Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly and effective way to recycle kitchen scraps while producing nutrient-rich compost for your garden. This simple guide will walk you through the process of creating a homemade vermicomposter using a three-tote system, which is easy to assemble and maintain.
Materials Needed:
- Three durable plastic totes (Roughneck brand is a good choice for durability)
- One lid for the totes
- A cooler drain or similar drainage item
- A drill with a quarter-inch bit
- Bricks or blocks for elevating the system
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Prepare the Totes:
Begin by drilling quarter-inch holes at the bottom of two of the totes. These holes are essential for allowing worms to move between layers and for proper drainage. Additionally, drill several holes around the top edges of these totes to ensure adequate airflow, which is vital for the worms’ health.
2. Set Up the Drainage System:
The third tote will serve as your drainage collection base. Drill a hole in the bottom of this tote and install a cooler drain, placing it on the recessed side to direct excess moisture out. The liquid that drains out is known as « worm tea, » a potent, nutrient-dense liquid that can be used as a fertilizer for your plants.
3. Assemble the Vermicomposter:
Stack the two drilled totes on top of the drainage tote. The top tote will be the primary composting area where worms will work. Fill the top tote with bedding (such as shredded newspaper) and food scraps for the worms to start composting. The second tote serves as an additional composting layer, used once the top one becomes full.
4. Transfer the Worms:
Add your worms (red wigglers are ideal) to the top tote, along with their bedding and food scraps. As the worms consume the food and bedding, they will produce nutrient-rich worm castings, which is the finished compost. As this top layer fills up with castings, move it to the middle position and place a new layer of food scraps and bedding on top. The worms will migrate upward into the new layer, leaving the compost behind.
5. Maintenance and Harvesting:
Continue adding kitchen scraps to the new top layer. The worms will naturally migrate upwards towards the fresh food. When the bottom tote is full of worm castings and the worms have moved on, it’s time to harvest the compost. Simply remove the completed compost and use it to enrich your garden soil. Additionally, check the drainage tote regularly for worm tea and use it as a liquid fertilizer to boost your plants.
6. Elevate the System:
Elevating your vermicomposter using bricks or blocks helps improve drainage and makes it easier to access the system. The height allows the worm tea to flow out freely and also prevents moisture from accumulating at the bottom of the system.
Creating your own homemade vermicomposter is a straightforward, cost-effective, and rewarding way to recycle organic waste while enriching your garden soil. The three-tote system is easy to maintain, and as you become more familiar with the process, you can adjust it to better suit your needs. Happy composting, and enjoy the rich benefits of homemade organic fertilizer!