The problem started when my husband and I left town for a 1 week trip to Atlanta to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and her family. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to tend to my crops for a week, I had to plan carefully. It broke my heart that I had to give away a full tray of wheatgrass before I left because it wasn't yet mature enough to harvest! It also meant that I had to postpone some of my gardening projects until I came home from my trip.
I'm happy to say that the moment I got back, I got busy with at least 3 projects on the go and I can't wait for them to get far enough along that I can share them with you! So, while I wait for those projects to "Grow my Goodness!" I've come up with another idea - indoor worm composting!
It sounds disgusting, I know... but my garden and composter are too far away from the back door to make regular trips out there, trudging through the deep snow, which I know is on its way. Then I remembered reading in Dr. Ann Wigmore's book, "The Wheatgrass Book", that she used a system of bins that she used for worm composting - or vermicomposting. I am not as brave as Dr. Wigmore, who suggests keeping one of these large bins - worms and all - inside your house! I am brave enough to put one inside my garage though, nice and close to the door so that it's handy to get at.
What you'll need:
- A compost container or bin
- Bedding
- Worm food
- Worms
Making the Compost Bin:
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| Perkin always has to steal the show! |
Tip: you have to press down with the drill in order for it to "bite" into the plastic, but if you press too hard you risk cracking the plastic! Drilling smaller pilot holes first "might" solve the problem.
The container should be in a protected area and out of direct sunlight. It should be raised off the ground to allow for airflow underneath it. Most importantly, it should be easily accessible so that you want to use it! I have it propped up on a few bricks in my garage, next to the door.
Moisture will leak out of the bottom holes, so it is a good idea to put some sort of tray below the bin - like a boot tray.
Bedding:
Composting worms need food and a home to live in. The "bedding" provides both, but it needs to have the right moisture content - like a wrung out sponge. Bedding materials include shredded cardboard, shredded newspaper, used napkins and paper towels, old straw, leaves or even your torn up wheatgrass mats. To obtain the correct moisture, layer a couple inches of bedding with kitchen scraps and let it sit for a week or so before obtaining and adding the worms.
Worms LOVE to eat the following items:
- fruit and vegetable peels and scraps,
- starches - potatoes, rice, pasta,
- egg shells (broken up),
- coffee grounds,
- tea bags
- paper napkins, paper towels, shredded newspaper, shredded cardboard,
- broken up wheatgrass mats
- human or animal waste
- dairy or meat
- oils and grease
- anything inorganic or non-biodegradable
- toxic items
The most common worms used are Red Wigglers, which are easily obtainable at bait and tackle shops or at a pet store or aquarium shop. Red Wigglers are NOT the same as the common earth worm, which lives in soil, rather they live in rich organic material and are better suited to warm temperatures - like inside a compost bin.
Red Wigglers can process up to its own weight in waste each day. The worm castings provide rich nutrients to your garden and potting soil.
The vermicompost should be ready for use in about 3 to 6 months. I'll report back in the spring and let you know how it worked out - particularly how how I'm going to get those worms out of the compost so I can re-use them!
Wish me luck!
