Horticulture News

DATE: November 26, 2007

HARDIN COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
201 Peterson Drive
Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701-9370

BY: Amy Aldenderfer
County Extension Agent for Horticulture

AS THE WORM TURNS HOW TO SET UP A VERMICOMPOSTER

It’s getting colder outside and the trek to the compost bin requires bundling in a coat and gloves. You want to keep composting kitchen wastes, but…
Try composting with earthworms. They don’t require expensive equipment. They don’t have to be let outside.  They can fit under the sink. And, if everything is working properly, they don’t have an odor.

Here are instructions and tips on composting with worms:

Select a container at least six inches deep. Since worms prefer dark conditions, lidded, opaque plastic containers are ideal. I use a 13 gallon plastic tub.

Wash the container thoroughly in warm, soapy water. Then drill ventilation and drainage holes in sides, bottom and lid. A quarter inch is the maximum diameter. If you drill smaller holes, just put in more of them. Two holes in the bottom is essential for drainage. Use a clear plastic saucers to catch any water that may seep out and water all your houseplants with it.

The next step is to shred paper for bedding. Recycle white copy paper from the office or junk mail by using a paper shredder. Newspaper also works well. Layer at least two inches of paper in the bottom.  The bedding should be kept damp but not wet. Mix in a cupful of potting soil to keep the worms' gizzards working properly, and moisten with a mist sprayer. Technically, you're supposed to maintain 75 percent humidity. I just feel the bedding every time I take off the lid. If the newspaper feels cool, it's damp enough. Keep some of the paper in reserve to layer about two inches on the top. This keeps the fruit flies and other critters from multiplying in the compost.

Red wigglers can be purchased from a garden supply store or bait shop. Buy two pounds of worms for seven square feet of surface area. I get mine by mail. Many gardening catalogues sell composting worms at a reasonable price.

All vegetable scraps are suitable for vermicomposting. Stale cereal, grits, oatmeal, cookies, pizza crust, coffee grounds and tea bags are also acceptable. No meat or dairy products should be placed in the vermicomposter. The list of unsuitable worm food includes oil, grease, and any kind of cheese.

When bin and bedding are ready, gently dump the worms into their new home. Then toss in food scraps and watch your leftovers turn to compost. Do not overfeed the worms. About one pound of food scraps per week for every pound of worms will keep them growing at a good pace.


If your worms try to escape, there’s something wrong. Are they too wet? Add more paper. Too dry? Spritz the paper with water until slightly damp. Can you see food? Add some more. Too many flying insects? Add two to three inches of dry paper to the top of the bin. When you add more food, make sure and bury it under the top layer of paper.

For more information, please contact the Hardin County Extension Office at 765-4121.

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