Build a Vermicompost Bin

Vermicomposting is the process of biodegradable organic matter being composted, or broken down into vermicompost by composting worms. In many ways vermicompost is much easier and better than traditional compost. Using vermicompost in the garden creates better tasting vegtables and healthier plants. It can also be used to prevent disease and is one of the best ways to improve soils.

Vermicompost can be used to condition and fertilize soil, and improving drainage. It works great for the lawn, garden, houseplants, or bonsai. Vermicompost is created in a bin which can be build using the directions on this site, or by purchasing one from the internet. The worms can be collected from manure or compost piles, but it is a lot easier to purchase the worms in bulk from the internet, this will ensure a fast and healthy start for your vermicompost bin.

Materials Needed to Build the Bin

Building the Vermicompost Bin

1. Drill 1/2" holes in the bottom of each bin, make sure to get all the low spots and make sure to have plenty of holes, if there is not enough drainage the bin retain too much water and the compost worms will drown. This lead to off odors.
(The bins should roughly match in size and shape, it works best when the bins can nest.)

2. Shred the bedding materials. This bedding mimics leaf litter that the compost worms are acustom too. Therefore it should a high carbon material that is loose and facilitates air circulation.

3. Fill the bottom bin half to three quarters full of bedding. Spray the bedding material and allow to soak up water.

4. Fluff the bedding material and add more water, repeat until the bedding is moist but not soggy, like a wrung out sponge. If the bedding is to compact the worms will sufficate so ensure it is fluffed up.

5. Add a layer of soil.

6. Place the tray on the floor in the bin location, place bricks in the tray, place the vermicompost bin on top of the bricks. This tray will collect the compost tea that drains from the bottom of the bin. This compost tea is created as the bin is watered and can be collected from the tray. This compost tea is very useful as a foliar fertilizer and pest control, or can be added to soil as a liquid fertilizer.

7. Add the compost worms to the top of the vermicompost bin, and leave the light on. The compost worms hate the light and this will drive the compost worms to dig into the bin.

Adding Organic Matter to the Bin

1. Imagine that the vermicompost bin is broken up into different sections. Start in one corner and dig a small hole down to the bedding.

2. Add your organic matter into this hole and cover with a small layer of soil.

3. Check the moisture level of the bin on occasion if the bin starts to dry out, sprinkle water over the top until the soil is throughly soaked through, but not full saturated. After watering the bin you can collect the compost tea from the collection tray. I use a turkey baster for this and the compost tea works great on my bonsai.

4. Once the first section is filled, moved to the next section. Continue to move from section to section until the bin is filled. Then add another bin to the setup.

Adding more bins to the Vermicompost Bin

1. Construct another bin similar to the first bin, by drilling holes in the bottom, then filling with bedding and covering with soil. This time less bedding can be used but I would still fill at least a quarter of the bin.

2. Set this bin on top of the first bin, so that it is rest on top of the soil of the first bin.

Harvesting the Vermicompost

By the time you finish filling up the top bin with organic matter, the worms should have had enough time to finish the organic matter and move out of the bottom bin. This means that the bottom bin can be removed and harvested.

1. Remove the bottom bin from the system, Top bin can now be placed on the bricks and a fresh bin can be started on top.

2. Quickly rake through the vermicompost in the removed bin, to see if there are still compost worms, bedding, or organic matter left in the bin. If there are you will either need a third bin for the vermicompost system, need a second or larger system, or reduce the amount you are adding to the bin. Unfinished bins need to be replaced into the vermicompost system and given more time for the compost worms to finish composting.

3. If the bin is clear of compost worms, bedding, and organic matter then the vermicompost can be removed and used like fresh compost. Sometimes it is helpful to screen the vermicompost with a soil sieve. The larger chunks of organic matter and remaining compost worms will should be removed from the finished vermicompost and added back into the active vermicompost bins.

Vermicompost Bin Locations

=> Never let the vermicompost bin freeze or the compost worms will die.

=> Keep the bin away from direct sunlight so you don't cook the compost worms, or create rotten odors.

=> Protect the bin from excessive water from rain, or keep the bin covered with a lid.

Tips and Tricks

=> Fine Grit or Sand can be added to the bin to help the worms digest the food.

=> Unpleasant smells = Too much Food, Too much Water, or Improper organic matter like dairy or meat.

=> Covering the organic matter also helps to minimize odors, a healthy bin shouldn't smell.

=> Cut back on food additions when the bin gets cold.