Start a Vermicomposting System
Do you have a lot of food scraps at home? Is your soil lacking fertility? Maybe it’s time to stop throwing your food scraps away. Red wiggler worms are ready and willing to turn your trash into rich, nutrient-dense vermicompost that is an excellent soil amendment!
Worm composting is a fun and easy way to transform your food waste into the best organic fertilizer nature can provide. Worm compost bins can be kept indoors or outdoors and are perfect for schools or for those living in small spaces.
You can make a bin out of wood or plastic or buy one. There are loads of instructions to make your own online. You can also check out our School Gardens page on our website for a DIY Worm Bin.
To learn how to have a successful vermicomposting system, we caught up with our resident Worm Wrangler, Angie Ouellette. Angie takes care of the large scale Vermicompost Bins at all of our School garden sites.
Here are her tips on keeping your worms happy and thriving!
- Keep them cool. Worms are just like us! They are quite content between 65 and 75 degrees.
- Don’t overfeed. 1 lb of worms can eat 1/2 lb of organic matter each day (that includes carbon and nitrogen sources) If you don’t want your bin to get smelly, wait to feed until they’ve consumed most of their last meal.
- Let let them breathe. Since worms breathe through their skin, proper moisture is important! Too much water or juice from fruit can create anaerobic conditions and make it hard for them to breathe. If it gets too dry worms also have a hard time breathing. If your bin seems too wet you can add dry paper scraps to soak up the extra moisture. If it seems too dry, you can add wet paper scraps. Good moisture in a bin can be tested by squeezing a handful of bedding, it should have the consistency of a wrung out sponge.
- Trust their guts. They will tell you if something is not right. If you open up your bin and it’s very smelly and/or you see worms all over the sides and the lid, something is not right. You may need to adjust the temperature, amount you’re feeding, or moisture level. Happy worms will be deep down, minding their own business, munching away turning your trash into treasure.
Happy Vermicomposting, everyone!
Emma Serr is an artist and a student studying Studio Art at SBCC. Emma has a background in art and customer service, having worked as a camp counselor at sewing camp and assistant for sewing events and classes, and display manager and cashier in previous positions, and was recently a nanny to several young children. Emma first found us as a customer who loved what Art From Scrap represents!
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent her last four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife. Veronica is very passionate about conservation and sustainable agricultural practices. Veronica has spent many summers working in environmental education at various zoos and museums and loves introducing kids to the plants and animals that coexist with us. In her free time, she likes to sit at the beach and read, take dance classes, roller skate, and walk around fancy neighborhoods to look at the houses.
Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them. Lu is thrilled to be teaching budding scientists about the Earth and why it’s important for us to protect and preserve the environment. 
Lydia
Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator, and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.
Ian Docktor
MELISSA BROOKS
Lindsay Johnson
