The vermicompost project was started shortly before we came in and took it over. We have some set plans for moving forward with the project. This project helps get more people involved at the agroecology farm and more aware of what’s going on there. Organic compost helps restore more natural nutrients to the soil and will save the university money on having to buy compost every time the fields are replanted.
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When starting: compile a mixture of waste materials and bedding materials and let sit in a closed container for a week. The moist environment allows for microbes to colonize, and the proper environment for the worms. Put a layer of water-soaked bedding on the bottom and slowly add in vegetable scraps. Do not fill the entire first drawer with food scraps in the beginning of the project. Add a small amount of vegetable material and gritty material such as coffee grounds, egg shells, and cornmeal. Gradually increase until a fortified system is established.
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To maintain: Replace the food scraps and bedding as soon as the worms have eaten through all the material in the bin and replaced it with castings (composted soil). Be careful to keep the bin not too dry and not too wet. The compost should be stirred and/or refilled about once a week.
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To harvest the compost: Shine a bright light on the open bin. The worms will move to the bottom of the container, leaving the top layer(s) purely composted material. Remove this material using your hands, and replace it with a thin layer of bedding and vegetable material.
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If there is a strong odor, cut back on the amount of vegetable material and citrus scraps.
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In the right environment, the worms will get right to work and digest the kitchen scraps and bedding to create nutrient-dense, rich soil in 3-4 months. Over time, other creatures such as millipedes, pill bugs, and sowbugs will make their way into bin. This is normal and helps in composting the material quickly.
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Maintaining Your Bin
YES
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Worms: Not earthworms, but epigeic worms that are used to living in colonies and warmer temperatures. They also live in completely organic material as opposed to soil. The “red wrigglers” are also known as Eisenia fetida. It is recommended to have 1lb per square foot of space, but this author recommends doing about a third of the recommended size to allow the worms to reach the optimal population level on their own. We are looking to add about 3 pounds of worms to the vermicompost box.
Waste materials:
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Vegetable & fruit waste (citrus fruit should be added in moderation when using smaller bins)
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Starchy materials – bread, pasta, rice, potatoes – all in moderation
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Aged animal manures (careful with rabbit and poultry – need lots of bedding to balance)
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Shredded newspaper, used paper towels, cardboard (great idea to add these carbon rich materials at the same time you add any wet food waste)
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Egg shells (best if ground up and in moderation)
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Coffee grounds
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Tea bags
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NO
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Human/pet waste
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Non biodegradable materials
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Dairy/meat
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Oils/grease
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Harsh chemicals
Container: The wooden cabinet at the Agroecology Farm works as a container because it is dark and the cracks between the drawers allow for aeration. There are also multiple sections for the compost to build up and stack over time. Keep the cabinet under shade at all times.
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Bedding: a combination of different materials--conducive to a high-moisture level environment. So, cardboard is greatly recommended, and shredded newspaper and straw. Shredded dead leaves are good, but should be added along with better water-absorbing materials like cardboard.