Countertop Compost Worm Bin

Yesterday, I felt like being creative and adventuring into making a countertop compost worm bin so that I don't have to keep running outside to throw my small amounts of veggie and fruit scraps into the bigger composting worm bin.  I had these really nice square cracker containers.  I love the square look.

Anyway, I was keeping them for some kind of future use when I got the idea.  A one tier (for now) mini counter top composting worm bin.  Then, when I empty another container I can move on to the two tier container.

I wanted it to look pretty on my counter top so I spray painted it a beautiful pearl blue.

Then, cut out the top of one of the container covers, big enough to allow the second container to sit in it without slipping through to allow for the excess moisture to catch into it.

I knew I didn't want a fly population problem in there so I decided to make a lot of extremely small holes with finishing nails.  But big enough for air to pass through.  I don't even see the nats flying around that little holes.  I hate those things.   They always get up in my nose.

Anyway, I'll post the video I made at a later time.  It's kind of late at the moment and I need to get to sleep soon.

After I made the bin ready, I got some brown paper bags and an egg carton, tore them in to pieces and soaked them in water.  Squeezed out the water and placed them into the worm bin to use as bedding.  I don't even know if these are good bedding material.  The ones I had before this were coconut husks.

We'll see if this one works or not.  I gave them some food that will last a few days and grabbed a handful of worms which included some cacoons and some of their original living environment and placed them in the container.  Then covered again with some of that bedding and a damp paperbag.

Anyway, I hope these worms can survive.  I think I'm a worm fanatic.  I just can't leave them alone.  I'm amazed at the cacoons they make and the way they multiply.  I'm entranced and I actually want more of them.  Probably even thinking of getting more to turn my back yard into a worm farm.  Now that would be lovely.

Trying the Berkley Compost Pile

3 years ago, I attended a permaculture class.  During which time I learned the Berkley Compost method, but never tried it until just a week ago.  The only problem is, it rained hard and I forgot to cover my pile because from what I found out it shouldn't be too wet or else it won't be able to decompose or get hot in the middle of the pile fast enough.

And, you are supposed to turn your pile after the 4th day and then every 2 days.  My mother ended up in the hospital, so I didn't get a chance to turn my pile until 9 days had passed.

When I turned the pile, I did see that browning in the middle of the pile that is supposed to happen as the pile decomposes.  I guess I am on the right track.  I also tried to make sure I did the 2 to 1 ratio of carbon to nitrogen, not exact science, but an estimate.

I'm not sure if my pile was high enough.  I think it was supposed to be at about 3 to 4 feet high to allow for it to heat up in the center of the pile.  I know I should have taken a picture of it.  I don't plan on making a video as I hate to see myself in those.

Anyway, my pile did shrink from it's original size, so I know it's breaking down.  I even put some water from the fish tank I have into the pile to add more nitrogen to the pile.

Other than that, I plan on turning my pile today and getting some of that nitrogen on there again.

So, until next time, I'll see you all later.

Composting Worms Are Still Alive

I'm so excited.  The first week I had my worms, there wasn't much action going on in the bin.  In fact, I thought I killed them.  But, a week later, I find that they are alive and well and eating what I give them.  In fact, there are little eggs and also some baby worms in the bin.

I find you can't give them everything.  In reality, composting worms are picky eaters.

Yeah, seriously, no papaya seeds, because it's a natural de-wormer.  But, you can give them the rest of the papaya.

They want their food mashed up.  Well, obviously, they got little mouths and so it makes them eat faster if they can get some of that food ground up.  I know, how do they do in in the natural world?  Well, I want to start increasing my worm colony so whatever I can do to speed up the process is a wonderful idea.  I'm testing that.

Also, not too much onions or tomatoes.

Anyway, I enjoy my little composting worms and I want more of them because it just amazes me how they can take something and turn them into organic compost.

AWESOME!