#vermi composting

We've got worms! Vermicomposting/Worm Bins 101 (a.k.a. How to gross out your colleagues and friends.):

Step 1: Get some worms! Okay, that's step 2. First, get your worms' home ready to go before they arrive. Get 2 large Rubbermaid bins (10-15 gallon). Drill (1/8" drill bit) a healthy amount of holes in each one. We were picking up blue plastic squiggles for days. Do it somewhere you can SWEEP. Place one inside the other with a small box to elevate one from the other. Place one bin lid on the floor below the bins and the other will go on top. Make sure to drill plenty of holes in your top lid. Shred a lot of newspaper (not the shiny magazine kind), dampen it, wring it out and line the bottom of the bin. We keep our bin in the basement. It's cool and dark and we don't have to worry about any smells coming from the bin. For the most part, it doesn't really stink, so if you have to keep it in your kitchen just make sure pets or children can't get into it. Otherwise, it shouldn't be a problem. 

Step 2: Your worms arrive! We bought 1000 red wigglers from Jim's Worm Farm. Your colleagues are thoroughly disgusted and think you're weird for doing such a thing (shipping the worms to your office). You secretly love that this grosses them out. Everyone knows the "D" in DIY stands for DIRTY. Your worms will be pretty thirsty when they arrive, and about 1/4 their normal size. That's because of shipping. Follow the WORM ADVISORY directions enclosed. Give them a nice drink of water. Introduce them to their new home and cover them with the damp newspaper.

Step 3: Feed your worms. Worms love all sorts of food scraps, from ground eggshells and coffee grinds, to fruits and vegetables or garlic skins and banana peels.  DO NOT put cheese, meat or citrus fruits in your bin. We put a small bucket next to our prep area in the kitchen and feed the worms every few days. Make sure to disperse the food around the side of the bin and cover with the dampened newspaper. The worms will find it. Keep the bin moist, but not wet. 

Step 4: Harvest the poop! In a few months, you'll be ready to harvest healthy compost for your garden. The paper and food will gradually be replaced with "dirt" or compost (worm poop). Repeat!