Dana Ecelberger: The Stanford Inn Garden Fairy

Wherever you are, you are probably ready for the rain to end and the sun to shine. Here in Northern California we are getting a little of both, which is like rocket fuel for the plants we want and the plants we would rather not have! Now is the time to stay on top of the weed situation. If you have been composting, use some of that precious stuff to mulch (lay on top of the soil) your beds. This will serve the dual purpose of smothering the emerging weeds, and enriching the soil, getting it ready for all the great things you are going to plant. Earthworms will do the work of tilling it in for you!

This month I am going to tell you how to create your own worm bin. A worm bin is a great thing to have whether you live in the country or the city. Not only does it get rid of your kitchen scraps, it gives you rich, sweet smelling compost to use on your veggies and houseplants. And, it can provide your kids (and you) with hours of free entertainment.

My favorite variation on the classic worm bin is what I call the “Worm Theatre”. You can make one too by adding a piece of plexiglass on one side so that you can watch the worms at work and play (if you are using a wooden bin you can attach the plexiglass on the outside of the bin with screws, or use duct tape for the plastic bin.) Just be sure the window side does not get sun or light. You can cover it with black paper (I made a curtain to complete the theatre effect) to keep the light out.

Earthworms are indispensable to the health and fertility of soils all over the world. They are not slimy, don’t bite or sting and don’t carry diseases. They do not regenerate so don’t cut them. The worms we use for composting bins are called “red wrigglers” or, more correctly, members of the genus Eisenia or Lumbricus. You can find them by the pound online or at a fishing-tackle store. You will need two pounds of worms to every pound of kitchen scraps for the most efficient system. (2:1)

Your box can be as fancy or as rustic as you choose. A sturdy, deep drawer from the salvage store or your basement could be just the thing! Get your kids to paint the outside in bright colors. You can also use a large plastic lidded storage bin with small (1/4 inch) air holes drilled all over the bin.  Let’s get started. Don’t worry, it’s easy.

1. Once you have your bin of choice picked out, drill at least 50 small air holes all over the bin. Use a small drill bit because the holes need to be smaller than the worms so they don’t crawl out!
2. If you are using a drawer or some other wooden container, you need to make a lid. It needs to be the same width and length as your box. Plywood will work fine for this. You want it to fit snugly on top of the box. If you want to get really fancy, you can add flush hinges (the 2 inch size work well) and a handle. The hinges will go along the back and the handle will go on the top for ease of opening the box.
3. If you are putting in a viewing window, cut out the same size hole in your bin and attach the piece of plexiglass securely.
4. Now prepare the bedding for your worms. You know that huge stack of newspapers accumulating in your garage? Have I got a great way to get rid of it! Tear the uncolored pages into 1-inch wide strips. You will need a small mountain of them so keep ripping (This is a great way to keep the kids busy for a few minutes.) Fluff it up and water with a watering can or similar fan type sprayer, fluffing periodically to get an even dampness, until all the paper is damp but not dripping wet. Put this in your box, add 3-4 good handfuls of garden soil and mix well. The worms need the soil to help digest the food, so don’t skip this step. The bedding should fill the box.
5. Make a “nest” in the bedding and add your worms. Cover the box and let them get adjusted to their new home for 3-4 hours before starting to feed them. Make sure your box is off of the ground and out of the sun. You don’t want them to get too hot or too cold. I recommend putting the bin within easy distance of the kitchen so you can put your kitchen scraps in every day or two. A shady spot on top of a table would be great
6. Wrap your kitchen wastes in some newspaper (to keep fruit flies away) and bury it in the worm bin. It is good to put it in different areas each time so it doesn’t pile up in one spot. One trick my son taught me is to put the kitchen wastes in a newspaper lined bucket or Tupperware container in the refrigerator. This keeps the flies out of the kitchen too! You can feed the worms the first day you have them. A special treat is crushed eggshells once a week.

Voila! You are now the proud owner of a worm bin.

A few helpful hints:

• If it is still cold in your area, make sure you insulate your bin. You can use an old down sleeping bag, bubble wrap, or pipe insulation to keep them from freezing. Just be sure the air holes are open so they can breathe.
• Don’t let the bedding dry out or become too wet. Check periodically to see if you need to water. If it is too wet, add dry newspaper strips and nestle them down into the existing bedding.
• Don’t give your worms spicy, salty or acidic food. Bland is best, and smaller rather than large pieces. Think of them as babies.
• To use your compost, wait until about half of the bedding has been used (your box will be half empty). Push this half over to the side and add fresh bedding, soil and food. All the worms will move over to the new side in about a week and you can use your ready compost. I like to make a tea with it and water it on my houseplants and garden. The easiest way to make the tea is to put about 4 cups of compost in a large bucket with water and let it sit for 4 days. Stir it each day with a stick. On the fourth day, let the compost settle and scoop off the tea from the top. (A plastic, handled water jug cut to make a scoop works great for this.) Using your watering can, give all your plants a nutritious treat. You can also just use it as is by working the compost into the soil in your containers or garden.