provides what worms need, then it will be successful. Remember, worms need moisture, air, food, darkness, and warm temperatures. Worms can live for about one year in the worm bin. The best types of worms for vermicomposting are redworms and red wigglers. These two species make great worms for the compost bin because they are very easy to keep and they prefer a compost environment to plain soil.

2. Prepare your bedding material

Bedding, made of newspaper strips or leaves, will hold moisture and contain air spaces essential to worms. Maintain high levels of bedding for added protection from extreme temperatures.

3. Proper location for your bin

Locate your worm bin in a place where the air temperature is between 50° to 80°. It is best to put the bin in a shady spot outdoors during summer. However, in cooler temperatures, the worms will work much more slowly and you may need to decrease the number of food scraps that you add each week. If you want to keep the volume up, find a warmer location.

4. Feeding the worms

You can collect waste disposals, such as fruit scraps, vegetables, tea bags, and coffee grounds in your food scrap container as you prepare and clean up after meals. Yet never include any animal by-products. Take note, only add more food to the worm bin once the food you previously added has been consumed. The worms multiply quickly, so you will gradually have enough worms to handle larger amounts of kitchen scraps. Also, feed the worms in different areas of the bin each time. This prevents the worm population from growing too concentrated in one particular area.

5. Maintaining the bin

Once every few months, scoop the liquid out of the lower container. If you notice the smell of anaerobic decomposition, ammonia is taking place in the bin. It only means that the environment is too wet, and your soil may even be waterlogged, which can result in your worms dying. It is best to drain that bottom bin, then add new dry bedding, and stir the contents of the bin to introduce more oxygen.

Common Worm Compost Bin Problems

• A too wet or too dry worm compost bin: as much as possible add more drainage and air holes, and add more dry bedding when you add food. At the same time, dry bedding is not good for worms. Always ensure it is always moist. Sprinkle or spray with water if it appears or feels dry.

• Smelly compost bin: It would only create a terrible odor if you add too much to your bin. Make sure to only add as much food as the worms can eat at a given time.

• A moldy worm bin: Make sure that the bedding is well-ventilated and has enough moisture level to prevent a moldy worm bin.

• Worms are dying: There might be predators that consume the worms causing them to decline. Always check your bin for any possible entrance of the predators such as mice, birds, and frogs. Make sure to fix them.
• Too many flies in your bin: Ensure that your bin is well-covered to get rid of fruit flies.

Takeaways

There is no doubt that compost is an essential supplement you can give your garden. And worm composting is one simple way to add nutrient-rich humus to your lawn or garden that fuels plant growth and restores vitality to depleted soil. And you need to have an established worm composting bin for this to happen. It is essentially a self-contained ecosystem that will survive as long as you provide it with food. Having a vermicompost bin is a rewarding way to let nature work and become more involved in your environment. Indeed, it is easy to make and good for the environment.