Guide to Building a Worm Bed: Composting from Home

Composting is an eco-friendly way to turn kitchen scraps into rich soil for your garden. One of the easiest and most efficient methods of composting is vermicomposting, or using worms to break down organic waste. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to build a worm bed, maintain the environment, and ensure your worms thrive. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, this comprehensive guide will help you get started on your journey to sustainable gardening.

1. Building the Worm Bed Frame

To start, you will need to create a sturdy frame for your worm bed. Here’s how to do it:

Begin by building the bottom of your worm bed.

Take two 24-inch (60-cm) boards and stand each one upright, resting on its longest side. This will form the side of the base of your worm bed.

Now, you will need to attach two 6-inch (15-cm) boards to these two 24-inch (60-cm) boards. Stand one of the shorter boards on one of the sides, forming a corner. Press the other shorter board against it, creating a 90-degree corner.

Hammer a nail into the plywood at approximately 4-inch (10-cm) intervals to secure the boards together.

Repeat the process with the other side to form the base of your worm bed.

Once completed, you will have a bottom with two narrow sides. This forms the base of your worm bed.

Finally, attach the other two 6-inch (15-cm) boards to the ends of the 24-inch (60-cm) boards to complete the frame. You should now have a lidless plywood box frame for your worm bed.

2. Lining the Frame

Turn the box upside down and drill at least 10 holes into the bottom board. These holes will help with drainage and provide air circulation to the worms.

Cut a piece of black mesh fabric to cover the inside of the bottom board. This mesh will help prevent the worms from escaping while allowing them to breathe.

Place the mesh fabric inside against the bottom board, covering the holes. Staple the fabric to the board along the perimeter, ensuring it covers the entire bottom.

Turn the box right-side up again.

Cut or tear newspaper into 1-inch (2.5-cm) strips and place them in the worm bed box.

Spray the bedding with water to moisten it, aiming for a damp but not dripping state. The ideal moisture content for your worm bin bedding should be around 80%.

Add some dirt and peat moss to the bedding, allowing the worms to burrow and dig. This provides them with a balanced environment to thrive.

3. Adding the Worms

Select a dark area with a temperature between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 27 degrees Celsius). Worms can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) and as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).

Pile the fabric-lined lid on top of the box to block out light and contain the worms. This will also protect them from natural predators.

Place a light nearby to train the worms to stay in the dark, as they naturally dislike bright light.

Start feeding your worms with kitchen scraps. Two pounds (0.9 kg) of worms will consume about 1 pound (0.45 kg) of scraps each day.

Periodically, remove larger worms to control the size of the worm population. These worms can be used as fishing bait if desired.

By following these steps, you will have successfully created a worm bed and taken the first step towards sustainable gardening. Happy composting!