Worm Bin Update

Welcome Autumn!




We started our worm bin about a year and a half ago
with worms purchased online
and a few everyday items.
 You can read about that here.

It was time (past time, really), to refresh the bin

and see what kind of garden tidbits we had collected.

Using a bowl and a bit of patience,

the worms were picked out individually and placed in a clean container.

The original bin was then hosed out (after removing the shredded paper),
and refilled with a layer of paper from our stockpile.
(Friends were happy to donate to the cause.)
I added extra paper this time, 
in hopes that the worms will stay on the paper,
instead of milling around in the castings on the bottom.

 The shredded paper is kept right next to the wormery,
so that I can add more when needed.
The clear bin on the bottom catches any liquid that may drain out.

 A spray bottle containing water is kept on top,
so that the paper can be moistened if needed.
The worms like a humid, dark environment,
so we accommodate them as best we can.
Considering the increase in their population,
I'd say they are quite content in there.

We were able to accumulate almost a full
5-gallon bucketful of castings.
These will be added to the new fall beds we create,
to amend the soil.
We will also add coffee grounds, eggshells and leaf mulch
to each planting area.
All of these materials break down and feed the soil,
so that plants have the nutrition they need to thrive.

The worm bin is a great family or homeschooling project.
It's relatively inexpensive
and serves as a wonderful way to dispose of vegetable scraps, 
coffee grounds, tea bags and shredded paper.
Anytime we can eliminate adding to the landfill, we are glad.