The worms crawl in , the worms crawl out...

[wheelieterp]

I am going to start a small apartment worm box. I have been wanting to do this for a while and taking out my garbage tonight, I have decided that now is the time. I am wondering if any of you (and I am betting on a reply from adamantine1) have done this and have tips on how to build/maintain an indoor worm box.


I know, I know.. I live in an apartment with no garden.. Why on earth do I want to vermicompost and what will I do with the finnished product... To which I say: HELLO!!! WORMS!!! Worms that poop dirt!! HOW COOL IS THAT???!!!??? I'll figure out the dirt thing later...

I want worms... I will name them all... And talk to them.

Comments

[hugh-mannity.livejournal.com]

I had silkworms a couple of years ago. Completely different, but great fun. Hungry little monsters too.

Can't help you with earthworms though. No fiber content.

[adamantine1.livejournal.com]

Sure there is, if'n you chew them well. :}

[dodgingwndshlds.livejournal.com]

Ummm...ew.

[hugh-mannity.livejournal.com]

I should have anticipated that!

Anyway, how do you know? Worms aren't on the approved list of Vegan foods are they?

[adamantine1.livejournal.com]

One bet, won, dear.


Yep, we've done it.
Pretty simple really. The box, we made from plywood bits, three sides and a plexiglass front. The plexiglass was so my kids could take off a felt cover they'd made and have a peek at tunnels, but you could do all wood for the box if you wanted.

Doesn't have to be fancy at all, just sturdy.
The worms were redworms, Eisenia Foetida, from CT Valley Biological Supply. We bought a pint of them, and yes, they really did come in a Chinese take-out pint container. Put me off Chinese for a while.
The soil set-up is easy. We put some damp shredded newspaper--print only, no glossies--in the bin til it was 3/4 full and then put scraps on top of that. Keep them in an area where it's 55 – 77 degrees F . We followed directions such as the ones at http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/Redwormsedit.htm for how much and how often to feed them.
We replaced the soil from time to time so they would have a fresh batch to work on.
The medium has to be kept damp but not soggy, and the worms need to have close to total darkness, as well.

Another Link

[fuzzyjay.livejournal.com]

http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.html

worm box

[(Anonymous)]

Hi, I'm a lurker... I have a pretty decent worm box made from two rubbermaid-like boxes nested together. 1. Get two of the same sized box. 2. Drill holes in the bottom of one. The holes should be big enough to allow excess moisture to drip out, but small enough that your worms can't wriggle through too easily (some will get through anyway, but you want to prevent a mass exodus). 3. Drill holes in one of the lids, again small enough to keep the worms in. These holes are to let in air - very important! 4.Place the box with the holes in the bottom into the other box. Put on the holey lid. 5. Taa-daa...worm box. The compost can be harvested, dried, package and given/sold to any who might need such a thing. Also, when your worms reproduce to the point that you need to get rid of some of them you can sell the for fish bait. Do a search for vermicomposting and you will find a ton of sites that will have good tips Hope this helps. Meredith