How to Compost with Worms in Arizona

Composting with worms is a cost and environmentally friendly way to feed your garden.

In worm composting, a gardener utilizes red wiggler worms to produce organic compost for their garden. Worm composting creates nutrient-rich soil conditioners ideal for feeding plants. Since Arizona features a warm, dry climate worm composting is easily done, as the lack of humidity reduces the risk of mold and mildew growth.

Things You'll Need

• 10-gallon plastic bin
• Screwdriver or power drill
• Newspaper
• Cardboard
• Dead plants
• Compost
• Spray bottle
• Wooden spoon
• Red worms
• Scrap foods

Instructions

1. Drill 15 to 20 holes into the bottom of a 10-gallon plastic bin with a screwdriver or power drill, to help promote aeration for the worms. Fill with 7 cups of soil or sand.

2. Shred newspaper, with no gloss, cardboard, dead plants and compost and mix together in the bin. Add as much bedding to the bin to fill it up to the halfway mark.

3. Fill a spray bottle with cool water and liberally spray the bedding. Take a wooden spoon and mix the bedding to ensure all the materials are damp. The goal is to make the bedding damp, but not drenched.

4. Shake the bin to loosen the bedding. Do not allow the bedding to become compacted, as the worms need freedom of movement and able to dig deep into the bedding to help protect them from the intense Arizona heat.

5. Locate a red worm dealer within your area. If you do not have a worm dealer near you, you may purchase worms online. Worms are typically available sold by the pound and through mail orders.

6. Place your worms into the moist bedding. Spray the bedding and worms with water to maintain a high moisture level.

7. Feed the worms scrap food, such as fruits and vegetables. Other ideal food sources for the worms include rotten fruits and vegetables, stale breads, crackers and other natural food scraps. Do not feed worms toxic items such as feces and foods high in oils and fats. Worm compost is typically ready after 60 days of feeding.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray bedding and worms at least three times per day to maintain a high moisture level.

• Keep the bin in an area of the home or outdoors where the temperature rarely reaches 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Red worms thrive in temperatures from 55 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Never allow standing water within the bedding as excess water depletes oxygen levels and reduces the production of healthy compost.

References

• Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture: Composting with Red Wiggler Worms
• University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Worm Composting