Step 8 in How to Vermicompost
Ongoing Vermicomposting System Maintenance Needs
Maintain Moisture Level in the Vermicompost Bin
You will want to periodically check the bedding, to make sure it is staying moist. (Especially if you're not using a lid, but a burlap sack or similar.) If the bedding is drying out, spray lightly with water over the top.
Note: Remember, the goal is only to keep the bedding moist, not soggy (or you can damage the worms).
Feeding the Worms
The amount of food that you can give to the vermicomposting system will depend upon your family's size and eating habits. Large families that cook most meals from scratch at home will have more kitchen waste than others who frequently dine out or eat pre-prepared meals.
If, after a couple of months, you notice that food is beginning to collect, you may need to adjust by adding worms, starting an additional bin, or instead adding it to an outdoor compost pile (not to be confused with vermicomposting).
On the other hand, if food is disappearing quickly (and so is the bedding), the worms are short on food. In this case you may need to be creative in coming up with food for them.
Some creative ideas for getting extra vermicomposting scraps:
- Consider saving the coffee grounds/filters at work.
- Friends/family may be willing to save their kitchen produce odds and ends.
- Coffee shops will often make used coffee grounds available for free.
- Restaurants will sometimes save organic materials, if you provide them with a suitable health-safe container.
In three to six months, you should have a bin full of the best fertilizer your plants will ever get.
Next: See - How to Vermicompost - Step 9
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Note: the advice and information contained herein is based upon our experience and study. As with any advice, please apply at your own discretion.