indoor compost

My wife put together this helpful information about vermicomposting for a friend:


[I don't know why the 2nd one is sideways and I can't figure out how to change it]

I've included pictures of our bin and links I found helpful but basically this is what I did:

-Read up on vermicomposting (using worms to eat away organic matter then using their poo as great fertilizer!)

This series of short vids was great, since they described set up and then documented their failures and re-did it all.
http://ryanishungry.com/2007/03/24/apartment-composting-101-vermicompost-with-barb-finnin/ (she makes a kinda crucial descriptive mistake about depth versus width and length but a good intro nonetheless)
http://ryanishungry.com/2007/05/16/vermicomposting-jay-gives-a-worm-bin-update/ (hmmm)
http://ryanishungry.com/2007/06/16/vermicomposting-changing-the-world-1000-worms-at-a-time/ (put more of 'em to work!)
http://ryanishungry.com/2007/08/15/vermicomposting-results-barb-finnin-measures-us-up/ (oops)
http://ryanishungry.com/2007/09/14/vermicomposting-born-again-worm-bin/ (much better)
http://ryanishungry.com/2007/12/04/vermicompost-our-worm-bin-rocks/ (hooray!)


-Find a container that's waterproof and is longer and wider than it is deep. Worms will be active within the top few inches, just out of sunlight and just close enough to eat some stuff. Not deeper than 10-12".

-Vent this container (I drilled holes in all sides for drainage and airflow).

-Have something underneath to catch liquid or escapees.

-Decide how many worms you might need considering your bin size and your diet/output.

-Find a source for your worms (I called around to some bait shops after reading about different kinds of worms. None had them but luckily the Green Venture Eco House here in Hamilton had some.)

-Inside the bin I placed long strips of uncolored newspaper that had been wet and wrung for bedding. Emptied the worms and their castings (finished compost) on top (I also added soil, but learned later that some potting soils may be too harsh as well as unnecessary) and fed them.


TIPS
-After reading of some successful and unsuccessful bins, I've decided to process our waste in a blender before giving it to the worms.
-Check them daily (but they're fine with minimal to no care for days). Feed them if they've finished most everything. Don't keep it too wet (suffocation) or too dry (dessication).
-You'll get mites and wire/white worms but they're essentially a part of a healthy system.
-Covering their food with dry newspaper has kept fruit flies from laying their eggs and gives the worms some privacy while eating.
-I can tell the worms are happy and healthy when I pull off the lid and they all retreat into the dirt.
-ALWAYS wash your hands after handling (bacteria, fungus, mites).

DO NOT include the cabbage family. Some people warn against onions and garlic, and they do have a smell, but decaying Brussels sprouts give off an offensive odor. Truly.


Some Helpful Links:
http://www.nyworms.com/vermicomposting.htm
http://www.pr.uoguelph.ca/sustain/vermicompost.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/08/green-basics-vermicompost.php
http://agri.and.nic.in/vermi_culture.htm
http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.html
http://www.redwormcomposting.com/

Good Luck!