How to Build a Homemade Worm Box for Red Worms
Worm farming, also called vermiculture, is the process of using red worms to create compost fertilizer. The worms are fed organic material and food scraps, which they digest then excrete a nutrient-rich fertilizer for use in gardens or houseplant soil. The worm farms or boxes are easily made with household products; the only investment is purchasing red worms. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 5 to10 gallon plastic bin with cover
- Drill
- Gravel
- Plastic sheeting
- Black and white newspaper
- Soil
- Sand
- Egg shells
- 500 red worms (Eisenia foetida)
- Vegetable waste
Instructions
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Making a Worm Bin
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1
Drill 3 rows of ventilation holes that are one inch apart around the four sides of the bin. Make the first row three inches from the bottom, the second two inches from the top and the third row centered between the two existing rows.
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2
Cover the bottom of the bin with gravel in a single layer for drainage.
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3
Measure the size of the gravel bed and cut a piece of plastic sheeting to fit over the top. Poke holes into the plastic sheeting that are approximately 1 inch apart. Place the plastic sheeting over the gravel as a barrier between the gravel and bedding.
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4
Cut black and white newspaper into two- to three-inch strips and place in water for five minutes. Wring out the paper and fluff the strips. The newspaper should feel like a damp sponge.
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5
Mix a large scoop of garden soil, crushed egg shells, a cup of sand and half of the fluffed newspaper strips. Add this mixture to the bin, filling it a third full. This soil, sand and shells create grit for the worms.
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6
Add red worms to the bin and top with remaining fluffed newspaper strips. The box should be approximately half full when finished.
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7
Cover the container to keep light out. Add vegetable and organic waste to the bin once a week by placing it under the top layer of newspaper. Add moisture to the bedding to prevent drying out.
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1
Tips & Warnings
A hammer and nail will make ventilation holes in the bin if a drill is not available. Add coffee grounds or crushed egg shells periodically with the organic waste as it gives the worms grit to digest the other foods. Keep the worm box in a cool, dark location for optimal results.
Do not add too much organic waste to the bin, as it will rot and smell if the worms cannot consume it. Smell and visual food remains are a sign the worms do not need more waste to consume. Do not add meat products, fat or citrus as food sources for the worm box.
