HOW TO MAKE and MAINTAIN A WORM BIN

This is a plan for a worm bed made out of wood.  I like wood because it breathes, wicks moisture and helps keep the bedding damp but not wet.

Red worms can survive a wide range of temperatures except freezing and temps above 82 degrees.  RED WORMS are at their most productive when the worm bin is at 55 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Worms need to breathe so make sure you have plenty of air holes.  Especially if you are using a rubber maid container for a bin.

Red worms need moisture but not to much.  You should be able to squeeze a couple of drops from the bedding but not a stream

Here’s a list of what you’ll need: 2 pieces 5/8″ CDX plywood (35-5/8″ x 12″) *CDX is a special type of wood, ask your parents 2 pieces 5/8″ CDX plywood (23-3/8″ x 12″) 1 piece 5/8″ CDX plywood (24″ x 36″) 38 2″ ardox nails, hammer, drill with 1/2″ bit

 

. Nail the sides together with four to six nails per side, and then nail the bottom panel on using five to seven nails per side. Then get out the drill and make 12 half-inch holes in the bottom. That’s so that air can get in and water can get out. You’ll also have to raise the bin off the floor so that air can circulate up through them.

BEDDING:

bedding can be shredded cardboard or newspapers and old leaves. We use peat moss or leaves. Fill your bin to the top with the bedding. Add some dirt.  Like chickens, worms have gizzards that help them grind up all that organic matter you are feeding them.  Only use a couple of hands full of dirt.

The basic formula for the amount of worms you will need for your bin is two pounds of worms for every one pound of organic waste per week. (a 2:1 ratio). It takes about 1,000-1,500 worms to make a pound.