DIY Two Layer Worm Bin
Creating a DIY two-layer worm bin is a great way to compost kitchen scraps and produce nutrient-rich worm castings for your garden. Here’s a guide to making your own worm bin.
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Materials needed:
1. Two plastic storage bins with one lid
2. Drill with a 1/8-inch & 3/8-inch drill bits
3. Cardboard liner
4. Bricks or blocks for elevation
5. Worm bedding materials (shredded newspaper, cardboard, Coconut coir
6. Red wormsEisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei
7. Catch tray
Instructions:
1. Start by drilling multiple small holes in the bottom of one of the storage bins for drainage and aeration. Space the holes evenly across the bottom.
2. Next, drill several holes around the upper edges of the same bin for ventilation. These holes will allow air to flow into the bin.
3. Place the bin with holes inside the second bin without holes. This will serve as the bottom layer of your worm bin. Drill one 1/8” hole through the stacked bins for drainage either on the bottom if it’s a raised bin or on the side.
4. Elevate the bottom of your bins slightly by using bricks or blocks to allow excess moisture to drain freely in a catch tray.
5. Cut a piece of cardboard or landscape fabric to fit inside the bottom bin. This will prevent worms and bedding material from falling through the drainage holes.
6. Prepare bedding material by moistening shredded newspaper, cardboard, or coconut coir until it’s damp but not soaking wet.
7. Add the bedding material to the bottom bin until it’s about halfway full.
8. Introduce your red worms to the bedding material. Start with a small amount and allow them to burrow into the bedding.
9. Place kitchen scraps on top of the bedding material. Avoid adding meat, dairy, oily foods, and citrus fruits as they can attract pests or harm the worms.
10. Cover the kitchen scraps with additional bedding material to help control odor and discourage pests.
11. Place the lid on the stacked bins to keep pests out and maintain moisture levels.
12. As the worms consume the food and bedding, add more scraps and bedding material as needed. Over time, the worms will produce nutrient-rich castings that can be harvested and used as fertilizer for your plants.
Remember to monitor the moisture levels and adjust bedding material as needed to keep the worms happy and healthy. Enjoy your DIY two-layer worm bin and the benefits of vermicomposting!
