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I never did a science project as child, but that hasn’t stopped me from venturing into vermiculture, or worm composting. I started this blog last week and at the time I was waiting for the mail to arrive with the worms I ordered to start the process (The Compost blog: The worms are in the mail). I ordered a pound of red wigglers.
When I placed the order I was wondering how the worms would be shipped and if the box would say something like: “live bait.” The box came only labeled with my name.
The worms arrived and in a nicely dented box thanks to the U.S. Postal Service. But, the worms seemed in tact, with only a few dying on the trip. Inside the box the worms were in a brown bag filled with dirt. I wasn’t certain how they would get shipped, but it seemed so obvious after they arrived that, duh, they would be in a bunch of dirt.
Prior to ordering the worms I built my compost bin.
Before adding the worms to the bin I added newspaper for bedding. The worms need a nice dark place to squirm around and they like stuff like shredded newspaper, shredded cardboard -- toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, boxes -- and also coconut husk, known as coir.
The bedding also needs some dirt -- not potting soil -- or sand and then it is all wetted down because worms need a moist environment. While I researched I kept reading that the bedding should be damp like a wrung-out sponge. So, I dampened the newspaper and added the worms.
I wasn’t sure if I had used too much water, not enough, too much paper, not enough. I was worried that I would kill off the worms before I even fed them. They survived the night. But, a rebellion had begun.
It seemed there were Anarchists among the lot because I found some worms outside the bin, on my floor, dead. Removing the lid I also found a bunch had gathered around the rim. What caused this revolt?
Well, I started adjusting the paper and water ratios. I took some paper out, put some back in, added water thinking it was not wet enough. And, still a few worms made it onto my floor by morning, while others amassed in the lid ready to bail.
I was having dreams about worms. I don’t want to know what Jung would say about this. And, I had dead worms on my hands, literally, as I picked them up to flush. Really, it was only a few, but ick! The majority kept to the bottom of the bin.
After giving them a few days to get settled in, I fed them. I gave them some banana peels, coffee grounds, a tea bag and egg shells. Then I started praying. Please eat this, and please don’t smell.
But the nightly uprising continued. After doing more research I came to the conclusion that I may have added a little too much paper and a little too much water in all my zeal. Again, I removed some of the paper, especially the stuff that was too wet and added in some that was a little dryer.
I also found through research that it’s not unusual for the worms to try to get out. And, one source said that when groups amass in the lid it might be due to the pH being too acidic. But this couldn’t be the reason since I’d only started this process.
Another source said putting a piece of moistened newspaper across the top of the bedding was a good idea. And, that is what I did. Once I added the top layer of newspaper none of the little guys have escaped.
So far I’ve fed them twice. I was concerned my banana peels would smell. A coworker asked me if the peels smelled-up the container, but not so far. To me it smells like damp newspaper and dirt. My banana peels are disappearing – I had a hard time finding where I first deposited my scraps.
Every time the worms are fed the food should go in a new location. And, for their second meal I shared some lettuce, banana peels and coffee grounds. I have their next meal planned and they will also enjoy some bread.
Taking a peek inside I was both intrigued at the progress and a little grossed out. There are worms squirming about in this bin, but they do incredible work at a fairly brisk pace. I hope I will have enough scraps to keep them occupied. I may have to cook more.
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