When to Harvest a Small Bin in Red Worm Composting

Composting table scraps saves room in landfills.

Red worm composting turns leftovers and kitchen scraps into usable fertilizer quicker than traditional composting methods. Remove the worms' "castings," or worm manure, and add them to your flower and vegetable gardens.

Time Frame

You can harvest castings from a small worm bin about two to three months after setting up the bin, according to the University of Illinois Extension. The exact time frame will depend upon the size and number of worms in your bin, and how frequently you feed them.

Tips

Harvest the castings when the compost bedding seems to shrink down and the color turns darker. The University of Illinois Extension suggests harvesting compost at least once a year.

Instructions

Push the contents of the compost bin to one side, and place fresh soil and food on the other side. Wait until the worms migrate to the other side of the bin, and remove the older compost to your plants.

Warning

Too many castings in the compost bin are toxic and will decrease worm productivity. According to Washington State University, worms cannot tolerate the castings from other worms.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Worm Composting
• Washington State University: Composing with Redworms