Wormeries - and how to build your own

Worm composting (or vermicomposting) is the process of using worms to break down kitchen and garden waste, to create faster than normal composting. The worms produce castings, which are rich in nutrients. they also produce a concentrated liquid feed.

A wormery is a construction to house the worms and their food. Typically a wormery is an enclosed unit with several separate, but linked compartments. Wormeries ca an be built or handmade. They can be sited indoors or outside as they are odourless and hygienic.

Usually the uppermost compartment is topped with a simple degradable blanket to retain the heat and this must be kept moist. Examples include fibre matting, old newspapers, towels etc.

The worms used are Tiger worms (also known as Brandling worms or Redworms) which can be ordered through the post. You can order them from Wiggly Wigglers (opens in a new window) .

Maintaining your wormery

• Worms will eat almost anything that will decompose

• They should be fed primarily on kitchen scraps but they will process weeds and other garden waste

• Worms like variety - not too much of one thing! Its best to only put in small pieces

• Large quantities of citrus peel, seeds, onions, garlic, diseased material and meat and fish are best avoided

• Worms can be killed by overfeeding - don't add more waste until the previous addition has been composted

• Keep container covered to avoid fruit flies

• Don't allow the bin to get too hot or dry out

• In the Winter it should be brought into a garage/shed if possible or wrapped in bubble wrap. In the summer it should be placed in partial shade

• If the heap begins to smell (too wet), pull everything out, mix it well with brown material and return to the bin

• If the heap remains unchanged (too dry) pull everything out, water it, mix it with green material and return to the bin

• Ready compost may be stored in medium-sized sacks (30/40litre) in a cool, dry place

Building your own wormery

Materials 

• Recycled wood from old pallets (check that they are free from wood preservatives as they harm the worms)

• An old plastic standard sized bin

Building the bin

• Drill drainage holes around the base of a plastic dustbin, approx 5cm from the base, 25cm apart

• Drill a circle of air holes 5cm from the top of the bin

• Fill bin with 8-10cm layer of coarse sand or gravel

• On top of this place a circle of wood or polythene with holes drilled for drainage

• Add a 7-8cm layer of moistened bedding material, such as well rotted compost manure or leaf mould

• Place at least 100 worms in the bedding - brandling/tiger worms can be obtained from a mature compost heap, a working worm bin or they could be purchased

• Add a litre of chopped food to one side of the bin and cover this with a well soaked whole newspaper

• Replace the lid and leave undisturbed for at least two weeks for the worms to settle