What you will need to get started

Choosing a bin
The very first step to getting started is to find a bin. This may sound daunting but worms are very adaptable you can purchase .  Worm composting bins or they can be made quite easily. For small scale worm composting, a small bin, about the size of a 10-18gallon tote( If possible use non clear one as worms prefer darkness ) , will suffice. A good rule of thumb to figure out how big a bin you will need is one pound of worms for each square foot . So for example let's say you have a 2 sq. foot bin  we  would recommend  2 lbs of worms for this bin to start .



Once you have decided what type of bin to use then you need to  decide on a location for the  bin. If room is lacking  under the sink or in a cabinet works  well( the worms like the darkness ). For a larger bin, a corner of the room, in a closet, in the basement, or under the bed are all good choices. You may be saying , but worms smell right ?? No not if  everything is going well .Worm bins do not smell unless something goes terribly wrong.



Now let's collect some  worm bedding. The worm bedding will be in a very simple sense the worms "home ". Unlike me there not so picky .Newspaper, paper egg cartons,cardboard , peat moss  and cereal boxes .  The bedding will be most effective if it is shredded. Newspaper and office paper can be shredded with a standard office shredder or by hand . All the other items will have to be ripped apart by hand. This will need to be moist , a good indicator that you have it moist just right  is if you can grip it and no water is dripping from it ( similar to a wet spounge )




The last step is to collect  some worm food. Again worms will eat about anything , at the end of this post there will be a list of some do's and don'ts as far as feeding )





Filling the Worm Composting Bin

We recommend that you let your bin get ready for the worms instead of just throwing them in the bin . Prepare your bin with the bedding , some small amount of food  ( be sure to keep it moist  Let this sit for a week or so before adding worms, if possible. Then add the worms . You will be amazed at how much this little bit of prep. will make a difference in the success of your worm farm .



Once everything is good and secure be sure to keep a dry layer of shredded newspaper or other bedding on the top of the bin . This helps regulate moisture and keeps worms down in the bin.



When you recognize chunks of food and goopy texture are gone, add more food and more bedding. Keep doing this until enough compost is created. Enough is as much as one would like, or the bin is full.



Worm food Do's and Don'ts

How much food for a pound of worms a week ? It is simple to figure out under ideal conditions a pound of red worms will eat about 3lbs of food . Always keep that in mind , it is easy to overfeed with all the excitement that these guys will bring to you .


Do Feed Worms:




Vegetable scraps

Fruit scraps and peels (mold/rot is fine)

Bread and grains

Teabags

Non-greasy leftovers

Coffee grounds (and filters)

Crushed egg shells

Napkins, paper towels

Don’t Feed



Don't overfeed citrus—should be no more than 1/5 of worm food

Meats, fish

Greasy foods

Dairy products

Twigs and branches

Dog/cat feces, cat litter